Tennessee football: Vols, SEC and top 25 predictions for Week 1 of 2019
Mississippi State Bulldogs at Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns
TV: ESPNU; Line: Mississippi State -12; Over/Under: 58.5
Saturday, Aug. 31 at 12 p.m.; Mercedes-Benz Superdome; New Orleans, La.
We have no idea what to make of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and it makes for a major toss-up game when they play Tennessee football later this year. But this opening game will help give us an idea of what they are. Entering Joe Moorhead’s second season, they should be more familiar with the offensive and the defensive schemes.
However, at the same time, the Bulldogs lose a ton of talent from last year. And now, news has broken that they will have 10 players miss eight games due to a probation from an academic scandal. Having this hit a week before their opener is not ideal.
MSU goes to a unique location to play a Group of Five school on the road. The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are going from Lafayette to New Orleans to open the season in the Superdome. That may actually bring more State fans. After going 7-7 his first season, Billy Napier returns two-thirds of his team and is looking to make a major splash this year.
Prediction
Louisiana-Lafayette lost 56-10 to the Mississippi State Bulldogs last year. But all these distractions to start this season with two second-year head coaches favors the Ragin’ Cajuns. They will make this a very close game. MSU wins in the end, but it will be surprising defensive win. Take Lafayette in the spread and take the under.