The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles and the Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns will get together in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans for the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The match-up is set to get underway on Saturday, December 17th at 9 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the ESPN Network. Coming into the game, the Golden Eagles are -3.5 favorite and the contest’s total is at 58.
The New Orleans Bowl has a game that is set-up for a packed Superdome. To make matters more interesting, these two programs have a history together. The Golden Eagles and the Ragin’ Cajuns have played one another 50 times. Southern Mississippi has won the last eight, but this is their first meeting since 2008.
Southern Mississippi (6-6):
This wasn’t the season that new coach Jay Hopson hoped for. Southern Mississippi didn’t live-up to their preseason expectations, needing a victory in their final contest to earn a spot in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Last year, the Golden Eagles went 9-5, but this season they failed to capitalize on a veteran roster that returned players at key positions.
Even in a down year, star signal-caller Nick Mullens still managed to move the chains for the Golden Eagles. Southern Mississippi averaged 472 yards a game and 33 points to show for that production. Mullins completed 218 passes for over 2,900 yards with 22 touchdowns and 10 picks.
The Golden Eagles are a balanced offensive bunch, running the ball about as many times as tossing it. Running back Ito Smith was their go-to guy when they pounded the rock out of the back field. Smith has been stellar, running for 1,321 yards and 15 trips to the back of the end zone.
Three athletic wide receivers produced effectively for veteran quarterback Nick Mullens. Together, the trio reeled in 126 passes from Mullens for almost 1,800 yards and 15 scores.
Junior wide out Allen Staggers lead the corps with 51 catches for 927 yards (18.7 ypc) and six end zone grabs. Staggers will need to have a big day in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, as the Ragin’ Cajuns are murderous against the run.
The Golden Eagles defensive resume’ is kind of confusing. Their secondary are stout against the pass, ranking 11th in the nation (181.6 ypg). The front seven’s stats are also good, yielding 152 yards per game over the ground.
Unfortunately for Southern Mississippi, the inability to challenge opposing offenses in the red zone has plagued this program all season. Southern Mississippi ranks 78th in the country, surrendering 30 points a game.
Louisiana Lafayette (6-6):
The Ragin’ Cajuns have been on a roll coming into the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Louisiana Lafayette bogged down a bit in the middle of the year, losing to Tulane and New Mexico State. But they pulled-up their bootstraps and managed to win their final matches of the season. In fact, the Ragin’ Cajuns only blemish of the final month was a hard fought 35-21 defeat at Georgia.
Louisiana Lafayette is the exact polar opposite of their opponents in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The Ragin’ Cajuns play solid defense while their offense has lacked some pop. Namely, LSU transfer and quarterback Anthony Jennings. Jennings also struggled, throwing for only 2,083 and recording 12 picks and only 11 touchdown passes.
Tail back Elijah McGuire was a bright spot, carrying the ball 215 times for just over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. Quarterback Anthony Jennings did manage to contribute in the red zone for the Ragin’ Cajun’s running attack with seven touchdowns of his own.
Al Riles and Keenan Barnes were a two-man show at the wide receiver position for Louisiana Lafayette. The duo combined for 85 catches for 1,071 yards and eight scores. Running back Elijah McGuire also made his presence felt in the passing game, reeling in 28 catches for 231 and two touchdowns.
What the Ragin’ Cajuns lack in the offensive game, their front seven more than makes up for it on defense. They are responsible for holding opposing tail back to only 3.4 yards per carry and also only 126.5 yards per game (24th). The back half had its fair share of troubles though, allowing 241 yards per game (79th).
Trends and Notes:
The Golden Eagles are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
The Ragin’ Cajuns are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
The Over is 4-1 in the Golden Eagles last 5 Bowl games.
The Under is 5-2-1 in the Ragin’ Cajuns last 8 games overall.
The Ragin’ Cajuns won four straight R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl from 2011-2014.
The Troy Trojans hold the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl with 48 points against the Ohio bobcats in 2010.
Game Prediction:
The Ragin’ Cajuns offense is pretty one-dimensional so the Golden Eagles defense should find some success against them. Buckling down in the red zone against the Cajuns’ will be their key to victory.
If Louisiana Lafayette finds themselves down early, they’re going to have a hard time coming back. They will rely on their stout front seven and attempt to keep the southern Miss Golden Eagles one-dimensional as well.
This is also the swan song for senior quarterback Nick Mullens, who is hoping for an NFL future. The Cajuns won’t be able to put up enough of a fight to stop the determined signal-caller’s passing attack. Take Southern Mississippi to find a way with their passing game to be up by -2 at half-time. If you like totals, I recommend the under 58 in this game.
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