Today’s College Football Bowl Lineup Highlights Birmingham Bowl Matchup

The college football bowl games continue with a single contest scheduled for today, featuring the Birmingham Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast on ESPN, providing fans an opportunity to catch this postseason matchup between two Sun Belt Conference rivals.

This game represents a rematch between Appalachian State and Georgia Southern, teams that faced off earlier in the season on November 6. Appalachian State enters the bowl hoping to reverse a narrow 25-23 loss to Georgia Southern. The Mountaineers have had challenges with consistency in their passing attack, but they will look for a strong performance from quarterback JJ Kohl, especially with veteran receiver CJ Swann having declared for the transfer portal.

Georgia Southern relies heavily on its backfield duo to spearhead the offense. Quarterback J.C. French IV and running back OJ Arnold form the core of their attacking strategy. Their prior success against Appalachian State adds intrigue to this meeting, as they aim to secure a second win over the same opponent within the same season.

While the matchup may not attract widespread attention nationally, particularly given that some teams with better records declined bowl invitations, it remains significant for the schools and fans involved. The initial close score between these teams indicates that the game could provide competitive moments worthy of casual viewers’ interest.

Birmingham Bowl Quick Facts:

1. Date and Time: 2 p.m. ET, Monday, broadcast on ESPN
2. Teams: Appalachian State vs. Georgia Southern
3. Conference: Both teams are from the Sun Belt Conference
4. Matchup History: Close regular-season game decided 25-23 in favor of Georgia Southern
5. Key Players:
    - Appalachian State: QB JJ Kohl, WR CJ Swann (entered portal)
    - Georgia Southern: QB J.C. French IV, RB OJ Arnold

The Birmingham Bowl stands as the lone postseason contest on the college football schedule today. Despite being considered less prominent compared to other bowl games, it offers a narrative of rivalry and redemption between two regional contenders. Observers tracking the Sun Belt Conference will find valuable insights into team development and player performances in this final game before the new year.