Ground and pound will be the theme of the day for the Buffalo Bulls, who seek their first-ever bowl victory Friday against the Charlotte 49ers at the Bahamas Bowl in Nassau.
The Bulls, who come into this one 0-3 in bowl appearances, started the season slowly but caught fire down the stretch while leading the Mid-American conference in rushing and defence. Charlotte won its final five games to secure its first-ever bowl game appearance.
Bahamas Bowl Betting Analysis
The Bulls had hoped to build on last year’s 10-win campaign, but lost four of its first six games and had to scramble to return to the playoffs. But they emerged as one of the top cover options in the country down the stretch, going 6-1 ATS in their last seven games. Charlotte also finished the season on fire from a covers standpoint, converting three times as an underdog and once as a double-digit favourite over their final five games of the 2019 campaign.
The total for the opening bowl game of the 2019-20 playoff frenzy opened at 56.5 but has fallen three points since, perhaps out of respect for the Bulls’ sensational defence. Charlotte closed out its schedule with four Unders over its final six games following a 6-0 O/U start to the year, with its last three Unders finishing an average of 12.3 points below the number. Buffalo also went 8-4 O/U for the season, including five consecutive overs to end the year.
Buffalo Bulls
Few teams could slow down a Bulls running game that averaged the ninth-most yards in the country at 254.3 per game. And the 49ers will have two elite rushers to deal with in Nassau, with Jaret Patterson (1,626 yards, 17 TDs) and Kevin Marks (1,008 yards, eight TDs) making life miserable for opposing defences. The Bulls also excelled on the defensive end, ranking No. 6 in total yards against (293.3) and fourth in rushing defence (95.6).
Charlotte 49ers
The 49ers were 2-5 following a loss to Western Kentucky – their fourth in a row – and looked completely lost on defence, having allowed an average of 43.8 points over the course of their losing streak. But they roared to life from that point forward, limiting four of their final five opponents to fewer than 23 points. That said, quarterback Chris Reynolds will need to shake off a mini slump that has seen him throw four interceptions over his past three starts.
Who Will Win Bulls vs. 49ers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 9 Dec 12:01am | BUFF | -4.5 -115 | O +57 -110 |
| Closing 20 Dec 6:49pm | BUFF | -7 -110 | O +52 -110 |
Injuries
Dylan McDuffie (RB)
Zac Lefebvre (TE)
Zac Lefebvre (TE)
Zac Lefebvre (TE)
Kyle Vantrease (QB)
Zac Lefebvre (TE)
Zac Lefebvre (TE)
Matt Myers (QB)
Evan Finegan (P)
Zac Lefebvre (TE)
Jeff Gemmell (LB)
Marquavis Gibbs (DB)
Jeff Gemmell (LB)
Marquavis Gibbs (DB)
Benny LeMay (RB)
Jeff Gemmell (LB)
Marquavis Gibbs (DB)
Jeff Gemmell (LB)
Marquavis Gibbs (DB)
Benny LeMay (RB)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dylan McDuffie (RB) | Out indefinitely | Suspension - 09 / 12 / 19 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
McDuffie has been suspended for an undetermined length of time due to an off-field incident. |
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| Zac Lefebvre (TE) | Ques Thurs | Leg - 10 / 11 / 19 | 3-1 | 4-0 | + - |
|
Lefebvre has a leg injury, and it is unclear if he will play Thursday against Kent State. |
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| Zac Lefebvre (TE) | Ques Sat | Leg - 27 / 10 / 19 | 4-1 | 5-0 | + - |
|
Lefebvre has a leg injury, and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against Eastern Michigan. |
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| Zac Lefebvre (TE) | Ques Sat | Leg - 20 / 10 / 19 | 5-1 | 5-1 | + - |
|
Lefebvre has a leg injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Central Michigan on Saturday. |
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| Kyle Vantrease (QB) | Prob Sat | Foot - 15 / 10 / 19 | 6-1 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Vantrease is expected to be available against Akron on Saturday despite a foot injury. |
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| Zac Lefebvre (TE) | Ques Sat | Leg - 13 / 10 / 19 | 6-1 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Lefebvre has a leg injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Akron on Saturday. |
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| Zac Lefebvre (TE) | Ques Sat | Leg - 29 / 09 / 19 | 6-2 | 6-2 | + - |
|
Lefebvre has a leg injury, and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against Ohio. |
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| Matt Myers (QB) | out for season | Neck - 28 / 09 / 19 | 7-2 | 7-2 | + - |
|
Myers is sidelined with a neck injury and will miss the remainder of the 2019 season. |
