The slow rollout of college football bowl season continues Thursday with just a single offering in the Big Easy. Admittedly, it won’t generate nearly the buzz that another contest in the Crescent City will create in a couple of weeks, but it will mark the postseason debut for one of the Football Bowl Subdivision’s newest additions.
Yes, we know that other pigskin league also has a game this evening, and we’re still waiting for the main event on the university side. But at least you won’t need a streaming device for this one. Here’s a quick look at the participants in the collegiate version.
New Orleans Bowl – Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston State
Time/TV/location: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2, New Orleans.
Why watch: These should be exciting times at Sam Houston State, playing in the program’s first bowl game after making the move from the Football Championship Subdivision. Unfortunately, success has come at a price with coach K.C. Keeler off to Temple and a slew of players transferring out. The Eagles by contrast appear to have kept most of their regular roster intact heading into the postseason. QB JC French, RB Jalen White and WR Derwin Burgess Jr. could all put up big numbers against the depleted Bearkats’ defense. Fortunately for Sam Houston, dual-threat QB Hunter Watson is still around, and his presence could keep things competitive.
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Why it could disappoint: As we said, Sam Houston is still new to this bowl experience, and interim coach Brad Cornelsen will have his hands full pulling together a game-day lineup.