Yahoo Sports Louisiana vs. Tulane: Cure Bowl preview and predictions
Louisiana (7-6) vs. Tulane (6-6)
Location: Orlando, Florida | Time: 1:30 p.m. ET | TV: CBSSN | Line: Tulane -3.5
HOW THESE TEAMS GOT HERE
Louisiana: In its first season under Billy Napier, ULL won the Sun Belt West and squared off against mighty App State in the conference title game, but fell 30-19. Before losing to the Mountaineers, the Ragin’ Cajuns rallied with three straight wins to close out the regular season to clinch the division and bowl eligibility.
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Tulane: After a 2-5 start, Tulane reached a bowl by winning four of its last five games down the stretch. Last year, Tulane fell short of its sixth win when it came up inches short of the goal line instead of trying to force overtime with a field goal. This year, Willie Fritz rolled the dice again by going for two instead of a tying extra point with 1:27 to play in the season finale. This time, Tulane converted and won the game, 29-28, to clinch bowl eligibility.
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH
Two Louisiana programs competing against each other certainly adds some intrigue. The teams have played 28 times over the years — dating all the way back to 1911. But this is the first time the Green Wave and Ragin’ Cajuns will meet outside the state of Louisiana. The two played in the regular season in 2016 with Tulane pulling out a 41-39 win. Before that, the two sides met in the 2013 New Orleans Bowl — a 24-21 win for ULL.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Trey Ragas, RB, Louisiana: ULL has relied heavily on its running game this season, with Ragas leading the way with 1,141 yards and eight touchdowns. He also has 24 catches for 214 yards on the season. Ragas and fellow sophomore Elijah Mitchell (951 yards, 12 TDs) have been the top 1-2 punch at the position in the Sun Belt.
Justin McMillan, QB, Tulane: The LSU transfer was inserted into the starting lineup late in the season and combined for 810 yards and six touchdowns in his last three starts. He had his best game in the regular season finale against Navy, completing 18-of-29 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns while adding 51 yards and a score on the ground.
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WHAT’S ON THE LINE
Louisiana: After Mark Hudspeth’s tenure ended with three straight losing seasons, ULL can start the Billy Napier era with a winning record and a bowl victory.
Tulane: Tulane can win a bowl game for the first time since 2002 while clinching its first winning season since 2013.
PREDICTIONS
Nick Bromberg: Tulane 27, Louisiana 20
Sam Cooper: Tulane 28, Louisiana 24
Pat Forde: Tulane 34, Louisiana 30
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