The 2025 JLab Birmingham Bowl features a Sun Belt Conference rematch between the Georgia Southern Eagles (6-6) and the Appalachian State Mountaineers (5-7), pitting two familiar foes in a rare intra-conference postseason clash. Georgia Southern earned the bid after a gritty regular-season finish, including a 25-23 victory over App State on November 6, while the Mountaineers seek redemption to end a disappointing year on a high note. Below is a detailed preview of the matchup.
Venue Location
Protective Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama. This outdoor multi-purpose venue, home to UAB football, seats approximately 47,100 and features a turf surface, hosting the Birmingham Bowl since 2021.
Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. CT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Note: While the query references December 25, all official sources confirm December 29 as the date.
Weather Forecast
As an outdoor game, expect mild winter conditions in Birmingham. Forecasts for December 29, 2025, predict daytime highs around 55-60°F with lows in the 30s, partly cloudy skies, and a 20-30% chance of scattered showers. Winds around 5-10 mph could affect kicking and passing if precipitation develops, but overall, conditions favor a balanced game—warm clothes recommended for fans.
Injury Report
Both teams have navigated injuries throughout the season, with depth tested in this bowl matchup.
- Georgia Southern Eagles: Tight end River Helms is sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Running back OJ Arnold is out (undisclosed). Wide receiver Josh Dallas is questionable (undisclosed). Wide receiver Dalen Cobb is out for the season (undisclosed). Running back Terrance Gibbs is questionable (undisclosed). Defensive lineman J. Whitehead is questionable (undisclosed). These absences could strain the offense, particularly in the passing game.
- Appalachian State Mountaineers: Offensive guard T. Ramsey is questionable with an undisclosed injury. Wide receiver Roberts has suffered a torn ACL and will miss the bowl. These issues could limit App State’s offensive line protection and receiving options.
Key Player Matchups
This rematch could hinge on Georgia Southern’s passing attack versus App State’s secondary, with injuries adding intrigue to these battles.
- GS QB JC French IV vs. APP S Camryn Bracha: French threw for over 2,500 yards this season; Bracha, App’s interception leader, must contain him to force turnovers.
- APP QB Joey Aguilar vs. GS LB Marquis Buchanan: Aguilar’s dual-threat ability tests Buchanan, GS’s top tackler, in containing scrambles and short passes.
- GS RB Jalen White vs. APP DL Santana Hopper: White’s ground game (800+ yards) challenges Hopper’s run-stopping prowess.
- APP WR Kaedin Robinson vs. GS CB Marc Stampley II: Robinson’s route-running could exploit Stampley in coverage mismatches.
Other notables: GS WR Derwin Burgess Jr. vs. APP secondary for big plays.
Recent Team Forms
- Georgia Southern Eagles (6-6, 4-4 Sun Belt): Started 2-3 with losses to Boise State and Ole Miss but rebounded in conference play, winning 4 of 8, including a 25-23 thriller over App State and a 31-28 win over James Madison. Averaged 28 points in victories but struggled defensively in losses (allowing 40+).
- b (5-7, 2-6 Sun Belt): Opened 3-2 with wins over East Tennessee State and Liberty but faltered in conference, losing 6 of 8, including to Georgia Southern and a 58-10 blowout at James Madison. Recent form: Lost 3 of last 4, with defense allowing 35+ in losses.
Conference vs Conference
Sun Belt vs. Sun Belt. As an intra-conference matchup, there’s no cross-conference edge, but the Sun Belt in 2025 featured strong offenses (conference averaged 28.5 PPG) with defenses ranking mid-pack nationally. James Madison won the title, highlighting the East Division’s competitiveness, where both teams resided.
Series History
Appalachian State leads the all-time series 21-18-1 in a rivalry dating back to 1932. The teams have met annually since 1993, with App State holding a 5-5 record in the last 10 games. Georgia Southern won the most recent matchup 25-23 on November 6, 2025. Games average close scores, with the largest margin a 47-point App State win in 1998.
Betting Trends
- Georgia Southern: 6-5-1 ATS overall; 4-2 ATS as favorites; 7-5 O/U, trending over in rematches.
- Appalachian State: 5-7 ATS; 3-4 ATS as underdogs; 6-6 O/U, favoring unders on turf.
- Game-Specific: Public on App State +7.5, sharps on Georgia Southern; overs hit in 4 of last 6 series games; Sun Belt favorites 5-3 ATS in bowls.
Historical Betting Results
The Birmingham Bowl (since 2006) has seen favorites go 9-5-3 ATS, with unders hitting in 12 of 17 games. Largest margin: +35 (USF 46-11 over South Carolina, 2016). Recent: 2024 Vanderbilt covered -3 vs. Georgia Tech (over 55.5); 2023 Duke covered -7 vs. Troy (under 44.5). Sun Belt teams are 2-3 ATS in this bowl.
Game Odds
Georgia Southern Eagles – 7
Appalachian State Mountaineers 48.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Sunday, December 28, 2025
