East Carolina vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
Fri., Dec. 22 - Noon ET, ESPN
New Orleans - Louisiana Superdome
Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4) has a difficult act to follow. In last season’s New Orleans Bowl, the school’s first-ever bowl appearance, the Ragin’ Cajuns defeated San Diego State 32-30 on Brett Baer’s 50-yard field goal as time expired.
Whew!
OK, every bowl isn’t like that, Cajuns. The second time around might be more of a struggle. The Cajuns steadied the ship after a 1-3 midseason slump, including a heartbreaking 27-20 loss at Florida when the Gators won on a blocked punt return with two seconds remaining, and made sure last season’s bowl trip wasn’t a novelty.
East Carolina (8-4) mounted a rally of its own, winning five of its last six games, including an insane 65-59 double-overtime victory against Marshall, the most points the Pirates have scored in 31 years.
Let’s go with the hot hand, which belongs to slinging sophomore quarterback Shane Carden of East Carolina.
Opening point spread: Louisiana-Lafayette by 4 1/2
The pick: East Carolina 38, Louisiana-Lafayette 31
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