The South Alabama Jaguars are looking for their first bowl victory in program history. The Eastern Michigan Eagles are looking for their third bowl win in school history. Let’s preview this game and give out a 68 Ventures Bowl South Alabama Jaguars vs Eastern Michigan Eagles prediction.

South Alabama Jaguars Betting Preview 

The South Alabama Jaguars beat Arkansas State and Marshall to become bowl eligible, but they most recently lost to Texas State. Carter Bentley is completing 67.8 percent of his passes for 2,660 yards, 19 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Caullin Lacy and Jamaal Pritchett have combined for 2,071 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, while DJ Thomas-Jones has 24 receptions. The South Alabama Jaguars ground game is averaging 160 yards per contest, and La’Damian Webb leads the way with 1,007 yards and 16 touchdowns. Defensively, South Alabama is allowing 21.9 points and 326.4 yards per game. Quentin Wilfawn leads the South Alabama Jaguars with 81 tackles, Brock Higdon has 3 sacks and Jaden Voisin has 4 interceptions.

South Alabama Jaguars Team Facts

• South Alabama has won each of its last four matches at Hancock Whitney Stadium when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• South Alabama has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
• South Alabama has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
• South Alabama has won the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
• Four of South Alabama’s last five games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

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Eastern Michigan Eagles Betting Preview 

The Eastern Michigan Eagles are coming off wins over Akron and Buffalo to become bowl eligible. Austin Smith is completing 57.4 percent of his passes for 1,775 yards, 9 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Tanner Knue and JB Mitchell III have combined for 877 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Hamze El-Zayat has 25 receptions. The Eastern Michigan Eagles ground game is averaging 115 yards per contest, and Samson Evans leads the way with 635 yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively, Eastern Michigan is allowing 24 points and 382.7 yards per game. Joe Sparacio leads the Eastern Michigan Eagles with 134 tackles, Mikah Coleman has 4.5 sacks and Bennett Walker has 3 interceptions.

Eastern Michigan Eagles Team Facts

• Eastern Michigan has won three of its last four matches as an underdog when playing with a rest advantage.
• Eastern Michigan has covered the spread in 11 of its last 14 games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Each of Eastern Michigan’s last five December games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

South Alabama Jaguars vs Eastern Michigan Eagles prediction

I’m not excited to lay these sorts of numbers in a bowl game, but the South Alabama Jaguars are comfortably the better team, and they’re at home. The Eastern Michigan Eagles are 131st in total offense, 114th in scoring offense and 71st in total defense.  Give Eastern Michigan credit for finding a way to win 6 games and make a bowl appearance, but the Eagles aren’t a good team. South Alabama should want to put on a show in front of its home fans and the motivation should be there, given teams usually don’t have these chances in bowl games. Give me South Alabama in a beat down.