PREMIUM
AAA's *Lafayette/Kentucky* Opening Sat. BLOCKBUSTER!
(NCAAF) Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Kentucky,
Point Spread: 15.50 | -107.00 Louisiana-Lafayette (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 15.50 | -107.00 Louisiana-Lafayette (Away)
Result: Win
This is an 8* BLOCKBUSTER on Louisiana Lafayette.
The Ragin' Cajuns have ended their last four seasons by playing in the New Orleans Bowl under Mark Hudspeth's direction, each time finishing with an identical 9-4 overall record. Louisiana Lafayette will look to duplicate those results in 2015/16, but will need to overcome a few obstacles, relying on new starters at key positions, including at quarterback, will be the main one.
The Ragin' Cajuns:
Lafayette's offense would finish 10th in the Sun Belt in passing, fourth in rushing and sixth in total offense last season. Not so great. It was however extremely efficient when it did get in the red zone, as it finished No. 1 in the league in that department. The offensive load will be handled by RB Elijah McGuire, the 2014 Sun Bet Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. Others will have to help though, three players will be battling it out early for the starting QB position, as juniors Brooks Haack and Jalen Nixon, along with freshman Jordan Davis will try to fill the void left by Terrance Broadway. The offensive line returns two starters and their is plenty of talent at WR, including CJ Bates and Al Riles. The defense moves in a different direction this year led by co-defensive coordinators Charlie Harbison and Melvin Smith, these two will be tasked to better a unit which was actually pretty decent a season ago, finishing second in scoring defense and No. 1 in red-zone defense in the Sun Belt.
The Wildcats:
There is some room for optimism for lowly Kentucky this year and the team will be trying hard to forget a disappointing second half that left the Wildcats at home during bowl season in 2014/15 (in all the team managed just two SEC wins). The Wildcats turn to QB's Patrick Towles and Drew Barker, who will both see time in this competition, although Towles has more experience. The team also has two exciting players at RB as Stanley Williams and Jojo Kemp will each see plenty of touches in this game and throughout the season. The true strength of the offense though is the line which returns all four starters. The defense is decent with a few holes to fill, led by the likes of FS AJ Stamps who had four INT's last year, along with corners Fred Tiller and Cody Quinn.
The bottom line:
There are huge expectations for Kentucky this year, it just spent $120 million in stadium renovations, but its hard to forget its 0-6 finish in 2014. There is pressure on this team and in our opinion, all signs are pointing to a possible choke job to open the campaign.
The Cajuns have excelled under Hudspeth's direction and all signs point to another successful season. There is a quiet confidence about the team despite having to get a few positions "up to speed," based mainly on recent success. While we won't be calling for an outright upset, we do think that Kentucky will have enough of a mental letdown here to let the visitors comfortably sneak in through the back door down the stretch.
AAA Sports
The Ragin' Cajuns have ended their last four seasons by playing in the New Orleans Bowl under Mark Hudspeth's direction, each time finishing with an identical 9-4 overall record. Louisiana Lafayette will look to duplicate those results in 2015/16, but will need to overcome a few obstacles, relying on new starters at key positions, including at quarterback, will be the main one.
The Ragin' Cajuns:
Lafayette's offense would finish 10th in the Sun Belt in passing, fourth in rushing and sixth in total offense last season. Not so great. It was however extremely efficient when it did get in the red zone, as it finished No. 1 in the league in that department. The offensive load will be handled by RB Elijah McGuire, the 2014 Sun Bet Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. Others will have to help though, three players will be battling it out early for the starting QB position, as juniors Brooks Haack and Jalen Nixon, along with freshman Jordan Davis will try to fill the void left by Terrance Broadway. The offensive line returns two starters and their is plenty of talent at WR, including CJ Bates and Al Riles. The defense moves in a different direction this year led by co-defensive coordinators Charlie Harbison and Melvin Smith, these two will be tasked to better a unit which was actually pretty decent a season ago, finishing second in scoring defense and No. 1 in red-zone defense in the Sun Belt.
The Wildcats:
There is some room for optimism for lowly Kentucky this year and the team will be trying hard to forget a disappointing second half that left the Wildcats at home during bowl season in 2014/15 (in all the team managed just two SEC wins). The Wildcats turn to QB's Patrick Towles and Drew Barker, who will both see time in this competition, although Towles has more experience. The team also has two exciting players at RB as Stanley Williams and Jojo Kemp will each see plenty of touches in this game and throughout the season. The true strength of the offense though is the line which returns all four starters. The defense is decent with a few holes to fill, led by the likes of FS AJ Stamps who had four INT's last year, along with corners Fred Tiller and Cody Quinn.
The bottom line:
There are huge expectations for Kentucky this year, it just spent $120 million in stadium renovations, but its hard to forget its 0-6 finish in 2014. There is pressure on this team and in our opinion, all signs are pointing to a possible choke job to open the campaign.
The Cajuns have excelled under Hudspeth's direction and all signs point to another successful season. There is a quiet confidence about the team despite having to get a few positions "up to speed," based mainly on recent success. While we won't be calling for an outright upset, we do think that Kentucky will have enough of a mental letdown here to let the visitors comfortably sneak in through the back door down the stretch.
AAA Sports
