Scully's Bahamas Bowl preview: Buffalo vs. Charlotte

Both Buffalo and Charlotte finished the regular season strong, and for their reward they'll get a trip to the islands.

The Bulls won five of their last six games and wound up second in the MAC East to earn their second straight bowl appearance. Charlotte, which restarted its football program in 2013 (it played for a short time in the 1940s), won its final five games to secure the school’s first bowl bid.

Bahamas Bowl: Buffalo (-6.5) vs Charlotte, Friday, 2 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Buffalo will try to control the line of scrimmage. The Bulls got off to a slow start following the departure of multiple skill players from last year’s squad, including MAC Offensive Player of the Year Tyree Jackson, but they returned four starters on the offensive line.

When Kyle Vantrease took over quarterback duties in mid-season, the offense became more efficient and Buffalo outscored opponents by a 232-98 margin down the stretch.

Charlotte will have its hands full with Patterson and Marks

Jaret Patterson (1,626 rushing yards, seven touchdowns) and Kevin Marks (1,008 rushing yards, eight touchdowns) put up big numbers to pace the nation’s eighth-best rushing offense (251.5 yards per game), and Buffalo will try to keep its defense fresh with time-consuming drives. The Bulls rank second in time of possession average (34:48) behind Wisconsin. Buffalo’s run defense is stout, as well, and ranks fourth nationally (90.8 yards allowed per game).

I thought the MAC was down this year, though, and must question whether Buffalo is overvalued.

Healy is one of college football's best and brightest

Charlotte faces a daunting challenge, but they bring momentum, as well as a balanced attack. First-year coach Will Healy, who orchestrated a remarkable turnaround at Austin Peay, showed why he is one of the brightest coaching minds in college football, as Charlotte discovered its best form after the 49ers opened with a 2-5 record.

The renewed confidence was impossible to miss down the stretch. Charlotte averaged 32.6 points over its last five games, and the defense can be disruptive, with standout defensive end Alex Highsmith consistently in the backfield.

Reynolds is dangerous in the open field

The 49ers are solid up front and have Conference USA’s top rushing offense. Running back Ben LeMay leads the way, quarterback Chris Reynolds is a dangerous runner and Charlotte averaged more than 200 rushing yards per game. The 49ers don't have a one-dimensional team, like Buffalo. Charlotte averaged 212 yards per game through the air and 211 yards per game on the ground, and Reynolds recorded multiple 300-yard passing games during its current win streak. That versatility could prove key in this matchup.

If Charlotte comes out throwing the ball successfully, it should give Buffalo all it can handle. No lead is necessarily safe with Buffalo, which allowed Kent State to erase a 21-point deficit with 24 unanswered points over the final eight minutes November 14.

Charlotte has the offense to be competitive and the points are attractive in my estimation.

NCAAF free pick: Charlotte +6.5

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James Scully’s 2019 NCAAF record ATS on BetAmerica heading into bowl season: 34-34