Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (4-1) at Texas State Bobcats (1-6)
Game Time: 7: 00 p.m.
Radio: ESPN 1420
TV: ESPNU
Mic'd Up Preview with Jay Walker
Can't Overlook the Bobcats
How many reasons does Louisiana have to overlook Texas State? Texas State has never beat Louisiana. The Cajuns are +43 against Texas State in two wins under Billy Napier. Texas State is 1-6, riding a 4 game losing streak. If you asked 100 people, 99 would pick Louisiana to win, the other doesn't watch football. (Ok, I may have made up the last one.) The point is, Louisiana is a Favorite, capital F. But don't sleep on Texas State. The Bobcats are better than they were in 2019, and coming off a five game road trip they will be happy to be at home where they've played well, losing their two home games against no. 22 SMU (5-1) and UTSA (4-3) by a combined 11 points. Billy Napier says the team has a playoff mindset, and knows after losing a conference game there is no room for error.
Big Spread, big expectations
The Cajuns' four-point win over UAB was the first time Louisiana covered the spread since topping Iowa State in the season opener. Vegas experts clearly don't love Louisiana like they did when they picked the team to beat Georgia State by 17. Still, Louisiana is a 16.5 point favorite, giving you a glimpse of what many expect out of the team Saturday. Since the opener, each Cajuns' game has been decided by four or fewer points. Billy Napier admittedly said this week that he knows the team hasn't reached its potential. Covering that spread would likely mean seeing the best of the Cajuns, particularly the offense which has been held under 300 yards already twice this year.
Calif Returns
Calif Gossett has never been a big part of Louisiana's game plan, but having the junior back is a breath of fresh air for an offense which hasn't lived up to expectations. Gossett, who is coming off an Achilles injury, is listed as a starter Saturday night. Gossett has just 18 career receptions for 221 yards. Louisiana has gotten great production out of freshman Kyren Lacy (11 catches for 199 yards, TD) and Errol Rogers (6 catches, 58 yards, TD) but will welcome a little experience, especially one that packs a 6-foot-6-inch frame.
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