Fansided

Camellia Bowl 2015, Ohio vs Appalachian State preview, predictions, odds and live stream info

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 24, 2015; DeKalb, IL, USA; Ohio Bobcats quarterback Greg Windham (14) reacts after the game at Huskie Stadium. Ohio Bobcats defeat the Northern Illinois Huskies 26-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2015; DeKalb, IL, USA; Ohio Bobcats quarterback Greg Windham (14) reacts after the game at Huskie Stadium. Ohio Bobcats defeat the Northern Illinois Huskies 26-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Ohio Bobcats vs Appalachian State Mountaineers

Although this isn’t one of the premier postseason contests, the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl will be one of the more intriguing matchups for those looking for a close, down-to-the-wire game.

Appalachian State is one of the newest teams in the FBS and the Mountaineers have put together a solid season, sitting at 10-2 with one of the best rushing offenses in the country. Don’t forget, they also had some solid practice against stiff competition, playing against the No. 1 Clemson Tigers earlier in the year.

Starting the season 5-1, the Ohio Bobcats finished limping to the finish line with a 3-3 record in their final six games. Derrius Vick will be out for the bowl game and JD Sprague will be relied on as his replacement. Can’t count this team out, though, as the Bobcats did finish the season on a three-game win streak.

Details for Saturday’s Ohio vs Appalachian State game are below: 

Date: Saturday, Dec. 19
Start Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
Location: Montgomery, AL
Stadium: Cramton Bowl
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: For Ohio radio affiliates, click here. For Appalachian State radio affiliates, click here.

Keys to Victory

Ohio Bobcats

Appalachian State has one of the top defenses in all of college football, so the Bobcats will need to be more than just average offensively in this one. Although both the run and passing attack rank in the top 50 in the country, the Bobcats will need to start with the ground game to open up the pass game.

Sophomore running back A.J. Ouellette finished the season with two consecutive 100-yard games and he will be the safest best for the Bobcats to rely on in this one. He will need to be a workhorse in the third straight game for Ohio so junior gunslinger JD Sprague, filling in for the injured Derrius Vick, can air it out.

Appalachian State Mountaineers

Unlike the Bobcats, the Appalachian State Mountaineers do have an offensive identity, meaning they are known for one thing above the other. Appalachian State has the sixth-best rushing offense in the country behind the strong legs of Marcus Cox and breakout freshman star Jalin Moore.

Sticking to the run game would be wise since the Mountaineers’ pass game doesn’t exactly rack up the yards, but Taylor Lamb isn’t afraid to open it up if he has to. He has 29 touchdowns and just eight picks this year, so either way, setting the run up first would be a good idea.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Appalachian State -7
Moneyline: Appalachian State -280, Ohio +235
O/U: 55

Predictions

Appalachian State’s run game is going to be too difficult for the Bobcats of Ohio to slow down. If it’s not going to be Marcus Cox running it down Ohio’s throat, it will be Jalin Moore or Terrence Upshaw. Ohio will keep it close, however, as Sprague will have another solid game, proving that the Bobcats’ offense is fine without Vick.

Final Score: Ohio 24, Appalachian State 31

Home/College Football