Camellia Bowl 2014: Preview, Predictions for South Alabama vs. Bowling Green

There are many bowl games worthy of watching on the first day of the postseason, but few will feature the excitement that will be showcased in the 2014 Camellia Bowl when the South Alabama Jaguars square off against the Bowling Green Falcons.

With South Alabama representing the Sun Belt Conference and Bowling Green representing the Mid-American Conference, this is the inaugural Raycom Media Camellia Bowl and one of the most underrated matchups of the early bowl season.

Here is all the vital viewing information for the 2014 Camellia Bowl.

Where: Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama

When: Saturday, Dec. 20

Start Time: 9:15 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Breaking Down the 2014 Camellia Bowl

Casual college football fans may not know much about South Alabama and Bowling Green, but the two teams should put on a matchup worthy of the national stage.

The Falcons are coming off a devastating loss in the MAC Championship Game. Bowling Green finished the season first in the MAC East standings but was thoroughly overmatched by Northern Illinois in the championship. Add in back-to-back losses coming into the title game to Ball State and Toledo, and the Falcons have struggled down the stretch.

When asked about the blowout loss to Northern Illinois, Bowling Green coach Dino Babers spoke to reporters:

"

We weren't able to match them in any facet of the game. They just had too much strength and speed for us on both sides of the ball. Last year, it seemed like they were a one-man offense and then the defense was built around the safety. I was interested to see how they were going to respond to losing two superstars, and the answer is that they've become a much more complete team. They now play 22 deep instead of relying on a couple guys.

"

The Falcons have a solid offensive unit, ranked 63rd in the league with an average of 29.8 points per game, but the program has struggled defensively. After allowing 33.9 points per game (108th in the nation), South Alabama will be ready to take advantage.

The Jaguars may have the opportunity to beat Bowling Green’s suspect defense, but the offensive unit has not been overly impressive. South Alabama is 107th in the nation, scoring 22.1 points per game, but the team is coming off a loss to Navy in which the Jaguars scored 40 points.

With big-game experience from playing teams like Mississippi State and South Carolina, South Alabama and its defensive unit (allowing just 25.8 points per game) should step up and shut Bowling Green down.

Both teams deserve credit for making it to the inaugural Camellia Bowl, but South Alabama has the better overall defense and should be able to pull out the victory.

Predicted Final Score: South Alabama 30, Bowling Green 24

*Stats via ESPN.com.