Buffalo vs Liberty Starting QB Today: Bahamas Bowl game QB Depth Chart 

With the bowl season nearing its end, the Bahamas Bowl will pit the Buffalo Bulls and the Liberty Flames against each other in the Caribbean. The game will be played on Jan. 4 at 11:00 a.m. ET in Nassau, Bahamas. It will be the only game played on that date.

The Buffalo Bulls (8-4) are looking to close the season with five straight wins. The Liberty Flames (8-3) once promising start ultimately fell short of the Conference USA Championship Game after they lost three of their final six games.

As has often been the case in this bowl season, opt-outs will affect who is available for this game. While Buffalo will have starter C.J. Ogbonna under center, the Flames will not have Kaidon Slater, who transferred to Colorado. Sophomore Ryan Burger will open the game for Liberty.

Who is C.J. Ogbonna, starting QB for Buffalo in Bahamas Bowl game?

After spending two years in Southeast Missouri State, C.J. Ogbonna transferred to Buffalo in 2023. However, it was not until this season that he was finally able to take the starting quarterback job.

Ogbonna passed for 2,244 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also scored eight touchdowns on the ground while rushing for 311 yards. Though he isn’t necessarily a running threat, he can take off if the occasion calls for it.

The Marietta, Georgia native has been effective at spreading the ball around. Even though the Bulls also like to run the football he can win games with his arm as well.

Who is Ryan Burger, starting QB for Liberty in Bahamas Bowl game?

Ryan Burger transferred to Liberty from Appalachian State (Image Source: Imagn)

Ryan Burger will be starting his first game after Slater entered the transfer portal. Burger transferred in from Appalachian State before the season but has only seen spot duty during his college career.

In three years, the Myrtle Beach High School product has gone 15-of-24 for 161 yards and a touchdown. He has added 26 rushing yards and a touchdown in 12 carries.

His limited experience will be tested against a Buffalo defense led by Shaun Dolac, the nation’s leading tackler in the Bahamas Bowl.

Buffalo vs. Liberty: Head-to-head history

The Bahamas Bowl will be the third meeting between Buffalo and Liberty with the Flames winning both prior games. The first matchup between them was a 35-17 Liberty win in 2014. Two years later, the teams met again with the Flames now winning 55-27.

This will be Liberty’s first trip to Nassau. Buffalo has played in this bowl game once before, racking up a 31-9 victory over Charlotte in 2019.

Who do you think will win the Bahamas Bowl between the Buffalo Bulls and Liberty Flames? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.