Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs UL Lafayette Ragin Cajuns Point Spread Picks

Louisiana beat Arkansas State 23-20 on October 3, outgaining it 435-293 and rushing for 251 yards on 42 carries. It has rushed for 225 yards or more in three of its five games, outgained UAB 335-218 and Charlotte 292-137, and is tied for 41st in points allowed at 19.4 per game. Its one loss, 49-30 at USC, is the only game in which it was outgained (483-358). Louisiana Tech allowed 45 points at LSU and 36 at Baylor, then 29 to Army, and it is 112th in points allowed at 29.0 per game. Army rushed for 270 yards on 45 carries against Louisiana Tech on October 3, and Louisiana Tech won 31-29 while gaining 503 yards. It gained 139 yards at LSU and 362 at Baylor, and its two wins were 80-6 over Northwestern State and a two-point win over Army. Louisiana is the pick on the spread Saturday night.

A pair of teams in search of and needing a win that have not started out quite as they expected, should play this one with a lot of intensity. That will come naturally as well, as this is an in-state rivalry game. LA Tech went to Kansas State and gave them a strong run, but ultimately left disappointed with an overtime loss. They have wins vs. Florida International and Southern University - not exactly a strong resume. UL Lafayette has a problem throwing the ball and has not thrown a TD pass yet this season. Instead they like to run the ball, and work clock to shorten games. UL lafayette is 6-1 to the UNDER in their last seven on field turf, while LA Tech has brought the defense at home where they now own a 9-4-1 UNDER mark in their last 14 here, and overall have seen just one of their last eight vs. a losing team top the total. Play this one to finish UNDER.

The Louisiana Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns have won 9 games for three straight years. Last year could have been 10 or 11, if not for QB Terrence Broadway going down with an injury. This year they have almost everyone coming back, with even more depth. The defense has just about every player back in the two-deep, and should show dramatic improvement. Alonzo Harris has gained over 2,500 yards on the ground in three years, but he will have to fight for carries with the emergence of Elijah McGuire. Over the last six conference games, five of which were wins, McGuire carried 58 times for 9.4 yards per carry, and in the opener vs. Southern, he  went for 129 on just 13 totes. The opener saw 11 different receivers catch at least one ball, and this is a loaded offense. After dominating offensively in 2012, Louisiana Tech really lost it last year, scoring 16 points or less in eight games. They have to rebuild the defensive line once again, and against a polished and speedy offense with a savvy QB, a strong set of skill players, and tremendous depth, it is going to get ugly early in this one. The defense has three new coaches to work with. The offense will improve but has so far to go that they will be below average once again. The lack of defensive depth, and a limited offense, facing a very competent and motivated team is just too much here. UL Lafayette gets the call.