In now its fifth season, the Cure Bowl has never been decided by single digits. This Saturday in Orlando, the 7-5 Liberty Flames and 7-5 Georgia Southern Eagles look to change that narrative. While both teams have emerged on the FBS stage recently, Georgia Southern does have two bowl game wins under its belt. This will be Liberty’s first bowl game appearance in its first bowl-eligible season at the FBS level.
How they got here: Liberty Flames
As mentioned before, this is the Flames’ first FBS season with bowl eligibility. Head coach Hugh Freeze went from coaching games in a hospital bed to a solid 7-5 record in his first season. Although it was a solid first season, the Flames really only had one impressive win which came over Buffalo. Their tough opponents (Syracuse, UL-Lafayette, Rutgers, BYU, Virginia) all resulted in losses by a touchdown or more. Also, two of their wins came over 2-10 New Mexico State.
Although the resume may not be college football playoff ready, the Flames do feature a very fun offense. QB Stephen “Buckshot” Calvert finished the season 12th in passing yards in the country with 3,393 yards and first in the nation with the best nickname. He also tossed 26 touchdowns to just five interceptions in an impressive senior campaign. His favorite target, Antonio Gandy-Golden, is one of my favorite draft prospects at the wide receiver position. He was third in the nation with 1,333 yards receiving, adding nine touchdowns. His 6 foot 4, 220-pound frame has been virtually impossible to stop this season. Buckshot and Gandy-Golden have led the Flames to 442.5 yards per game and 33.7 points per game.
On defense, it’s been a little bit rough for the Flames. They allow 422.5 yards per game, 88th in the nation. The key for them will be forcing turnovers. Liberty’s defense had 11 interceptions this season and is led by senior CB Bejour Wilson, who has three. Against a very run-heavy offense in Georgia Southern, this defense has to be better than their putrid 192.7 rushing yards allowed per game.
How they got here: Georgia Southern Eagles
The Eagles have had good success since jumping to the FBS level after winning six national championships at the FCS level. Georgia Southern won the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl over Bowling Green and last season’s Camellia Bowl over Eastern Michigan, giving them a 2-0 bowl game record. This season, the Eagles’ biggest win came over App State on the road, handing the Mountaineers their first and only loss of the season. It has been a streaky season for Georgia Southern, but they ended the season on a high note with a 38-10 victory over rival Georgia State.
If you love the triple option, this is a great team to watch. QB Shai Werts is electric with his legs, running for 676 yards and five touchdowns on the season. He threw the ball just seven times in the Camellia Bowl last season and expect more of the same this time around. Werts is flanked by two solid running backs in J.D. King and Wesley Kennedy III, each going for over 700 yards and a combined 18 touchdowns. This triple-headed attack lands the Eagles as the 8th best running attack in college football.
Georgia Southern’s defense relies on getting off the field on third down. The Eagles don’t get to the quarterback much, nor force many turnovers. Against a high-scoring Liberty offense, this could be problematic.
Player to Watch: Liberty
A guy I have not mentioned yet for Liberty is RB Frankie Hickson. Hickson is coming off a game against New Mexico State where he ran for 196 yards and four touchdowns. Hickson ran for 921 yards this season, just 79 yards away from 1,000. Expect him to be hungry to eclipse that number for the second straight season. Georgia Southern’s rush defense has some holes, and Hickson will find them.
Player to Watch: Georgia Southern
It’s not often you get to pick an offensive lineman for a player to watch, but it has to be for this Eagles team. Not only is the offensive line important in a triple-option attack, but Drew Wilson’s story is amazing. Wilson is up for the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year award after missing all of last season with a detached retina that left him legally blind in his right eye. After four surgeries, Wilson returned to action this season and retook his starting right tackle job and has been a huge part of Georgia Southern’s success this season. If you need something or someone to root for, go no further than RT Drew Wilson.
Gambling Picks (GA So. -4, O/U 58.5)
First and foremost, hammer the over. Liberty’s offense is off the charts and don’t let the triple-option fool you- Georgia Southern still averages 29.2 points per game. With two bad defenses, both teams should eclipse 30 points. As for the other pick, I’ve gone back and forth a few times. I’m going to settle with Liberty +4. The Flames’ offense will look to get going early and often, and the Eagles are not equipped to play from behind. This is the first-ever bowl game for Liberty and you know Hugh Freeze will get the boys going. Take the Flames to cover and even sprinkle a little moneyline if you’re feeling zesty.