2011 Predictions & Game Story
Week 8 - WKU at UL Lafayette
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Oct. 22 at WKU 42 … Louisiana-Lafayette 23
CFN Analysis: COMING
(AP) BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Western Kentucky snapped an 18-game home losing streak behind Bobby Rainey's career-high three touchdowns and 206 rushing yards in a 42-23 win over Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday.
The Hilltoppers (3-4, 3-1 Sun Belt Conference) led the entire way after Rainey scored from 1 yard out on their opening drive. Rainey erased any doubt for a win when he broke a 24-yard touchdown with 1:09 to play for the final margin.
Kadeem Jones added two touchdowns for the Hilltoppers, and Kawaun Jakes went 15 of 18 for 242 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
The Ragin' Cajuns (6-2, 4-1) hadn't lost since their season-opener against Oklahoma State, while the Hilltoppers have notched wins in each of their last three games.
Blaine Gautier led Louisiana-Lafayette, going 32 of 51 for 419 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
It was Western Kentucky's first home victory over a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent.
ULL (6-1) at Western Kentucky (2-4) Oct. 22, 4:00
Here’s The Deal … Western Kentucky ended a 26 game losing streak last year by defeating ULL in Lafayette by a score of 54-21. This is not last year’s Cajun team, and ULL will be out to avenge the poor performance from a year ago. WKU enters this game on a two game winning streak, beating both Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic on the road after starting the season 0-4. On the other side of the field, ULL has been the biggest surprise in the country this year jumping out to a 6-1 record, which is the best record for any team in Sun Belt Conference history after seven games. This is a huge conference showdown with ULL 4-0 in the SBC, and WKU is 2-1. The winner of this game will be in great position to represent the conference in the New Orleans Bowl at the end of the season.
Why ULL Might Win: The Cajun passing attack kicked it into high gear last week with QB Blaine Gautier throwing for 238 yards and 4 touchdowns. Gautier has the 9th best passing efficiency rating in the country, and the Cajuns should be able to outscore a WKU offense that is 107th in the nation and struggles to score points. ULL also has done an outstanding job rushing the passer this year, averaging 3.14 sacks per game, and the Cajun defense should be able to put pressure on the anemic Hilltopper offense throughout the contest.
Why Western Kentucky Might Win: After two big conference wins on the road, WKU enters this game with momentum and the confidence that it can hang with any team in the Sun Belt. RB Bobby Rainey leads the Hilltopper charge and is one of the best runners in the country. He averages 117.33 yards per game and will be looking to try and break through the ULL defense that has been very good so far this year. If he can break the century mark then WKU’s chances of upsetting ULL will significantly increase. The Hilltoppers also do a very good job at kick returns, averaging 26.68 yards per return which could be beneficial in winning the field position battle, and WKU will need all the breaks to pull off the huge conference win.
What To Watch Out For: ULL WR Darryl Surgent & WKU QB Kawaun Jakes. Surgent had his best game of the season last week against North Texas, totaling 170 all-purpose yards, including 109 yards on 2 receptions with a touchdown. Gautier will look for him throughout the game, and if they can connect on a big play or two then ULL could break the game wide open. Jakes is a wildcard for the Hilltoppers. He has had a very up-and-down season so far, and WKU will only go as far as he takes them. Jakes has only thrown 4 touchdowns all season and has 8 interceptions. He will have to limit his mistakes and stretch the field to keep the ULL defense from keying on Rainey. A great game by Jakes will be necessary for WKU to emerge victorious in their 2011 Homecoming game.
What Will Happen: WKU will exert a valiant effort in front of the home fans and will pull out all the stops to try and get its first home win of the season. The Hilltoppers have had a very strong turnaround in their past couple of games, but the Cajuns have been shockingly consistent all season long. ULL will control time of possession and make the least mistakes to pull off the road victory and continue its hot start to the year.
CFN Prediction: ULL 34 … Western Kentucky 27
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UL Lafayette -3 O/U: 46.5
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