Week 2 - Nicholls State at South Alabama

Week 2 CFN Fearless Prediction – Nicholls State at South Alabama

- CFN Fearless Predictions

Nicholls State (0-0) at South Alabama (0-1) Sept. 8, 5:00, ESPN3

Here’s The Deal: South Alabama lost a heartbreaker to UTSA with the Roadrunners hitting a 51-yard field goal in the final seconds. The Jaguars didn’t get the offense rolling, but it was able take advantage of opportunities and came up big in the fourth quarter only to fall just short. Looking to come up with their first win as an FCS team before going to North Carolina State, they’re facing a Nicholls State team coming into the season on a ten-game losing streak. There wasn’t any offense, the defense didn’t get into the backfield, and there were too many mistakes. Before going to Tulsa next week, the Colonels have to show that it’s a new year.

Why Nicholls State Might Win: Can the Nicholls State defense keep the South Alabama rushing game under wraps? UTSA was able to keep the Jaguars to just 126 yards and two scores, failing to allow many big runs. The Colonel defensive line might not be able to get to the quarterback, but it should be able to avoid being steamrolled over.

Why South Alabama Might Win: Has anything improved for the Colonel offense? Nothing worked last season averaging a putrid 283 yards per game with no passing efficiency. The defense wasn’t any better, getting torn up for deep way too often. More than anything else, the team couldn’t stop making mistakes with 35 turnovers. Have things changed? It’s going to take a massive about face to merely be decent.

What To Watch Out For: South Alabama got a typical great game from linebacker Jake Johnson, who made eight tackles against UTSA, but it wasn’t enough. He and Enrique Williams form one of the WAC’s best linebacking tandems with great range and hitting ability. These two should combine for close to 20 tackles keeping the NSU running game under wraps.

What Will Happen: It’s not going to be a pretty start for Nicholls State. South Alabama will make up for last week’s painful defeat with a blowout.

CFN Prediction: South Alabama 45 … Nicholls State 16
ATS Consultants Line (Click for more lines and picks) No Line O/U: No Line
Must Watch Rating (5 – Phineas & Ferb, 1 – Steve Harvey): 1