How We Got Here: 

Georgia Southern: Expectations were low entering the 2022 season for the Eagles. They were expected to be at the bottom of the pack of the Sun Belt West, behind sturdier programs like Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina, and behind popular sleeper picks like Marshall and Georgia State. Clay Helton took over the reins of the program and shifted away from decades of flexbone tradition; you didn’t even have to leave the state to find a high-profile example of that exact schematic transition taking years.

Instead, the RPO spread offense was electric. Georgia Southern finished 35th in offensive SP+. Quarterback Kyle Vantrease transferred from these Buffalo Bulls and put up video game numbers, distributing the ball to a host of explosive playmakers at the skill positions. The defense was a nightmare, however. The Eagles earned their bowl eligibility by winning shootouts, most notably over Nebraska (45-42), James Madison (45-38), and Appalachian State (51-48). 

Buffalo: In head coach Maurice Linguist’s second year at the helm, the Bulls are back in a bowl game after a hectic up-and-down season. Buffalo started the season 0-3, dropping games to Maryland, Holy Cross, and Coastal Carolina before winning five straight, putting the Bulls in first place in their division. They were staring a MAC title appearance in the face and then the wheels fell off. They lost to eventual MAC runner-up Ohio, a lowly Central Michigan squad, and a disappointing Kent State team.

The Bulls needed to beat Akron to gain bowl eligibility, and it wasn’t as easy as they thought it was going to be. Akron led 16-0 early in the second quarter, but, led by quarterback Cole Snyder, Buffalo came back and knocked off the Zips 23-22. 

Keys to the Game:

Georgia Southern: Hold serve. The Eagles are going to give up points, that much is inevitable – especially without their best defensive player in cornerback Derrick Canteen, who has entered the transfer portal. In order to stay ahead of the pace, they need to maximize their possessions into touchdowns. Self-inflicted wounds such as turnovers, penalties, or red zone drives that end in field goals will allow a lesser Buffalo offense to stay score-for-score with them. 

Buffalo: The Bulls need to stick with what they know if they want to win this one: run the ball and play good pass defense. Ever since running backs Ron Cook Jr. and Al-Jay Henderson went down with injury, Buffalo has only one healthy starting running back in Mike Washington. Cole Snyder is an adequate quarterback, but the run game needs to get going. Georgia Southern’s defense allows 240 yards on the ground per game so Washington should get plenty of chances to make an impact. On the other side of the ball, Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease has been incredible. The Bulls only allow 216.2 passing yards per game and have to try to contain Vantrease. If they can do that, the offense should be able to control the game and put up points.

Players to Watch:

Georgia Southern:

#6 QB Kyle Vantrease — What, you thought I wasn’t going to select the player who has starred on both of these teams? Vantrease racked up 3,901 yards and 25 touchdowns – coincidentally, the exact number of scores he had tossed while wearing a Bulls uniform for five years. He did so by feeding a quartet of talented receivers: Jeremy Singleton and Derwin Burgess Jr. out wide, and Khaleb Hood and Amare Jones operating in the slot (although Burgess and Jones will miss the bowl due to injury).

#25 RB Jalen White — The colorfully-named backfield of White, Gerald Green, and AJ Brown put the “R” in the RPO offense, and White in particular has proven to be an explosive weapon in Clay Helton’s offense. He accounted for 1,131 yards from scrimmage on the season and scored 11 times, rushing for 5.6 yards per carry.

Buffalo:

#10 S Marcus Fuqua — Marcus Fuqua was the FBS leader in interceptions in the regular season with seven, and you can be sure he’ll be hunting for his eighth against former teammate Vantrease. Fuqua is an absolute ball hawk, also recording two fumble recoveries and five pass breakups. Not to mention that he’s fourth on the team with 60 total tackles. Look out for #10 to be all over the field in this game.

#27 RB Mike Washington — Washington was mentioned earlier and for good reason. With Cook and Henderson possibly sidelined, this could be Washington’s breakout game on a national stage. He’s proven earlier in the season that he can put up big numbers when he collected 155 yards and two touchdowns against Bowling Green, with one of those touchdowns going for 92 yards. If Washington can find some holes in the Eagles defense, he could help the Bulls pull off the upset.  

Score Predictions:

Dave: This is tricky because I think the game stays close in the first half, but I don’t think Buffalo has enough offensive firepower to win this one. Give me Georgia Southern to win the Camellia Bowl. Georgia Southern 31, Buffalo 20.

Dan: Buffalo is able to stay competitive, but Georgia Southern’s offense becomes too much in the end. Georgia Southern 38, Buffalo 23.