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Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston Prediction & Odds Tonight: New Orleans Bowl Picks

Rob Paul

Last Updated: December 19, 2024 2:55 PM EST • 3 min 54 sec read.

Sam Houston State Bearkats quarterback Hunter Watson passes the ball as we make our Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston State prediction for the New Orleans Bowl.
Sam Houston State Bearkats quarterback Hunter Watson (10) passes the ball. Photo by Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Familiar Group of Five foes Georgia Southern and Sam Houston square off tonight in the New Orleans Bowl. Kickoff from the Caesars Superdome is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2).

Our Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston predictions expect the Eagles to have a leg-up on their opponents after the Bearkats lost head coach K.C. Keeler to Temple and multiple starters to the transfer portal.

The best college football betting sites list Georgia Southern as a 3.5-point favorite due to minimal turnover within the Eagles' ranks.

Our college football bowl game opt-out tracker has you covered with the latest opt-out news and the impact on the college bowl game odds.

Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston prediction & best pick: New Orleans Bowl

College football picks based on the odds from our best college football betting sites. Odds subject to change.

  • Against the spread pick: Georgia Southern -4.5 () vs. Sam Houston ⭐⭐⭐
  • My best pick: Jalen White Over 67.5 rushing yards (-114 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Georiga Southern vs. Sam Houston ATS prediction

Georgia Southern to cover the spread: -4.5 ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -114 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 53.27%

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It's not hyperbolic to say Keeler is the reason Sam Houston is in the FBS. He took over the program in 2014 when Willie Fritz left for Georgia Southern - there are a lot of connections between these two programs - and proceeded to go 85-27 with an FCS championship in the nine seasons before the program moved up. 

Keeler then bounced back from going 3-9 in the Bearcats' first FBS season to go 9-3 this year. But now he's gone north to Temple, and Sam Houston has eight starters and six other key players in the portal. That includes the one-two punch of running backs Jay Ducker and DJ McKinney, the engines for this offense.

Whether they play is up in the air, but regardless, without Keeler, things could be dicey for the Bearcats. Offensive coordinator Brad Cornelson is serving as interim head coach, yet, he's expected to remain in the box calling plays for an offense that was just 116th in .

Fly Eagles fly

It could be even tougher for this defense without Keeler. It's the biggest reason Sam Houston found success this season, but six starters from Keeler's side of the ball are in the portal.

Meanwhile, the Eagles are 60th in behind the efficient play of QB JC French and the talented pass-catching trio of Derwin Burgess Jr., Dalen Cobb, and Josh Dallas. Plus, running back Jalen White is the team's top NFL prospect.

Clay Helton's squad is pretty much fully intact and that's going to be the difference against a Sam Houston program that just hired fired Wisconsin OC Phil Longo as head coach. If Georgia Southern can take advantage and cover, a $10 bet pays an $8.77 profit.

Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston best pick

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Jalen White Over 67.5 rushing yards ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -114 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 53.27%

Given Georgia Southern's history running the triple option, nobody loves an explosive running back as much as the good folks in Statesboro, Ga. While Helton has taken the offense in a more modern direction, he's still leaned on his running game to be the difference.

That's why White is fourth in school history in rushing yards at the FBS level (2,926) and is poised to climb the rankings against Sam Houston. After a slow start to the season, the senior has run for Over 67.5 rushing yards in four of his last eight games.

When he's fed, he's produced this season - he's averaging 111 rushing yards when given 14-plus carries - and I expect Helton to ride him against a Bearcats D that could be without six key front seven players. If White hits the Over, a $10 bet pays an $8.77 profit.

Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston odds

See all of this week's college football odds and NCAAF scores.

Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston live odds

Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston opening odds:

  • Georgia Southern: -5.5 (-110)
  • Sam Houston: +5.5 (-110)

Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston odds movement

Georgia Southern opened as a 5.5-point favorite at standard juice with most of the best sportsbooks. Sam Houston was always in a hole with the departures of Keeler and over half a dozen starters. As such, it was surprising to see the line swing back the Bearkats' way earlier in the week.

As kickoff inched closer, the public began to back the Eagles. 81% of moneyline bets and 60% of spread tickets at BetMGM have come in on Georgia Southern in this contest. The line has settled anywhere between -3.5 to -4.5 in favor of the Eagles in the hours leading up to the New Orleans Bowl.

Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston injuries

New Orleans Bowl game info

  • When: Thursday, Dec. 19
  • Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
  • Where: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans
  • How to watch: ESPN2
  • Weather: Indoors

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Written By:
Rob Paul
Rob is a Publishing Editor at Sportsbook Review. He’s been with the team since early 2024, with this being his first full-time role in the sports betting industry. Before joining 520ccc.com, he contributed to various sports outlets, including FanSided and Pro Football Network. During that period, he spent five years working full-time as a local community journalist, after attending Durham College for journalism and Wilfrid Laurier University for history. He previously hosted an NFL draft and college football-focused podcast where he had the opportunity to interact with future NFL players such as Maxx Crosby and Quinn Meinerz. Rob has spent multiple years working as a freelance podcast producer for numerous sports-related podcasts while making guest appearances on several college football shows. He’s also made guest appearances on SportsTalk Mississippi on several occasions to talk all things NFL draft. Rob values the way sports betting acts as a catalyst for telling stories and growing interest in certain sports, particularly FCS football, WNBA, and mid-major college basketball. He’s always been drawn to the more obscure teams and conferences in major college sports, but most of all, Rob loves using stats to find the best player props to back.