Conference championship predictions for 2019 college football season
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns at No. 21 Appalachian State Mountaineers
Sun Belt Championship Game
Line: Appalachian State -6; Over/Under: 56; TV: ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 7 at Noon ET; Kidd Brewer Stadium; Boone, N.C.
Why is nobody talking about the Appalachian State Mountaineers for the Group of Five bid to a New Years Six game? They have beaten as many Power Five teams as the Memphis Tigers, one, and both won them in the SEC. If not for one upset loss on a weeknight, they would be undefeated right now.
Well, they are in the top 25 at 11-1. This team did not lose a beat with the departure of Scott Satterfield, as Eli Drinkwitz has them rolling. Despite his offensive background, Appalachian State has been all about balance this year. They won one game 17-7 and another 20-15, but they have also won games 56-41 and 56-37.
Lining up to face them are the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns. This team gave an SEC program a fight at the beginning of the year when facing the Mississippi State Bulldogs on a neutral field. Second-year head coach Billy Napier has them at 10-2, and a Sun Belt conference championship would be a great statement for the program.
Prediction
That 17-7 win by Appalachian State was against Louisiana. And it was on the road. They will win by a larger margin this time since they’re at home. The Mountaineers’ defense will hold them to under 10 points again, which is why this game won’t hit the over. But they’ll make sure they cover. Take them in a blowout.