College Football Predictions – Louisiana Rajun Cajuns 2017 NCAA Football Preview
2016 Recap
2016 Record – 6-7
2016 ATS – 8-5
Some surprise, and some predictability.
The surprise ? A second consecutive losing season under the watch of HC Mark Hudspeth coming off FOUR consecutive nine-win campaigns. The predictability ? Making it to the New Orleans Bowl for seemingly the 78th time in the past 79 years. Southern Miss dealt the Ragin’ Cajuns a dose of MEGALOCKS EXTRA LATE PHONE RELEASE MAGIC with a bowl win and cover. Can Louisiana rebound this season ? Let’s dig in.
2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
Sun Belt – TBD
OFFENSE
There is uncertainty at QB with the departure of Anthony Jennings and the upgrade of Jordan Davis to the starting role. Yes, Jennings did not have a great 2016 season, but it never easy to predict how a new QB will perform. Davis will have to get things going in the passing game without the benefit of a single returning player tallying over 500 receiving yards last year. The ground game will be without the school’s 2nd all-time leading rusher Elijah McGuire who picked up over 1,100 yards last season. Some good news ? The offensive line has some nice size and returns 4/5 starters to the mix. That is always a solid foundation to build upon.
DEFENSE
The Ragin’ Cajun stop unit was solid last season finishing up 4th in total defense and 3rd in rushing defense in the Sun Belt. Louisiana will be without their top-2 leading tacklers from last season but do return a lot of talent in the front seven including last season’s leading sack man Joe Dillon (7 sacks, 12.5 TFL) and some good size at DT. The secondary brings back a lot of experience including a pair of senior safeties. The Louisiana defense looks really strong on paper and should be one of the best in the conference.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Ragin’ Cajuns bring back reliable PK Stevie Artigue who hit 19/24 FGs last season but will have to break in a new punter. The return units do not appear to have any game breakers.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot
September 16 – at Texas A&M. We all know how tough a road game it is when you travel to face Texas A&M. With a rivalry battle (ULM) and conference play on deck we would be leery of taking the points in this spot.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Louisiana paid a two-week visit to HEARTBREAK HOTEL last season losing back-to-back OT games vs Tulane (4-OT) and New Mexico St (2 OT).
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 5.0
MEGALOCKS says:
Overall, we give the RAGIN’ CAJUNS a 5.0 ATS Value Rating (Average) this season.
The season gets off to an interesting start. They have an opening date with FCS foe SE Louisiana and then head on the road to most likely get their teeth kicked in at Tulsa and Texas A&M. Then they can settle into conference play.
The offensive line and defense look really good. We are skeptical of how much production they will get from the QB position (again) and need to see some explosiveness out of the RB and WR groups. It feels like they are going to be in a lot of close games starting in week 4. That goes for SU and ATS. Take a patient approach.
Want more Louisiana football ?
Website
http://ragincajuns.com/index.aspx?path=football
Forum
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News
http://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/sports/ul_lafayette/
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/louisiana-ragin-cajuns
http://bleacherreport.com/louisiana-lafayette-football
Hashtag – #GeauxCajuns
Accounts
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