Saturday’s Bowl Game Previews with Updated Player Opt Outs

It’s a college football fan’s paradise. Seven bowl games spanning an entire Saturday just before the Christmas holiday. It’s like Christmas came early if you enjoy college football bowl games. We’ve mentioned that betting on these games can be challenging. Making it even more difficult are the number of players that have decided to forgo their teams’ bowl games for whatever reason. Here’s an updated look at this Saturday’s seven bowl games and players that have decided not to play.

76 BIRMINGHAM BOWL – Dec. 23

Troy vs. Duke

Both Troy and Duke will have interim head coaches for this game. The Trojans have won 10 straight, but the best team they played was probably Appalachian State. They also lost to a very good Kansas State team 42-13. Duke went 7-5 but played against some tougher competition in the ACC. The problem for the Blue Devils is they won’t have starting QB Riley Leonard, starting RB Jordan Waters, and several others. That may help even out any advantage Duke may have had. The Blue Devils only won two of their final six games of the season.

Players opting out for Troy:

• None

Players opting out for Duke:

• Aeneas Peebles, DL (Transfer portal)
• Charlie Ham, K (Transfer portal)
• Jaden Watkins, CB (Transfer portal)
• Jordan Waters, RB (Transfer portal)
• Riley Leonard, QB (Transfer portal)

CAMELLIA BOWL – Dec. 23

Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois

It’s a pair of 6-6 teams trying to end their season on a high note. Arkansas State hasn’t been affected by the transfer portal, but NIU lost its starting center Pete Nygra and its best edge rusher, George Gombs. The Red Wolves have one of the worst defenses in the nation giving up an average of 31.2 points per game. NIU is the exact opposite. The Huskies rank as the best Group of 5 pass defense, allowing just 164.6 passing yards per game. Arkansas State starts a freshman, Jaylen Raynor, at quarterback. 

Players opting out for Arkansas State:

• None

Players opting out for Northern Illinois:

• Devin Lafayette, S (Transfer portal)
• Trayvon Rudolph, WR (Transfer portal)
• Trey Urwiler, WR (Transfer portal)
• Pete Nygra, C (Transfer portal)
• George Gumbs, DE (Transfer portal)

LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL – Dec. 23

James Madison vs. Air Force

It’s a matchup of two elite defenses, though JMU has seen an exodus of players and coaches leave the program. Curt Cignetti is now the new head coach at Indiana and several members of his staff are going with him. Starting QB Jordan McCloud entered the transfer portal. Air Force started the season 8-0 but has lost their last four games. The Falcons are second in the nation in rushing (275.8 yards per game) going up against the No. 1-ranked run defense in the country. JMU allowed just 2.1 yards per carry and 61.5 rushing yards per game.  To see our free pick for this game click here

Players opting out for James Madison:

• Mikail Kamara, EDGE (Transfer portal)
• Jordan McCloud, QB (Transfer portal)

Players opting out for Air Force:

• Caleb Rillos, TE (Transfer portal)
• Mason Carlan, OT (Transfer portal)

FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL – Dec. 23

Georgia State vs. Utah State

Georgia State’s starting lineup will look nothing like it did during the regular season. Injuries and the transfer portal will change up everything for a team that lost its last five straight games. Leading rusher Marcus Carroll is gone as well as OT Montavious Cunningham, the Panthers best offensive lineman. Utah State will start Levi Williams at quarterback and he should have a field day against one of the worst secondaries in the country. GSU ranks 115th in EPA per pass against and 112th in opponent passing success rate. FCS opponent Rhode Island threw for 408 yards and four touchdowns against the Panthers.

Players opting out for Georgia State:

• Jaquan Dixon, RB (Transfer portal)
• Jalen Tate, S (Transfer portal)
• Marcus Carroll, RB (Transfer portal)
• Montavious Cunningham, OT (Transfer portal)
• Rico Arnold, WR (Transfer portal)
• Robert Lewis, WR (Transfer portal)
• Tony McCray, CB (Transfer portal)

Players opting out for Utah State:

• Devin Dye, S (Transfer portal)
• Spencer Petras, QB (Transfer portal)

68 VENTURES BOWL – Dec. 23

South Alabama vs. Eastern Michigan

EMU has one of the better defenses among Group of 5 teams, but they will be without Alex Merritt and possibly LB Chase Kline. South Alabama enters the game favored by 17 points, but their starting quarterback, running back, and their top wide receiver may not play. QB Carter Bradley has a knee injury. RB La’Damian Webb isn’t mentioned in any of the pre-game notes or the Jaguars depth chart and Caullin Lacy entered the transfer portal and has already committed to Louisville. With its best players on the field, South Alabama went 1-4 ATS in its final five games.

Players opting out for South Alabama:

• Caullin Lacy, WR, QB (Transfer portal)
• Gavin Forsha, LB (Transfer portal) 

Players opting out for Eastern Michigan:

• Alex Merritt, DL (Transfer portal)
• Zack Conti, OT (Transfer portal)

SRS DISTRIBUTION LAS VEGAS BOWL – Dec. 23

Utah vs. Northwestern

Utah was struggling at the end of the season and now have to field a bowl team with a roster that has been shredded by the transfer portal. QB Bryson Barnes is gone as is backup QB Nate Johnson. RB Sione Vaki declared for the NFL draft and the Utes lost three of their last five games. Northwestern (7-5) wasn’t even supposed to be here after the whole coaching change that took place during the summer. The Wildcats won their last three games in a row with one of the better defenses in the FBS. Northwestern ranks No. 28 against the pass allowing just 182.83 passing yards per game.

Players opting out for Utah:

• Bryson Barnes, QB (Transfer portal)
• Faybian Marks, LB (Transfer portal)
• Jocelyn Malaska, CB (Transfer portal)
• Justin Medlock, LB (Transfer portal)
• Kenzel Lawler, CB (Transfer portal)
• Owen Chambliss, LB (Transfer portal)
• Jadon Pearson, S (Transfer portal)

Players opting out for Northwestern:

• Matt Lawson, DL (Transfer portal)
• Nigel Williams, CB (Transfer portal)

EASYPOST HAWAI’I BOWL – Dec. 23

Coastal Carolina vs. San Jose State

San Jose State enters the Hawaii Bowl on a tear. The Spartans won their last six games of the season in a row after starting 1-5. The transfer portal really hasn’t affected the Spartans that much, but it has for Coastal Carolina. The most notable name is QB Grayson McCall who has already found a new home at NC State. QB Jarrett Guest is also gone and that means third-string quarterback Ethan Vasko will start. The Chanticleers went 7-5 this season, but four of their losses were to bowl teams. Coastal’s run defense could be the difference. The Chanticleers rank 115th in opponent rushing success rate. The Spartans are a top-30 rushing offense led by QB Chevan Cordeiro.

Players opting out for Coastal Carolina:

• Bailey Carraway, LB (Transfer portal)
• Braylon Ryan, EDGE (Transfer portal)
• CJ Beasley, RB (Transfer portal)
• Chris Rhone, WR (Transfer portal)
• Grayson McCall, QB (Transfer portal)
• Jarrett Guest, QB (Transfer portal)
• Jared Brown, WR (Transfer portal)
• JT Killen, LB (Transfer portal)
• Kaleb Hutchinson, S (Transfer portal)
• Laurence Sullivan, CB (Transfer portal)
• Mason Bowers, OT (Transfer portal)
• Tavyn Jackson, S (Transfer portal)

San Jose State

• Brandon Alvarez, WR (Transfer portal)
• Dominick Mazotti, TE (Transfer portal)