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Free Prediction: South Alabama vs. Bowling Green Gambling Spreads & Camellia Bowl Preview

Jaguars vs Falcons Pick

NCAA Football Bowl Season betting action sees the South Alabama Jaguars taking on the Bowling Green Falcons on Saturday December 20th at the Cramton Bowl in Birmingham, AL. Cappers Picks provides free college football handicapping tips all season long.

NCAA Football Wagering

South Alabama vs Bowling Green
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 20, 9:15 pm EST
Venue: Cramton Bowl, Birmingham AL
Broadcast: ESPN
South Alabama -3, Bowling Green +3
Over/Under: 54.5
***2014 CFB BONUSES***
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Click here to view… NCAAF Betting Stats & NCAAF Handicapping Insight!

One of the first match-ups of the 2014 bowl season features the number four Sun Belt Conference team (South Alabama) against a Bowling Green team that finished tops in the MAC East division. The Falcons season had tons of optimism initially, but the injury to their starting QB leaves them in a marginal bowl.

Hey, at least they’re bowling during the holiday season.

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Bowling Green (7-6) was supposed to be the best team in the entire MAC this season, but star QB Matt Johnson suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1. Consequently, it’s been a pretty gutty campaign for the Falcons.

Without Johnson, BGSU’s vaunted offense has slowed down considerably; the defense was never much to write home about. Thus, the Falcons have had some ugly outings, such as a 51-17 loss to Northern Illinois in their last game on Dec. 5.

Bowling Green’s defense ranks 109th in scoring defense, truly pathetic even when accounting for the Falcons playing the unstoppable rush attack of Wisconsin in Week 4. The Falcons had the best offense in the MAC in 2013 under Johnson’s stewardship; without him this year they’ve dropped to 63rd nationally. They miss him, to be sure.

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South Alabama (6-6) was only just bowl eligible, and might’ve been nudged in with the announcement of bowl-eligible UAB cancelling its football program.

The in-state brethren gets the nod and if the Jags are going to win in their home state, they’ll need a dynamic game from senior WR Shavarez Smith. The veteran has 714 yards and eight majors on the season, he’s one of South Alabama’s true offensive threats.

The relative newcomer to FBS also relies on a balanced rushing attack provided by a two-headed monster at RB. Senior power back Kendall Houston (652 yards) and speedy freshman Xavier Johnson (417 yards, 5.6 yards per carry) can gather chunks carrying the ball, though they only have a touchdown each.

Basically, when the Jaguars are successful they rely on their defense. They earned a nice win against a good Texas State team on Nov. 15, which offers some hope. They should also be up for this game, being the program’s first ever bowl game and with plenty of fans in attendance, bound to make the trip north from Mobile.

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Despite South Alabama having a few players and being in a recruiting hotbed, I like Bowling Green in this game. Hopefully the presence of senior QB Johnson inspires the Falcons to win in what is fully a road game for this team.

NCAAF Trends

* Under is 18-7-1 in USA last 26 games on fieldturf.
* Under is 20-8-1 in USA last 29 games overall.
* Under is 6-2 in BGSU last 8 games overall.
* Under is 6-2 in BGSU last 8 games on fieldturf.

4* Free Play On Bowling Green 21, South Alabama 17

I believe the books favoring South Alabama slightly is due to the fact the game is being played in Birmingham, but I think even with James Knapke under center instead of Johnson, Bowling Green has a superior team.

Check out our Updated CFB Bowl Game Odds.

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By James Hayes

James has been naming every player on the EA Sports video game rosters for half a decade now, he’s finally putting his knowledge to better use writing for us here at CappersPicks.com. Your comments are welcome below…Give Us Your Take!