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| Evan Finegan (P) | out for season | Shin - 08 / 09 / 19 | 7-4 | 8-3 | + - |
|
Finegan had surgery to fix a broken fibula and tibia. He is likely to miss the remainder of the season. |
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| Zac Lefebvre (TE) | Doub Sat | Leg - 08 / 09 / 19 | 7-4 | 8-3 | + - |
|
Lefebvre has sat out the previous two games with a leg injury, and he is unlikely to play Saturday against Miami (Ohio). |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Gemmell (LB) | Ques Fri | Ankle - 10 / 12 / 19 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Gemmell is tending to an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will face Buffalo in the Bahamas Bowl. |
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| Marquavis Gibbs (DB) | Ques Fri | Undisclosed - 10 / 12 / 19 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Gibbs is suffering from an unspecified ailment, and it is unknown if he will be available for the Bahamas Bowl against Buffalo. |
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| Jeff Gemmell (LB) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 24 / 11 / 19 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Gemmell is nursing an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against Old Dominion on Saturday. |
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| Marquavis Gibbs (DB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 24 / 11 / 19 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Gibbs is dealing with an unspecified injury, and it is uncertain if he will be available for Saturday's clash with Old Dominion. |
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| Benny LeMay (RB) | Ques Sat | Achilles - 24 / 11 / 19 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
LeMay has an Achilles injury, and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against Old Dominion. |
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| Jeff Gemmell (LB) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 17 / 11 / 19 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Gemmell has an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Marshall on Saturday. |
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| Marquavis Gibbs (DB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 17 / 11 / 19 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Gibbs is dealing with an unspecified injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up Saturday against Marshall. |
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| Jeff Gemmell (LB) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 03 / 11 / 19 | 3-1 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Gemmell is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against UTEP on Saturday. |
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| Marquavis Gibbs (DB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 03 / 11 / 19 | 3-1 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Gibbs is nursing an undefined injury, and his status for Saturday's game versus UTEP is in question. |
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| Benny LeMay (RB) | Doub Sat | Ankle - 03 / 11 / 19 | 3-1 | 1-3 | + - |
|
LeMay did not play in the previous game due to an ankle injury and is unlikely to suit up for Saturday/s matchup against Marshall. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 9 Dec 12:01am BUFF -4.5 -115 O +57 -110 Closing 20 Dec 6:49pm BUFF -7 -110 O +52 -110 -
Injuries
Dylan McDuffie (RB)
Out indefinitely Suspension - 09 / 12 / 19Zac Lefebvre (TE)
Ques Thurs Leg - 10 / 11 / 19Zac Lefebvre (TE)
Ques Sat Leg - 27 / 10 / 19Zac Lefebvre (TE)
Ques Sat Leg - 20 / 10 / 19Kyle Vantrease (QB)
Prob Sat Foot - 15 / 10 / 19Zac Lefebvre (TE)
Ques Sat Leg - 13 / 10 / 19Zac Lefebvre (TE)
Ques Sat Leg - 29 / 09 / 19Matt Myers (QB)
out for season Neck - 28 / 09 / 19Evan Finegan (P)
out for season Shin - 08 / 09 / 19Zac Lefebvre (TE)
Doub Sat Leg - 08 / 09 / 19Jeff Gemmell (LB)
Ques Fri Ankle - 10 / 12 / 19Marquavis Gibbs (DB)
Ques Fri Undisclosed - 10 / 12 / 19Jeff Gemmell (LB)
Ques Sat Ankle - 24 / 11 / 19Marquavis Gibbs (DB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 24 / 11 / 19Benny LeMay (RB)
Ques Sat Achilles - 24 / 11 / 19Jeff Gemmell (LB)
Ques Sat Ankle - 17 / 11 / 19Marquavis Gibbs (DB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 17 / 11 / 19Jeff Gemmell (LB)
Ques Sat Ankle - 03 / 11 / 19Marquavis Gibbs (DB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 03 / 11 / 19Benny LeMay (RB)
Doub Sat Ankle - 03 / 11 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Dylan McDuffie (RB) Out indefinitely Suspension - 09 / 12 / 19 1-0 1-0 + - McDuffie has been suspended for an undetermined length of time due to an off-field incident.
