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The 2020 season for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns was a special one, riding a 9-1 season to a share of the Sun Belt championship and a No. 19 ranking by College Football Playoff committee heading into bowl season. With head coach Billy Napier now in tact for another year, they’ll look to secure their second straight 10+ win season in Dallas when meeting the rising Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners in the First Responders Bowl.
Starting the year off with an upset victory over Big XII runner-up Iowa State, the Cajuns grinded through their 2020 schedule by stacking up a series of close wins, with six of their nine victories coming by 10 points or less. Their lone setback came at the hands of Coastal Carolina in October, whom they were set to play in a rematch for the Sun Belt Championship before the game was canceled due to Covid-19.
UTSA, meanwhile, was a bit of a surprise team in C-USA under first-year head coach Jeff Traylor. After starting 3-3, the Roadrunners won four of their last five contests to finish Traylor’s first season at 7-4. A few individuals shined bright for UTSA with running back Since McCormick (226 carries, 1,345 yards, 11 touchdowns) being named C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and punter Lucas Dean (46.3 yards per punt) taking home C-USA Specialist of the Year honors.
Game Time/TV Channel/Streaming
You can watch Louisiana face off against UTSA in the First Responder Bowl on Saturday, December 26 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. You can stream it via WatchESPN or the ESPN app with a cable or streaming service login.
Point Spread, Totals, Odds, Trends
Point spread: Louisiana (-14) vs. UTSA
Money line: Louisiana -625, UTSA +390
Point Total: 55
Betting Splits
Louisiana: (66% of handle, 64% of bets)
UTSA: (34% of handle, 36% of bets)
- UTSA is 6-5 against the spread this season, Louisiana is 5-5.
- The Under has hit in seven of Louisiana’s games this year and eight of UTSA’s.
- Louisiana is 3-5 against the spread as a favorite this season, UTSA is 4-2 as an underdog.
The Best Bet
Both defenses had a knack for forcing takeaways with the Cajuns getting 21 turnovers to the Roadrunners’ 18 throughout the season, so that’s something to keep in mind.
SP+ favors the Cajuns but with so many of their victories this season coming by small margins and UTSA surging down the stretch, expect the Roadrunners to keep things close in Dallas.
Pick: UTSA +14
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