The Aztecs program made a great move when they hired head coach Rocky Long to replace the departing Brady Hoke.
The man worked wonders with nothing at New Mexico, going 65-69 SU in 11 seasons with the Lobos (UNM has gone 3-33 since fi ring Long), and Long made an immediate impression when SDSU opened the gambling season 3-0 for the first time since 1981.
Likewise, the hiring of Mark Hudspeth by La-Lafayette paid major dividends: the Ragin’ Cajuns enjoyed their first winning season since 1995 and, amazingly, qualified for their first bowl in 41 years!
In fact, a win today would match La-La’s only previous 9-win season in school history (1976). Spread history ‘points’ us toward the Cajuns as they’re 3-0 ATS versus bowlers this season and all Sun Belt dogs are 4-1-1 ATS as bowlers since 2005.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, San Diego State has cashed only once in four bowl appearances since 1986 and bowl favorites with fi rst-year coaches are 11- 21-1 ATS (Long himself is just 1-4 SU and ATS in the postseason).
Look for the bayou dwellers to do it with defense – their 7 interceptions returned for TD’s ties the FBS all-time record established in 1971.
The Aztecs also seem to fare better against weaker foes.
They’ve gone 6-1 SU versus .600 or less opponents this year while going only 1-3 SU versus greater-than .600 foes. And with today’s game taking place in the Superdome, you know there will be a LOT more crawdad-eatin’ Loozie-annans in the stands than sun-tanned Californians.
With the LSU game still three weeks away, this matchup is reason enough to throw a party in the Crescent City – and all that positive mojo should propel the Cajuns to a crowd-pleasing upset here.
Sportsbooks currently have the Aztecs listed as 5½-point favorites versus the Ragin` Cajuns, while the game's total is sitting at 60.
