Article Written by: Justin Pollock
When: Saturday, December 21, 9 p.m. EST
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans
Watch: ESPN
Over/Under: 48.5 points
Spread: Tulane (-2.5)
This years R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl takes place between the 7-5 Tulane Green Waves out of the C-USA going up against the 8-4 Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns who come out of the Sun Belt
History
The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns will be making their third straight appearance in the R+L Carriers New Orleans bowl against the hometown Tulane Green Waves, who have not been to a bowl game since the 2002 season. The Ragin’ Cajuns are a perfect 2-0 in their last two bowl appearances, beating East Carolina and San Diego State in New Orleans.
Both teams started the season off going 2-2. The Green Waves biggest loss came from South Alabama as they fell 41-39 at home, while their biggest win of the season was over East Carolina in OT where they won 36-33.
The Ragin’ Cajuns biggest loss of the season was also against South Alabama, but the Ragin’ Cajuns lost big, 30-8 without star quarterback Terrance Broadway. Their biggest win was against Western Kentucky, as they won on the road 37-20.
The head-to-head series between these two programs is in favor of Tulane, as they hold a 21-5 record against Louisiana Lafayette, but Louisiana Lafayette beat Tulane last season 41-13. Tulane’s bowl record is 4-6 and Louisiana Lafayette is 3-1 all time.
Impact players
The impact player for Louisiana-Lafayette is QB Terrance Broadway and the impact player for Tulane is DB Lorenzo Doss
QB Terrance Broadway is a big part of the Ragin’ Cajuns high powered rushing attack. As a QB, he has rushed for more than 400 yards and recorded 8 touchdown and all while passing for 2,276 yards and 19 touchdowns. Last year when he played Tulane, he gathered 150 yards through the air with 2 touchdowns and only 1 interceptions.
DB Lorenzo Doss is one of the underrated DB’s in FBS. Doss is No. 2 in the nation with seven interceptions and has more interception return yards than any other defender in college football at 185. Doss is a New Orleans native.
Another impact player to watch is the son of Joe Montana, Tulane’s QB Nick Montana who on the year has passed for more than 1600 while adding 14 touchdowns.
As a team, the Green Waves are a top 20 defense, only allowing 354.3 yards per game, but they have to stop the 30th ranked offense in FBS as the Ragin’ Cajuns average 34.6 points per game.
Predictions
I think the Green Waves defense is going to hold the Ragin’ Cajuns offense this game and get the win. I also predict that Lorenzo Doss has a pick six in the game as he is returning home and playing in front of a lot of his friends and family members.
Tulane: 30-24
