by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Sep 13, 2021
Game time: Noon ET, September 18, 2021
Venue: UB Stadium, Buffalo, New York
Where to watch: ESPN2
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Coastal Carolina -13.5; O/U 58; Coastal Carolina -550, Buffalo +400
BetMGM: Coastal Carolina -13.5; O/U 58; Coastal Carolina -500, Buffalo +380
Caesars: Coastal Carolina -13.5; O/U 57.5; Coastal Carolina -550, Buffalo +400
Season record
No. 16 Coastal Carolina: 2-0
Buffalo: 1-1
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Coastal Carolina - Buffalo preview and analysis
Recent form
Coastal Carolina: won 49-22 vs. Kansas on Sept. 10
Buffalo: lost 28-3 at Nebraska on Sept. 11
Never before has someone (me) been so invested in the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers trying to cover -27 against, of all teams, the Kansas Jayhawks.
Once Kansas dropped that 4th and 1 pass down 13 in the third quarter, it was over. Coastal Carolina was going to cover, and by the skin of their teeth, betters rejoiced at the absurd cover.
But now up next for the No. 16-ranked Chanticleers come the Buffalo Bulls. The great city of Buffalo would like to hope that the Bulls would respond better than the Bills did on Sunday, but the ghost of Khalil Mack isn’t walking through the door.
But the Chanticleers are 2-0 after winning 49-22 over Kansas on Friday, following their 52-14 victory against The Citadel with conference play on the horizon. The Sun Belt and MAC will fight for supremacy.
Coastal Carolina is coming in with a lethal passing attack on offense led by Grayson McCall, who has 507 yards while completing 82.5 percent of his passes and three touchdowns, all while not throwing an interception. To be fair, The Citadel and Kansas aren’t the Monsters of the Midway, but this passing attack.
The Chanticleers have also developed a balanced running attack with Reese White (164 yards, five touchdowns) and Shermari Jones (143 yards, 2 TD).
The Bulls are coming off a 28-3 loss against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on the road. In a game where quarterback Kyle Vantrease threw 50 times and was outplayed by Adrian Martinez, perhaps no one circles the wagon like the Buffalo Bulls. Jovany Ruiz was held to four catches for 33 yards, but Kevin Marks Jr. ran for 85 yards on 21 carries.
Prediction
We were cutting it close on the spread last week, and even the point total was a bit of an outlier. But Coastal Carolina can’t afford to have a slip up if the Chanticleers want to get to a New Year’s Six Bowl. This is another good tune-up before conference play. Coastal Carolina by 14.
Betting trends
Coastal Carolina is 9-2 against the spread in its last 11 road games.
Following a win by 17 or more points, Coastal Carolina is 5-1 against the spread.
Buffalo is 9-1 in its last 10 home games against the spread.
Players to watch
Coastal Carolina: Watch how Buffalo tries to stop Joasiah Stewart. The Coastal Carolina pass rusher leads the team with 3.5 sacks through two games.
Buffalo: Quian Williams hasn’t found the endzone yet, but expect Vatrease to look his way. He’s going to need to make the necessary catches to get this offense going.
Statistical leaders
Coastal Carolina:
Passing: Grayson McCall -- 507 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Rushing: Reese White -- 164 yards, 5 TD
Receiving: Jaivon Heiligh -- 255 yards, 2 TD
Defense: Josaiah Stewart -- 3.5 sacks
Buffalo:
Passing: Kyle Vantrease -- 455 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Kevin Marks Jr. -- 157 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Quian Williams -- 189 yards
Defense: Taylor Riggins -- 2 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
