Oklahoma State at Louisiana-Lafayette
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
This Friday the Oklahoma State Cowboys will look to remain unbeaten when they go on the road to take on the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns. Oklahoma State has cruised to wins in their three other non-conference matchups this season, winning by an average of 29 points a game. The Ragin’ Cajuns have played just one non-conference game so far this season, losing at Georgia 55-7, the Bulldogs only win so far this season. The oddsmakers are calling for an easy win for Oklahoma State in this one, as the current odds have the Cowboys listed as 24-point favorites over the Ragin’ Cajuns on the road.
Oklahoma State (4-0, 1-0 Big 12): The Cowboys offense is rolling after the first four games of the season, as they are averaging just over 52 points a game. Last week they got off to slow start against Texas A&M, as the Cowboys trailed 21-7 after the first half, but in the second half the Cowboys poured on 31 points in a dramatic 38-35 win over the Aggies. The Cowboys offense needs every point they can get, as the defense has not been very good to start the season, as they won by just three points last week, despite the fact that they forced four interceptions and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
Quarterback Brandon Weeden had his ups and downs against the Aggies, as he threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns, but also had two interceptions. Overall Weeden has been outstanding for the Cowboys this season, throwing for 1259 yards with 13 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions. What really makes Oklahoma State dangerous is they can also run the football, as they average 170 yards a game behind running back Kendall Hunter. Against the Aggies, Hunter had 101 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 574 yards and eight scores on the season. On the outside wide out Justin Blackmon is having a monster season, with 34 catches for 558 yards and nine touchdowns, including 10 catches for 127 yards and a score against Texas A&M. Even if the defense continues to struggle, the Cowboys are going to be a very tough team to beat with the way they can move the ball on offense.
Louisiana-Lafayette (2-2, 2-1 Sun Belt): The Ragin’ Cajuns had a 28-14 lead over North Texas going into the fourth quarter, but after two touchdowns by the Mean Green it looked as though the game was headed to overtime, but a blocked extra point sealed the win for the Ragin’ Cajuns. Louisiana-Lafayette has been alright on the offensive side of the football, but they have really struggled slowing down opposing offenses, as the defense is giving up 35 points a game. They are going to need that defense to really step up this week at home if they want any chance of beating the Cowboys.
The Ragin’ Cajuns are also going to need a big game out of quarterback Chris Masson this week, as he has really been the offense for them so far this season. Masson has thrown for 721 yards and five touchdowns in the first four games, including a monster game against North Texas, where he threw for 310 yards and two scores. Louisiana should be able to put up some points against the Cowboys defense, but it is going to be hard for them to come anywhere close the amount needed to pull off the upset.
Looking at the Odds: With the way the Ragin’ Cajuns struggled against Georgia earlier this season, I think the right bet in this game is to take Oklahoma State and lay the 24 points. I believe the Cowboys offense is going to have a field day against the Ragin’ Cajuns defense in this one, and as bad as the Cowboys defense has been, I think they come away with a pretty solid performance this Friday. My final score prediction is Oklahoma State 58, Louisiana-Lafayette 24.
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