Bowl season continues on December 26, with a matchup between Western Kentucky (5-6) and Georgia State (5-4) in the 2020 LendingTree Bowl, set to kickoff in Mobile, Alabama at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
How They Got Here: Western Kentucky
It was a difficult year for the Hilltoppers, but a bowl victory could end their season on a positive note. The team went 9-4 in 2019, the first season for head coach Tyson Helton, but never got going in the 2020 campaign. However, earning a bowl invitation is (at the very least) a moral victory, considering that the team started the season 2-6. Wins over Southern Mississippi, FIU, and Charlotte in the final three weeks got the team to 5-6, earning them a spot in the LendingTree Bowl.
Western Kentucky’s offense has struggled throughout the season, averaging just 18.8 points per game. They rank 12th out of 13 teams in the C-USA in total offense, with just 290.9 yards per game. Much of the Hilltoppers’ offense comes via the ground, as quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome has struggled (58.3 completion %, 142.3 passing yards per game). Senior Gaej Walker leads the team in carries, and has averaged 112.5 yards across the last two contests. Pigrome also boasts a bit of a ground attack himself, running for 328 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The biggest factor in the Hilltoppers’ success this season has been their defense. They ranked 4th in the C-USA in yards allowed, at 336.3 per game. During the current three-game winning streak, the defense has allowed just 15.7 points per game. Senior defensive end DeAngelo Malone is the highest-impact player on this side of the ball, with 6 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in 2020. Named a member of the All-Conference USA 1st Team for the second straight season, Malone is a projected mid-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
Western Kentucky’s defense has been incredible against the pass in 2020. They are allowing just 170.1 passing yards per game, which ranks eighth in the entire FBS. Shutting down Georgia State’s passing game will be one of the keys if the Hilltoppers wish to emerge with a second consecutive bowl victory.
How They Got Here: Georgia State
Georgia State is appearing in just their fourth bowl game ever, and the third under head coach Shawn Elliott. The Panthers’ (and Elliott’s) first-ever bowl win came against Western Kentucky in the 2017 Cure Bowl.
Georgia State is also coming into the LendingTree Bowl riding a win streak. Granted, it was only back-to-back wins, but the team had not done that all season. Georgia State is 5-4 overall, and 4-4 within the Sun Belt Conference. Their only non-conference game was a 49-29 victory over East Carolina in October. Wins over South Alabama and Georgia Southern to end the year pushed their resumé across the finish line, resulting in the bowl offer.
The team boasts an explosive offense, averaging over 33 points per game. Predicated on running the ball, the Panthers offense possesses a dynamic attack led by junior Destin Coates (652 yards, 6 touchdowns). Fellow junior Tucker Gregg is also a heavy feature of the offense, with 441 yards and 6 scores. Quarterback Cornelius Brown IV is a major part of the running game as well, and the team also gives regular carries to converted cornerback Jamyest Williams. Expect the Panthers to pound the ground with all four players in this one.
Brown, a redshirt sophomore, has accounted for 21 total touchdowns on the year. Through the air, Brown’s main target through the air is Sam Pinckney, with 753 receiving yards and 6 TDs. Fellow pass-catcher Cornelius McCoy has explosive ability, and was second on the team in receiving despite missing three games. Despite the offense’s focus on the run, there is still potential for the Panthers to connect on some big plays through the air.
Unfortunately, a horrid defense offsets the electricity of the offense. The Panthers allow 32.9 points per game, which ranked 7th in the Sun Belt. Only 10 teams in the entire FBS were worse than Georgia State at defending the pass during 2020. Despite this, they still feel confident, especially considering their effort in the games leading up to this one. The Panthers’ defense has allowed an average of just 18.3 points across their previous three games. In that same span, they’ve allowed only 464 total passing yards.
Gambling Picks and Predictions
Georgia State is a 3.5-point favorite, with an over/under of 51. Our odds are provided by our friends at BUSR. If you’d like to get in on the action, visit busr.com/studentunionsports.
This should be a fantastic game. Both teams rely primarily on their rushing attack, so expect to see a lot of handoffs in this one. In addition, Georgia State has one of the worse defenses in the nation. The Panthers also rank 35th in the nation in points per game offensively, so Western Kentucky’s normally stout defense will have a lot to handle. We could potentially see a lot of points in this game. I’m taking the over in this one.
Tyrrell Pigrome and the Hilltopper offense have struggled to move the ball through the air all year long. If the Panthers can get a lead early, they should be in a good position to win this one.
Score Prediction: Georgia State 34-24 Western Kentucky