The 2020 LendingTree Bowl features the 5-6 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers against the 5-4 Georgia State Panthers. Here is the 2020 LendingTree Bowl Preview.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (5-6)
Western Kentucky played a tough schedule and came up just short of going .500. They only lost to bowl-eligible teams this season. The Hilltoppers did not defeat any teams above .500 on the season.
On offense, the Hilltoppers have struggled to score at 18.2 points per game. They have also have struggled to move the ball with 162.9 passing yards (ranked 111th) and 128 rushing yards per game (ranked 99th).
Maryland-transfer Tyrrell Pigrome has played quarterback for Western Kentucky this year. He has passed for 1,423 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions on 58.3 percent completion. Three pass-catchers have at least 200 yards receiving. Wide receiver Xavier Lane had 34 receptions for 376 yards and one touchdowns. Another receiver Mitchell Tinsley has hauled in 42 receptions for 367 yards and four touchdowns. Tight end Joshua Simon had 29 receptions for 286 yards and three touchdowns.
Running back Gaej Walker leads the team with 614 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Pigrome is second on the team with 328 rushing yards and also has three touchdowns. Jakairi Moses has 311 rushing yards on the year.
The Hilltoppers’ defense allowed 24.1 points per game, which kept them in some games this year. They allow 166.3 rushing yards (ranked 68th) and 170.1 passing yards (ranked eighth). Antwon Kincaide, Devon Key and Kyle Bailey each have over 70 tackles this year. Defensive end DeAngelo Malone leads the team with six sacks.
Georgia State Panthers (5-4)
The Panthers played nine games, winning five of them on the year. They defeated Georgia Southern who finished the season above .500. Georgia State did lose to one under .500 team in Arkansas State.
They score 36.8 points per game, which makes them a good offense. The Panthers pass for 227.3 yards (ranked 68th) and rush for 190.3 yards per game (ranked 39th).
Cornelious Brown IV has taken virtually every snap at quarterback for the Panthers this season. He has passed for 2,046 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 59.1 percent completion. His number one target is Sam Pinckney who has 44 receptions for 753 yards and six touchdowns. Other than him, the Panthers have three other targets with over 200 receiving yards in Cornelius McCoy, Roger Carter and Terrance Dixon.
Destin Coates leads the Panthers in rushing with 652 yards and six touchdowns. Tucker Gregg has received a lot of snaps at running back as well and has produced with 441 yards and six touchdowns. From the quarterback position Brown IV has 261 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Converted corner Jamyest Williams even helped out with 208 rushing yards.
The defense has been rough for Georgia State, allowing 32.9 points per game. They allow 284.1 passing yards (ranked 118th) and 140.2 rushing yards per game (ranked 42nd). Linebacker Blake Carroll leads the team with 72 total tackles and also has four passes defended and two fumble recoveries. Defensive end Hardrick Willis leads the team with 5.5 sacks. Defensive backs Antavious Lane and Quavian White are both tied for the team lead with three interceptions.
Prediction
Georgia State has the more potent offensive attack, which should let them get out to a lead. If the Panthers get the lead, Western Kentucky will not be able to lead a comeback.
Georgia State Panthers 27 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 21
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