Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Georgia Southern Prediction, Game Preview
Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Georgia Southern prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the game between the Ragin’ Cajuns and Eagles.
Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Georgia Southern prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the game between the Ragin’ Cajuns and Eagles.
Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia Southern Game Preview
When: Thursday, November 10 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Paulson Stadium, Statesboro, GA
Broadcast: ESPNU
Georgia Southern has fallen below .500 following a pair of tough back-to-back games with Appalachian State and Ole Miss, both losses. But even at 4-5, there’s time left to finish with six wins and get into the discussion for the Sun Belt’s bowl tie-ins. Still, this Thursday is a must-win, especially since the regular season ends with a visit from conference frontrunner Troy. Louisiana-Lafayette is coming off a crushing homecoming loss to Idaho that may have derailed their postseason hopes. The Cajuns have been in a month-long funk, and look headed to a second straight losing season under Mark Hudspeth.
What To Know About Louisiana-Lafayette
The problems in Lafayette this season hinge squarely on an offense that has failed to find consistency in 2016. Over the last three games, the Cajuns have scored just 40 points, saddled with poor blocking and quarterback play. And against a weak Vandal D Saturday, ULL could only muster one touchdown and 266 total yards. Hudspeth’s only hope at this stage rests with a defense that’s helped keep the team competitive. The Cajuns are outstanding in the front seven, led by middle linebacker Otha Peters and rookie defensive end Joe Dillon, generating 21 sacks and holding opponents to only 3.2 yards per carry.
What to Know About Georgia Southern
The Eagles hung with Ole Miss for three quarters. Unfortunately, they were routed in the second frame, 28-7. Under first-year head coach Tyson Summers, Georgia Southern has remained a ground-and-pound offense, leading the Sun Belt in rushing. The team will spread the touches around to quarterback Kevin Ellison and a bevy of backs that includes Matt Breida, Wesley Fields and L.A. Ramsby. The defense has been no better than average, aside from linebackers Ironhead Gallon and Ukeme Eligwe, though far worse at getting pressure. The Eagles have just nine sacks in nine games.
Advantages
Offense: Georgia Southern. In a game involving inconsistent offenses, the Eagle rushing attack is the one thing that can be counted on this Thursday.
Defense: Louisiana-Lafayette. If the Cajun offense played as well as the D this season, this program would be on the fringe of Sun Belt contention.
Special Teams: Georgia Southern. Senior Eagle Younghoe Koo, who has missed just one of 17 field goal attempts, is getting national attention as one of the top FBS placekickers.
Coaching: Louisiana-Lafayette. True, Hudspeth has hit a rough patch in his career, but his edge in experience over Summers is sizable.
Intangibles: Georgia Southern. The Eagles are back home, eager to finally face a similarly talented opponent and aware of the importance of returning to .500.
Matchup To Watch
Peters and the Cajun linebackers vs. Breida and the Eagle backs
It’ll be strength versus strength when Georgia Southern lines up to run out of its trademark triple-option this week. The Eagles are set to run the ball with determination, but Louisiana-Lafayette has yet to allow more than 158 rushing yards in a game this season.
Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia Southern Betting Odds
Spread: Georgia Southern -10
Over/Under: No line as of post
Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia Southern Prediction
The defensive front of Louisiana-Lafayette will be a hurdle for Georgia Southern this week. But the Cajuns were deflated last Saturday, and their offensive woes show no signs of abating. Back at Paulson Stadium, the Eagles will perform with more passion and desire, eventually wearing down ULL in the second half with a steady and unrelenting diet of plunges between the tackles. GSU will climb back to .500 to keep postseason hopes alive.
Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia Southern Score Prediction: Georgia Southern 28, Louisiana-Lafayette 16
