Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs UTSA Roadrunners: SERVPRO First Responder Bowl prediction and game preview.
Louisiana vs UTSA: SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Broadcast
Date: Saturday, December 26
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET
Venue: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX
Network: ABC
– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions
Louisiana (9-1) vs UTSA (7-4) Game Preview
For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM
Three Reasons Why You Should Watch The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
– It’s just the second bowl game in the young history of UTSA football – losing the first in 2016 – but first year head coach Jeff Traylor has built up something positive in a hurry, starting with the running game that dominated late in the season. Unfortunately, he’s not going to get his chance to be out there after testing positive for COVID.
– Louisiana’s running style under head coach Billy Napier has been among the nation’s most effective over the last few years. UTSA might be relatively new to the bowl world, but this is the third bowl in a row under Napier. His team is going to bring the attitude along with RB Elijah Mitchell and a great backfield.
– UTSA will be fired up to play in this, but Louisiana is going to play disrespected. It beat Fiesta Bowl-bound Iowa State 31-14, and it’s only loss of the season is to unbeaten Coastal Carolina. Nothing against this bowl, but the Ragin’ Cajuns deserved a brighter spotlight against a bigger opponent. Now they have to show why.
Why Louisiana, UTSA Will Win
What’s Going to Happen, Prediction, History
NEXT: Why Louisiana Will Win, Why UTSA Will Win, Louisiana vs UTSA Prediction
Why Louisiana Will Win
– The Ragin’ Cajuns are for real. For all of the gushing over Coastal Carolina, Louisiana only lost by three in a great fight, beat Iowa State by 17, went on the road and beat eventual Conference USA champion UAB, and in all, beat five bowl teams. How are they doing it? It starts with an offensive line and an offensive system that doesn’t allow anything to happen in the backfield and consistently cranks up big production from the ground game.
– Louisiana hasn’t allowed much of anything through the air. No one there for 300 yards – Iowa State’s Brock Purdy threw for 145 – and oddly enough, option-offense Georgia Southern came up with the best passing day of the year on this group with just 255 yards. UTSA can throw, but …
– Frank Harris is a good runner and has had his moments as a passer, but he’s not consistent enough. His ten touchdown passes have come in bunches. When he’s on, the team plays well and wins. When he’s off, there’s a problem. Again with the Louisiana secondary, quarterbacks have combined to hit just 51% of their passes with eight touchdowns and 15 interceptions on the year against this group.
Why UTSA Will Win
– The Roadrunners can run a little bit, too. The 443-yard running day against North Texas was a bit of an anomaly – Appalachian State showed in the Myrtle Beach Bowl just how bad the Mean Green run D is – but they ripped off well over 200 yards in each of the last three games thanks to the best running back you probably haven’t heard of.
– Sincere McCormick is a tough, quick 5-9, 200-pound sophomore who came up with a good 983-yard freshman season and blew up this year. The nation’s second-leading rusher who missed a game but still ran for 1,345 yards and 11 touchdowns. Louisiana has the defensive talent to keep McCormick from going off, but he’ll still put up at least 150 yards.
– The Louisiana defense doesn’t get behind the line. UTSA doesn’t do too much to control the clock, but Louisiana doesn’t do anything at all when it comes to time of possession – the Ragin’ Cajun O moves fast, but that’s not always a great thing. UTSA led Conference USA in tackles for loss – that’s a must to get to QB Levi Lewis and the great backfield.
NEXT: What’s Going To Happen, Louisiana vs UTSA Prediction, SERVPRO First Responder Bowl History
What’s Going To Happen
UTSA is an interesting team. It only lost at BYU by seven and it gave UAB problem – but lost.
All the wins were against the weak on the slate, but there’s enough production from both sides of the line to keep this close for a while.
UTSA has benefited in a huge way by not losing the turnover margin – the team doesn’t give the ball away – but Louisiana is even stronger when it comes to forcing mistakes with two or more in every game but the loss to Coastal Carolina.
It’ll be a grind for a bit, and then the Ragin’ Cajuns will pull away in the second half once the running game busts through.
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl: Louisiana vs UTSA Prediction, Line
Louisiana 31, UTSA 16
Bet on Louisiana vs UTSA with BetMGM
Louisiana -14, o/u: 57
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
– CFN Experts Picks: SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Must See Rating: 3
5: New Year’s Day on the couch
1: New Year’s Eve going out
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl History
Dec. 30, 2019 WKU 23, Western Michigan 20
Dec. 26, 2018 Boise State vs. Boston College CANCELLED
Dec. 26, 2017 Utah 30, West Virginia 14
Dec. 27, 2016 Army 38, North Texas 31 OT
Dec. 26, 2015 Washington 44, Southern Miss 31
Dec. 26, 2014 Louisiana Tech 35, Illinois 18
Jan. 1, 2014 North Texas 36, UNLV 14
Jan. 1, 2013 Oklahoma State 58, Purdue 14
Jan. 2, 2012 Houston 30, Penn State 14
Jan. 1, 2011 Texas Tech 45, Northwestern 38
