Saturday will provide a day of firsts in the college football world. For the first time, the city of Orlando will host a third bowl game, the AutoNation Care Bowl. However, more important is the fact that the Georgia State Panthers get the chance to play in a bowl game for the first time. Their foes are the San Jose State Spartans, who will be the first 5-7 team to play in a bowl game in college football history.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
San Jose State Spartans -5
Georgia State Panthers +5
Over/Under 56
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Sun Belt has never had a great history in bowl games, and that's why the Panthers, particularly in their first bowl game are underdogs in this one. However, San Jose State opened at -5 and has already moved down to -3 as of the publication of this article.
The total opened at 56 and has stayed consistent in the AutoNation Care Bowl.
KEY MISMATCH
There's really a pivotal mismatch on both sides of the ball in this game, and in both cases, we're talking about the running game.
Georgia State's offense averages just 103.1 rushing yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry. Nobody rushed for more than 334 yards this season, and the team totaled just 15 rushing touchdowns.
However, San Jose State allows 215.6 rushing yards per game, ranking No. 109 in the land. Sure, the Spartans have the second best pass defense, but part of the reason for that is because there was no need to throw against them.
If the Spartans aren't able to slow down the run in this one, they're going to get run out of Orlando just as they did in so many games this season.
KEY STAT
0 – The number of points the Spartans have allowed in the first quarter of their last two games combined. They've had problems later on in games, notably on the ground in the second half. However, they've been great in the first quarters of games in recent weeks, something that could come into play at the Care Bowl.
BETTING ANGLE
Georgia State has been one of the best ATS teams in the land since the middle of October. The Panthers are 5-2 SU and 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven games overall, including a 34-7 upset of Georgia Southern as 20.5-point underdogs.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Tyler Irvin could end up being the crucial player in this game. He ran for 1,469 yards and 13 TDs this year, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He's got the best talent amongst any of the skill players in this game.
Georgia State isn't really able to take advantage of the massive deficiency which the Spartans have on the ground. Nick Arbuckle will need to have the game of his life under center to lead the Panthers to a win in their first ever bowl game. We just don't see him doing so against a San Jose State team which has a history of being dominant in bowl games, winning its last three tries.
San Jose State 31, Georgia State 21
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The duel between the San Jose State Spartans and the Georgia State Panthers will take place at the Florida Citrus Bowl on Saturday, December 19, 2015. This 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff can be seen live on CBS Sports Network.
