New Orleans Bowl Preview: Georgia Southern Eagles vs. Sam Houston Bearkats – Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024

The Georgia Southern Eagles (8-4) and Sam Houston Bearkats (9-3) will go at it in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Thursday, December 19 at 7:00 PM ET and will be held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Eagles come in favored with a point spread at -6.0 (-110).

Georgia Southern Eagles Betting Preview

The Eagles have won their last two games and aim to cap off their season on a high note. Their latest win was a 29-20 battle with the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

They accumulated a 15-6 lead going into the half and finished the game off with a strong fourth quarter performance of 14 points. JC French completed 16 of 19 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown, while Jalen White put up a phenomenal performance of 18 carries totaling 125 yards and three touchdowns.

Their offense had 357 yards and 23 first downs, but they allowed the Mountaineers to get 465 yards and 25 first downs. Regardless of the yardages, the Eagles were able to make more significant gains on plays that mattered most.

The Eagles rank 65th in the country for establishing 28.2 points a game. On defense they rank 84th in giving up 27.3 points to opponents. This margin of victory is slim, so they cannot afford any big mistakes.

Sam Houston Bearkats Betting Preview

The Bearkats have had plenty of close calls this season, but have somehow found a way to be on the better side of them for a majority of their games. Their latest battle was a 20-18 victory over the Liberty Flames.

They had a 17-2 lead midway through the second quarter before allowing the Flames to make a run late. Hunter Watson completed 19 of 33 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns, but did throw it away once for an interception. Simeon Evans recorded six receptions for 83 yards and two pivotal touchdowns (both in the second quarter).

Possession time was key here, as the Bearkats controlled the pace for a little over 35 minutes. They also had more yards than the Flames, at 333 compared to 262.

The Bearkats are averaging 23.2 points a game, ranking 102nd in the nation. Their defense has allowed 20.0 points a game to opponents, which puts them at 19th. If their offense could bump up a little, this would give them a better margin of safety.

Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick

MyBookie showcases the best R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl odds, which currently has the Eagles as six-point favorites. On top of that, market insights predict the Eagles have a 60.0 percent chance of winning.

The Bearkats rank 130th (out of 134th) for their strength of schedule, compared to the Eagles at 76th. The Eagles are in a good position to win and cover the spread.

Final Pick: Georgia Southern Eagles -6.0 (-110)

Note: This pick and article has been written by one of our Spooky Express writers. This is NOT the legendary “Spooky Express Bowling for Dollars Picks”. Those picks can be found in the link posted above, normally on the day of the bowl game. Leverage the knowledge of seasoned pro “Spooky” and elevate your sports betting experience to a new level!