UL Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Iowa State Cyclones Free NCAAF Pick, 9–12–2020
Free NCAAF Pick by Austin Clark of PrecisionPicks.com
UL Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Iowa State Cyclones
Odds: Iowa State -11.5
O/U: 57
Game Time: Saturday, September 12, 2020, 12:00 PM EST
The Iowa State Cyclones will host UL Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa on Saturday for a college football season kickoff. UL Lafayette is coming off one of the best seasons in their history going 11–3 and beating Miami Ohio in the LendingTree Bowl. Iowa State had a disappointing campaign in 2019 going 7–6 but lost to Notre Dame in the Camping World Bowl.
Louisiana-Lafayette is coming off an impressive season in which they finished in the Top 10 nationally in total offense, scoring offense, and yards per play. QB Levi Lewis threw for 26 TDs and only four interceptions last season, though the Cajuns would rather pound the rock. Running backs Trey Ragas and Elijah Mitchell have rushed for a combined 5,203 yards during their collegiate careers, more than any duo in the country. Defensively, the Ragin’ Cajuns are in good shape returning 10 of the top 14 tacklers from last season. UL Lafayette led the Sun Belt last season allowing less than 20 points per game.
Senior signal-caller Brock Purdy is the face of this Iowa State program as he aims to lead the Cyclones to their fourth straight winning season. Iowa State put up the most points in school history last year, but Purdy will have to shoulder more of the load in 2020. Leading receiver Deshaunte Jones is gone, along with four starting offensive linemen. Look for Purdy to find TE Charlie Kolar who caught 51 passes and 7 touchdowns last season. Iowa State’s defense will be led by senior defensive back Greg Eisworth who was solid last season recording 65 tackles (28 solo) and 1 INT.
Both of these teams return key pieces on the offensive side of the ball which sets up an intriguing first-week matchup. The college football landscape is much different this season and no team has had the benefit of preparation which typically benefits the offense. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 4–1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games, 7–3 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog, and 9–4 ATS in their last 13 road games. The Cyclones are 9–4 ATS in their last 13 games in September but 2–6 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games, 0–4 ATS in their last 4 home games, and 2–6 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games.
Take the Ragin’ Cajuns +11.5 points on the road on Saturday. Both teams will have to work out early season kinks but UL-Lafayette returns a potent offense which should keep this team in the game and I wouldn’t be surprised if they won outright. This is a very good team that will compete each week this season and I’ll take the points in this matchup on Saturday.
Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Cyclones FREE NCAAF Pick — Ragin’ Cajuns +11.5
