Louisiana/App State
Week 7 preview
Picks
All times CT
Tuesday
Louisiana 41
App State 13
Montrell Johnson (UL) 14 att 103 yards 1 TD
Kaiden Smith (App St) 10 tackles, 1 TFL
A bigger statement could not have been made as the Cajuns dominated App State in every way on Tuesday night to secure their first home win against the Mountaineers. Louisiana became the first Sun Belt team ever to hold App State to just one touchdown.
Louisiana controlled the line of scrimmage, picking up 246 rushing yards while holding the visitors to just 78 rushing yards on 2.7 yards per carry. Chase Brice struggled to protect the football for the first time this season, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble.
App State failed to convert a single third down in 11 attempts and lost the first and fourth quarters by a combined score of 34-3. The loss makes the upcoming Coastal Carolina game even more imperative for the Mountaineers while Louisiana remains in the driver’s seat out west.
Thursday
Georgia Southern at South Alabama
Time: 6:30
TV: ESPNU
Spread: USA -3
Location: Mobile, Al
Both teams are coming off close losses and the Jaguars have lost two in a row by a total of four points. Georgia Southern mounted a second half comeback against Troy but gave up a late field goal that dropped the Eagles to 1-2 in conference play.
The Eagles have been up and down with their run game having played to their opponents level for the most part. Against Arkansas State’s “defense,” GS ran for over 500 yards. Against the very stout Troy front seven the next week, the Eagles were held to 82 yards.
The Jags have developed a propensity for making games ugly as of late and its put them in a position to win all season. Untimely turnovers ultimately cost USA last week, though. On the plus side, it has a top three run defense in the conference and a fresh roll of film from last week’s Troy/GS game to benefit from.
Saturday
Troy at Texas State
Time: 2:00
TV: ESPN+
Spread: Troy -7.5
Location: San Marcos, TX
Troy has not lost to Texas State since 1997. That game was also the only time the Trojans have left San Marcos without a win. In the only two times Troy has visited Texas State this century, the Trojans have outscored the Bobcats by a combined score of 103-34.
Neither offenses are setting the turf on fire so far this year. Troy turned to a new starting quarterback last week and handed the keys to 2020 starter Gunnar Watson. The result was a season-high vs FBS teams 27 points. The Trojans have also found a rhythm with its run game, as well, rushing for at least 139 yards in each of their last two games after running for just 137 in the previous three games combined.
The key for Texas State is to protect the football, capitalize on every plus-territory opportunity and revert Troy’s run game back to early season form.
Louisiana-Monroe at Liberty
Time: 6:00
TV: ESPN+
Spread: ULM +32.5
Location: Monroe, LA
The Warhawks followed up their big home win over Troy by getting trucked by both Coastal Carolina and Georgia State. ULM gave up over 50 points in both contests and now have to face Malik Willis and the Liberty Flames.
Chandler Rogers has been the focal point of the offense as the backup quarterback has had to step into a starting role in recent weeks. Rogers has been the leading rusher in both of his starts as Terry Bowden and staff struggle to find a groove on that side of the ball.
It’s a lot worse on defense, though. If not for Arkansas State, ULM would have the worst scoring defense in the league. It’s tied for last in the Sun Belt in tackles for loss and is one of only six teams in the entire country to allow opponents to convert on at least half of their third down attempts.
Standings
East
Coastal Carolina 6-0, 2-0
Appalachian State 4-2, 1-1
Troy 3-3, 1-1
Georgia State 2-4, 1-1
Georgia Southern 2-4, 1-1
West
Louisiana 5-1, 3-0
Texas State 2-3, 1-0
ULM 2-3, 1-2
South Alabama 3-2, 0-2
Arkansas State 1-5, 0-2
Picks
The whole gang voted pretty uniform here which is good news for the teams we showed zero respect to.
These picks are against the spread, as always.