Zac Lefebvre (TE) Ques Thurs Leg - 10 / 11 / 19 3-1 4-0 + - Lefebvre has a leg injury, and it is unclear if he will play Thursday against Kent State.
Zac Lefebvre (TE) Ques Sat Leg - 27 / 10 / 19 4-1 5-0 + - Lefebvre has a leg injury, and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against Eastern Michigan.
Zac Lefebvre (TE) Ques Sat Leg - 20 / 10 / 19 5-1 5-1 + - Lefebvre has a leg injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Central Michigan on Saturday.
Kyle Vantrease (QB) Prob Sat Foot - 15 / 10 / 19 6-1 5-2 + - Vantrease is expected to be available against Akron on Saturday despite a foot injury.
Zac Lefebvre (TE) Ques Sat Leg - 13 / 10 / 19 6-1 5-2 + - Lefebvre has a leg injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Akron on Saturday.
Zac Lefebvre (TE) Ques Sat Leg - 29 / 09 / 19 6-2 6-2 + - Lefebvre has a leg injury, and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against Ohio.
Matt Myers (QB) out for season Neck - 28 / 09 / 19 7-2 7-2 + - Myers is sidelined with a neck injury and will miss the remainder of the 2019 season.
Evan Finegan (P) out for season Shin - 08 / 09 / 19 7-4 8-3 + - Finegan had surgery to fix a broken fibula and tibia. He is likely to miss the remainder of the season.
Zac Lefebvre (TE) Doub Sat Leg - 08 / 09 / 19 7-4 8-3 + - Lefebvre has sat out the previous two games with a leg injury, and he is unlikely to play Saturday against Miami (Ohio).
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jeff Gemmell (LB) Ques Fri Ankle - 10 / 12 / 19 1-0 1-0 + - Gemmell is tending to an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will face Buffalo in the Bahamas Bowl.
Marquavis Gibbs (DB) Ques Fri Undisclosed - 10 / 12 / 19 1-0 1-0 + - Gibbs is suffering from an unspecified ailment, and it is unknown if he will be available for the Bahamas Bowl against Buffalo.
Jeff Gemmell (LB) Ques Sat Ankle - 24 / 11 / 19 2-0 1-1 + - Gemmell is nursing an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against Old Dominion on Saturday.
Marquavis Gibbs (DB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 24 / 11 / 19 2-0 1-1 + - Gibbs is dealing with an unspecified injury, and it is uncertain if he will be available for Saturday's clash with Old Dominion.
Benny LeMay (RB) Ques Sat Achilles - 24 / 11 / 19 2-0 1-1 + - LeMay has an Achilles injury, and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against Old Dominion.
Jeff Gemmell (LB) Ques Sat Ankle - 17 / 11 / 19 2-1 1-2 + - Gemmell has an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Marshall on Saturday.
Marquavis Gibbs (DB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 17 / 11 / 19 2-1 1-2 + - Gibbs is dealing with an unspecified injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up Saturday against Marshall.
Jeff Gemmell (LB) Ques Sat Ankle - 03 / 11 / 19 3-1 1-3 + - Gemmell is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against UTEP on Saturday.
Marquavis Gibbs (DB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 03 / 11 / 19 3-1 1-3 + - Gibbs is nursing an undefined injury, and his status for Saturday's game versus UTEP is in question.
Benny LeMay (RB) Doub Sat Ankle - 03 / 11 / 19 3-1 1-3 + - LeMay did not play in the previous game due to an ankle injury and is unlikely to suit up for Saturday/s matchup against Marshall.