Myrtle Beach Bowl 2023: Ohio vs. Georgia Southern prediction, pick

What to watch for as College Football Bowl Season kicks off in the Myrtle Beach Bowl as Georgia Southern and Ohio meet

College Football Bowl Season gets underway on Saturday as the first of 43 bowl games kicks off early in the day between Ga. Southern from the Sun Belt and Ohio from the Mid-American Conference. This is the first-ever meeting between the Eagles, who finished 6-6 this season, and the Bobcats, who went 9-3 and have a chance at a 10-win season for the second-straight year.

Myrtle Beach Bowl prediction, preview

When: Sat., Dec. 16
Time: 11 a.m. Eastern
TV: ESPN network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)

Ga. Southern vs. Ohio game odds

Courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Line: Ga. Southern -3.5
Total: 49.5 points
Moneyline: GSU -163 | OH +125
FPI pick: Ohio 55.3% to win

What to watch for

Ga. Southern: The Eagles lost their last four straight games to close out the regular season and placed last in their division, but come in with the nation's 14th ranked passing offense, averaging almost 299 yards in the air per game. Starting quarterback Davis Brin has 3,431 yards and 22 TDs, but also 16 INTs. Khaleb Hood and Derwin Burgess, Jr. have combined for 1,613 yards and 10 touchdown grabs. Jalen White ran for 891 yards and scored nine times.

Ohio: The Bobcats come in ranked No. 5 nationally in scoring defense this season, allowing opponents to score 15.4 points per game, and are 8-0 when holding teams to under 20 points. But this isn't quite the same offense we saw this season, as quarterback Kurtis Rourke, leading receivers Miles Cross and Tyler Walton, and backs Sieh Bangura and O'Shaan Allison are in the transfer portal.

Myrtle Beach Bowl prediction

GSU is yet to win a game this season when it doesn't surpass 34 points on the scoreboard, and limiting points is what Ohio does best right now. And given the Bobcats' exodus on offense, that's what they'll have to lean into. 

Ohio can slow the game down to its preferred momentum and take charge of the time of possession margin, making up for its lack of offensive firepower, while frustrating the Eagles' offense into short gains and mistakes.

College Football HQ picks...

• Ohio wins 20-17
• In an upset
• And hits the under

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