Georgia Southern and Appalachian State: A Bowl Game Showdown

In the upcoming Birmingham Bowl, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State are set to face off in a rematch. Earlier in the season, the Eagles secured a narrow 25-23 victory over the Mountaineers. This bowl game is a second chance for Appalachian State to turn the tables. Georgia Southern has had a mixed season. They started slow but picked up steam, finishing with a 6-6 record. Their coach, Clay Helton, has led the team to bowl games every year, but they have yet to win one. This time, they are favored to win, but their defense has been a weak spot. Appalachian State, on the other hand, had a rocky season under new coach Dowell Loggains. They started strong but ended with a 5-7 record. They are dealing with some challenges, as their top two quarterbacks have transferred out. This leaves them with less experienced players to lead the offense.The game will take place at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, on December 29 at 2 p. m. ET. It will be broadcast on ESPN. Georgia Southern is favored by 8. 5 points, with an over/under of 59. 5 points. Georgia Southern's offense is their strong suit, led by quarterback JC French IV. He has thrown for nearly 2, 800 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. Their running back, OJ Arnold, is expected to play despite a recent injury. The defense has struggled, but they might have an easier time against Appalachian State's shorthanded offense. Appalachian State will rely on their defense to create turnovers and help their struggling offense. They have forced 18 takeaways this season. Their offense will likely focus on running the ball, with Jaquari Lewis leading the way. Despite Appalachian State's motivation to avenge their earlier loss, Georgia Southern's offensive firepower gives them the edge. Expect a close game, but Georgia Southern should come out on top.