Bahamas Bowl Picks & Odds: Buffalo Favored By 6.5 Points Over Charlotte

• The Bahamas Bowl will be played December 20th between Buffalo and Charlotte
• Buffalo finished 4th in MAC East and Charlotte was 4th in C-USA East
• Both teams are looking for their first bowl win in program history

Buffalo (7-5) faces Charlotte (7-5) in the Bahamas Bowl on December 20th at Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau.

They may not be premier programs, but what better way to kickoff bowl season than to watch two up and coming programs battle it out for the first bowl win in school history?

2019 Bahamas Bowl Odds

Odds taken Dec. 16th

Unlike some bowls where it’s tough to gauge which team will have more interest that shouldn’t be a problem here, both teams will badly want that first win. My take? I think the Bulls come away with that elusive first victory.

Buffalo Defense Can Stop Charlotte Run Game

The Buffalo vs Charlotte odds paint a clear picture. The Bulls led the MAC in total defense and that’s going to be an important factor in this game. The 49ers are only 1-5 when they rush for less than 230 yards and the Bulls just so happen to have the 4th best run defense in all of college football.

The Bulls got a great send off this morning. Next stop @TheBahamasBowl! 🤘😎🌴#UBhornsUP #BowlingBulls pic.twitter.com/wE0RnKMNus

— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 16, 2019

Charlotte did have the 3rd ranked offense in Conference USA, but once the run game gets shut down they lack the depth in play makers to adjust. Can they keep this a one possession game if Buffalo shuts down the run as they have done to many opponents this season?

Learn the Name Jaret Patterson

Jaret Patterson is one of the most electrifying players in all of college football. He finished the season fifth in the country with 1,626 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. He’s stands 5’9 and weighs less than 200 pounds, but that didn’t stop him from earning all first-team MAC honors.

74 forced missed tackles

Jaret Patterson made ‘em miss all season for Buffalo pic.twitter.com/c5cjFuzDAS

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 14, 2019

Patterson’s total numbers are impressive but it’s how he closed the season that should have Charlotte most concerned. He tallied 192 yards and four touchdowns against Toledo before closing with a record setting performance versus Bowling Green.

In the finale, Patterson broke the school record with 298 rushing yards and the conference record finishing with six touchdowns.

He’s only a sophomore so you’ll hear more from the Glendale, Maryland native next season but get ready for him to be one of the stars of the bowl season against the 49ers.

Bet Buffalo Confidently in the Bahamas Bowl

The most elite unit in the game? Buffalo’s run defense. The most elite player in the game? Running back Jaret Patterson and it isn’t really close. The Bulls have the tools to get this one done and with the motivation to bring the school their first bowl win I expect them to cover the 6.5 with relative ease.

Let’s celebrate this historic moment in 49er history. Now is the time to show @CharlotteFTBL that Niner Nation is behind them all the way.

A special bowl week challenge from @Coach_heals before they head south 🏝

“Let’s make this place special.”https://t.co/TYbUbkxkPV pic.twitter.com/E9nozqZbkG

— Charlotte 49ers Athletic Foundation (@49er_Club) December 16, 2019

If you’re looking for a big victory to start the bowl season consider pairing Buffalo -6.5 with the under on a parlay thanks to clock management and that defense, or keep it conservative and just bet the Bulls to cover.

PICK: Buffalo -6.5 (-115)