Buffalo vs Marshall: Camellia Bowl prediction and game preview.
Buffalo vs Marshall: Camellia Bowl Broadcast
Date: Friday, December 25
Game Time: 2:30 pm ET
Venue: Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL
Network: ESPN
– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions
Buffalo (5-1) vs Marshall (7-2) Game Preview
For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM
Three Reasons Why You Should Watch The Camellia Bowl
– No matter what, Buffalo is going to bring the running game. Forget the massive disappointment in the MAC Championship loss to Ball State, the Bulls have one of the most fun and dynamic backfields in all of college football. Jaret Patterson ran for 1,072 yards and 19 touchdowns in just six games, but he hurt his foot in the conference title game. He’s a go – even if he’s banged up – and Kevin Marks is another dangerous back who can make the offense work.
– No matter what, Marshall is going to bring the defense. Forget the massive disappointment in the Conference USA loss to UAB, the Thundering Herd are still No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense and No. 3 overall in total D.
– Buffalo won its first bowl game in the program’s history last season, and Marshall head coach Doc Holliday lost his first after going 6-0. Both of these teams should’ve been conference champs, they both have a few NFL talents, and they’re both going to bring the energy in what should be a low-scoring, but tough battle.
Why Buffalo, Marshall Will Win
What’s Going to Happen, Prediction, History
NEXT: Why Buffalo Will Win, Why Marshall Will Win, Buffalo vs Marshall Prediction
Why Buffalo Will Win
– The Marshall offense has gone bye-bye. It’s been just fine against the mediocre teams – it blew up just fine against UMass and Middle Tennessee – but it stopped against Rice and never got going in the Conference USA Championship loss to UAB. The Thundering Herd O hasn’t hit 270 yards in either of the last two games, and …
– The Buffalo D can at least get into the backfield. It’s not a rock, but it’s good enough on third downs to get off the field, and it has enough of pass rush to be a bother. The offensive side doesn’t turn the ball over on a regular basis, and this is the game for the defense to come up with a slew of big takeaways. Marshall turned it over five times against Rice, and has given it up multiple times in three of the last six games.
– The Buffalo offensive line is terrific. The running game stalled against Ball State, but it still leads the nation averaging 310 yards per game helped by an offensive front that doesn’t allow a thing behind the line. UB leads the nation in fewest sacks allowed – partly because it doesn’t throw a lot – and it also leads the way in fewest tackles for loss allowed.
Why Marshall Will Win
– The run defense has to take over. The Appalachian State running game that set records in the Myrtle Beach Bowl against North Texas was held to 96 yards. No one was able to get to 100 yards on the ground until Rice did it, and it only came up with 127 yards. Even after the last two games, the Herd still lead the nation in scoring defense and are third in total D.
– The offense really is better than it showed over the last two weeks. It hit a bit of a wall against Rice and UAB, but the passing game has the weapons to do a whole lot more, and the offensive line is great against decent pass rushes. Buffalo can throw a little bit, but if it has to, it’s getting away from what works.
– The Bull secondary isn’t all that great. It didn’t face a whole lot of high-octane passing games, but it still gave up over 200 yards through the air in four of the six games. Marshall freshman Grant Wells had a rough run over the last two games – completing just 26-of-58 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns with five picks – but when he’s on, the offense can do just enough to do enough to let the defensive side take care of the rest.
NEXT: What’s Going To Happen, Buffalo vs Marshall Prediction, Camellia Bowl History
What’s Going To Happen
As a program, Marshall went on a 12-1 bowl run before losing last year to UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl. However, under Doc Holliday, Marshall lost the game game before winning the bowl four times. The team has been able to make adjustments.
Buffalo should’ve won the 2018 MAC Championship – just like it should’ve this year – didn’t, and then struggled in a loss to Troy in the Dollar General.
Does history actually matter at all? Not really, but the Marshall coaching staff knows how to get a team ready.
Both of these teams should’ve been respective conference champions, and both have the playmakers to take over if the other team doesn’t have its game.
Marshall might be struggling offensively, but the defense has still been a rock. It’s not going to slow down UB to a dead stop, but it’ll do just enough to not get gouged, and the offensive side will pick it up the production just enough to get by in a battle.
Camellia Bowl: Buffalo vs Marshall Prediction, Line
Marshall 23, Buffalo 20
Bet on Buffalo vs Marshall with BetMGM
Buffalo -4.5, o/u: 54
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
– CFN Experts Picks: Camellia Bowl
Must See Rating: 4
5: New Year’s Day on the couch
1: New Year’s Eve going out
Camellia Bowl History
Dec. 21, 2019 Arkansas State 34, FIU 26
Dec. 15, 2018 Georgia Southern 23, Eastern Michigan 21
Dec. 16, 2017 Middle Tennessee 35, Arkansas State 30
Dec. 17, 2016 Appalachian State 31, Toledo 28
Dec. 19, 2015 Appalachian State 31 Ohio 29
Dec. 20, 2014 Bowling Green 33 South Alabama 28
