[9:00 PM] Southern Miss v. Louisiana-Lafayette

Who will WIN this matchup?

Southern Miss Golden Eagles (6-6)

Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (6-6)

 

• The Ragin’ Cajuns should feel right at home in the Superdome after making four straight appearances in the New Orleans Bowl from 2011-14. Louisiana earned the win on the field in all four trips – beating San Diego State, East Carolina, Tulane and Nevada, but two of the victories were later vacated. Southern Miss lost to Washington in the Heart of Dallas Bowl last year and also is making its fifth appearance in the New Orleans Bowl after wins in 2004, 2005 and 2008 and a loss in 2009.

• The Golden Eagles are led by senior quarterback Nick Mullens, who returned from a two-game absence due to a concussion in the regular-season finale and totaled four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) to help clinch the bowl berth. Mullen will go up against a Ragin’ Cajuns pass defense that allowed opposing signal-callers to complete 62 percent of their throws during the regular season but have tightened things up of late. Louisiana surrendered 31 passing yards in its victory over Louisiana-Monroe.

• Mullens is playing his final college game after setting a school record with 85 career touchdown passes and found a new weapon in the finale in Keon Howard. Howard, who started two games at quarterback while Mullens was out, shared the field against Louisiana Tech while serving as a receiving and a wildcat threat in the backfield. Running back Ito Smith rushed for 1,321 yards and 15 TDs while adding 42 receptions to an offense that averages 33.4 points.

• The Ragin’ Cajuns will start a senior at quarterback as well in Anthony Jennings, who remarkably guided his team to a win in the regular-season finale without recording a passing yard (2-of-5 for zero yards). Running back Elijah McGuire rushed for over 1,000 yards for the third consecutive season and has recorded 52 career touchdowns (10 receiving). Louisiana turned things around on the defensive end down the stretch en route to bowl eligibility and totaled three defensive TDs in its final two games.

• The Golden Eagles are making their second straight bowl appearance while Louisiana is back after missing out in 2015.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Confidence: 4/10

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