The Appalachian State Mountaineers are set to face the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns this weekend. Check out our college football odds series, which includes our Appalachian State-Louisiana prediction, odds, and pick.
The Sun Belt Championship Game features two very familiar faces. Anyone thinking about an Appalachian State Louisiana pick knows these teams have met before in this crowning clash. The circumstances were different, however. In recent years, Appalachian State has had the coach in the carousel, preparing to make a move up to the Power Five level. This time, Louisiana is the team with a coach on the move. As is often the case in conference championship games when a coach is either rumored to be on the move, or has already confirmed that he will be leaving for another job, one of the central tasks — it is always tricky — is to discern whether the team with the soon-to-depart coach will be fully invested in him, or if it will mentally check out.
You saw what happened with Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game against Utah. Maybe Mario Cristobal will stay at Oregon, but the swirling rumors about a possible departure to Miami seemed to affect the team. The fact that offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead was linked to the Akron head coaching job might have affected his own preparations as well. Yet, sometimes it is the case that a soon-to-leave coach inspires a great performance from his players on his way out the door. If you are thinking about an Appalachian State-Louisiana prediction, you have to consider all possibilities.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the odds:
College Football odds: Appalachian State-Louisiana Odds
Appalachian State: -2.5 (-114)
Louisiana: +2.5 (-106)
Over: 52.5 (-108)
Under: 52.5 (-112)
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Why Appalachian State Could Cover the Spread
The Mountaineers defeated Coastal Carolina, last year's Sun Belt Conference champion, to win the division title and make their way back into this game, which they won two years earlier. Appalachian State has been the standard-bearer in this conference, though Louisiana has made a steady stream of appearances to this game and might be the most consistent team in the conference in recent years. This is a game in which two proven teams are on the field. Given that Appalachian State dethroned Coastal Carolina, it is perfectly logical and rational to think the Mountaineers have what it takes to turn back the Ragin' Cajuns in a high-stakes battle.
Why Louisiana Could Cover the Spread
The Ragin' Cajuns will want to give coach Billy Napier the perfect sendoff. Napier has just been hired by Florida as the Gators' new head coach. Napier did not get into trouble in this situation. He didn't promise his team he was staying. He didn't lie or make a false commitment. He was open in pursuing the Florida job. The Gators wanted him. He took the deal. Keep in mind that Napier has spent the past several seasons with the Ragin' Cajuns. He is not an example of a coach who parachutes into town for one year, maybe two, and then scoots. He has stuck it out with this program. Players know he gave it his best. They will likely play hard for him.
Final Appalachian State-Louisiana Prediction & Pick
It comes down to whether you think Louisiana will play hard for Billy Napier. The verdict here is yes. Cajuns win.
Final Appalachian State-Louisiana Pick: Louisiana +2.5
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