Bowl Mania: 68 Ventures Bowl

2023 68 Ventures Bowl

When: Saturday, December 23rd @ 7:30 PM ET

Where: Mobile, Alabama

Who: Eastern Michigan (6-6) vs. South Alabama (6-6)

Spread & Total: South Alabama -17; O/U 44.5

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Tale of the Take: Eastern Michigan Eagles

2023 marked a decade for Chris Creighton at Eastern Michigan. His 10th year at the helm began going 2-2 in nonconference play, with both losses coming against bowl eligible Minnesota and Jacksonville State. After starting 2-1 in conference play, the Eagles hit a skid, losing three straight. Standing at 4-6, Eastern Michigan had to win out to clinch a bowl berth for the third consecutive year. They did just that, winning in double overtime against Akron and going on the road to beat Buffalo. The Eagles went 0-4 against bowl eligible teams and 2-2 in one possession games.

Offensively, Eastern Michigan has one of the worst offenses among bowl eligible teams. Iowa is the only other team that ranks outside the top-100 in FBS in passing and rushing yards per game. The 27 combined offensive touchdowns is the 3rd-fewest among bowl eligible teams, beating out Iowa and Minnesota. And the Eagles will be without starting quarterback Austin Smith, who hit the transfer portal.

Defensively, the Eagles saw 29.3 pass attempts per game. They held opposing quarterbacks to 58.4% completion rate and 7 YPA. 13 passing touchdowns allowed is tied for the 15th-best mark in the country. However, 21 sacks to opposing quarterbacks was outside the top-100 nationally. Opponents averaged 39.7 rush attempts per game against the Eagles, the 15th most in FBS. They allowed 4.5 YPC forced 13 fumbles.

Opt Outs: N/A

Injuries: N/A

Transfer Portal Departures:

QB Austin Smith

Starting quarterback; completed 57.4% of his attempts. Threw for 1,775 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. Added 71 carries for 339 yards (net sack yards) and two touchdowns.

WR Javon Swinton

TE Andreas Paaske

OT Zack Conti

DL Alex Merritt

LB Mikah Coleman

 

Players to Know:

#24 WR Tanner Knue

2023 All-MAC Second Team Offense. Led the team with 50 receptions, 479 yards, and three touchdowns

#19 LB Joe Sparacio

2023 All-MAC Second Team Defense. Led the team with 134 total tackles (58 solo); added 2.5 sacks. Added three pass breakups and forced three fumbles

#6 LB Chase Kline

2023 All-MAC Third Team Defense. 2nd on the team with 129 total tackles (46 solo); added two sacks. Added three pass breakups, forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble

Preview: Bowl Mania: Idaho Potato Bowl

Tale of the Tape: South Alabama Jaguars

In Kane Wommack’s third season at South Alabama, he looked to build momentum off a stellar 2022 season. However, the Jaguars fell short in this category as they finished 6-6. It began with a conference opening loss to Tulane in their regular season opener. A huge road win against Oklahoma State lost all momentum after losing at home to Central Michigan. South Alabama found themselves losing to the top of the Sun Belt, and beating teams at the bottom. A shutout win against Marshall in the penultimate game of the regular season clinched a bowl berth for the Jaguars. They went 3-5 against bowl eligible teams and 1-3 in one possession games.

Offensively, South Alabama averaged 35.3 pass plays per game. The quarterback room combined to complete 68.4% of their attempts for 8.1 YPA. The ground game averaged 33.4 rush attempts per game and averaged 5.3 YPC, net sack yards lost. South Alabama had an even split between rushing and passing scores, and the 48 scores ranked in the middle of the pack among bowl eligible teams.

Defensively, South Alabama saw just 27 pass attempts on average per contest. This ranked 119th in FBS. Opponents completed 60.5% of their attempts for an average of 7.8 YPA. The run defense was stout for the Jaguars, allowing just 3.3 YPC, the 17th-best mark nationally. The 10 rushing touchdowns allowed is tied for the 11th-fewest in FBS.

Opt Outs: N/A

Injuries:

 

Transfer Portal Departures:

WR Caullin Lacy

2023 All-Sun Belt First Team Offense. Leads the team with 91 receptions (6th nationally) for 1,316 yards (6th nationally) and seven touchdowns. 

LB Gavin Forsha

CB Dallas Gamble

 

Player to Know:

#3 RB La’Damian Webb

Over 1,000 yards on the ground in each of the past two years. 29 touchdowns since the start of the 2022 season.

#10 LB Quentin Wilfawn

2023 All-Sun Belt Second Team Defense. 81 tackles (46 solo) and 6.5 sacks led the team. Recorded a pass breakup and forced two fumbles

#2 S Jaden Voisin

2023 All-Sun Belt First Team Defense. Four interceptions led the team; 66 total tackles (29 solo) was 4th on the team. Six pass breakups was 2nd most on the team; forced a fumble

Bowl Game Trends:

• 2023 68 Ventures Bowl: Sun Belt is 7-4 against the MAC in this bowl series
• South Alabama: 0-3 all-time in bowl games
• Chris Creighton: 1-4 all-time in bowl games at Eastern Michigan

Game Synopsis:

Eastern Michigan’s offense took a hit with Smith entering the transfer portal. This leaves Ike Udengwu III as the replacement with just 28 career attempts. South Alabama will be without star receiver Lacy, but feature a running back with back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in Webb. This South Alabama offense should be fine in filling the void Lacy leaves.

Only one other game in this bowl season currently has a larger spread: Oregon -17.5 against Liberty. I love the South Alabama Jaguars to win the 2023 68 Ventures Bowl for their first bowl win in school history.

Bowl Mania Pick To Win: South Alabama

Bowl Mania Confidence: 43/43

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