UL-Lafayette vs Iowa State picks and predictions for Sept 12

Brock Purdy and the Iowa State Cyclones look to kick off their season the right way against Louisiana-Lafayette, as try to post their fourth-straight winning season.

Michael Jenkins
Sep 7, 2020 • 00:32 ET
Iowa State QB Brock Purdy NCAA
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

The wait is over! College football betting fans can rejoice that the sport finally returns this weekend, and before you say it, yes there were a handful of matchups on September 5.  

But let’s be honest with each other: a full slate of games with eight big-screen TVs in your face while you gulp down a few orders of chicken wings and one too many IPAs is much better than a sleep-inducing slap fest between a couple of low-level FCS schools.

I have issues. I apologize.

Let’s head to Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, and give you our best NCAA football picks and predictions for Saturday’s September 12 showdown between the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and the Iowa State Cyclones, set for a noon kickoff.

Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns vs Iowa State Cyclones betting preview

Weather

It should be a beautiful day for football on Saturday, with the forecast calling for sunny skies and a high of 68 during the game. Rain is not in the forecast, and a slight wind will be blowing out of the southwest. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.

Injuries

Louisiana-Lafayette: Neal Johnson TE (Out), Jamal Bell WR (Out), Calif Gossett WR (Out), Brian Smith Jr. WR (out), Ferrod Gardner LB (ques), Golden Eke III (out)
Iowa State: No injuries to report
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.

Betting trend to know

Iowa State is 1-4 ATS in its last four games. Find more NCAA football betting trends for Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Iowa State.

 

Against the spread (ATS) pick

You can’t mention Iowa State without immediately turning the conversation to quarterback Brock Purdy. The senior signal-caller has an outside shot to win the Heisman Trophy (+6,000) and is looking to lead the Cyclones to a winning season for the fourth consecutive year. That hasn’t been done in Ames since 1925.

Iowa State put up the most points in school history last year, but Purdy will have to shoulder more of the load in 2020. Leading receiver Deshaunte Jones is gone, along with four starting offensive linemen, though All-Big 12 tight end Charlie Kolar is back. Iowa State went 5-7 ATS last season, and while their defense features standout defensive back Greg Eisworth, the D should have its hands full with an explosive Ragin’ Cajuns attack.

Louisiana-Lafayette is coming off an 11-3 year in which they finished in the Top 10 nationally in total offense, scoring offense, and yards per play. Quarterback Levi Lewis threw for 26 TDs and only four interceptions last season, though the Cajuns would rather pound the rock.

Running backs Trey Ragas and Elijah Mitchell have rushed for a combined 5,203 yards during their collegiate careers, more than any duo in the country. The Ragin’ Cajuns were 9-5 ATS last season, and the Cyclones tend to start slow — their past two season openers featured a triple-overtime win against Northern Iowa and a loss to the arch-rival Iowa Hawkeyes.

PREDICTION: ULL +10.5 (-110)

 

Over/Under pick

The Ragin’ Cajuns aren’t exactly slouches on defense either, with all five starters returning to a secondary that ranked 11th in passing touchdowns allowed last season. They’re experienced enough to at least keep Purdy at bay, and ULL’s rushing attack should slow down the pace of this game.

In addition, the Under is 7-2 in ULL’s last nine games.

PREDICTION: Under 56.5 (-110)

First quarter Over/Under pick

Casual bettors will see Purdy playing at home against a team from the Sun Belt Conference and instantly start looking for points.

But, in the past two seasons, the Cyclones are 0-8 when they rush for less than 100 yards. Iowa State needs to establish a presence on the ground early, despite Purdy’s gifts for throwing the football. That desire to get the running game going will come at a cost — the absence of the aforementioned early points.

Now let’s put in an order for some wings.

PREDICTION: First quarter Under 13 (-115)

Louisiana-Lafayette vs Iowa State betting card

  • ULL +10.5 (-110)
  • Under 56.5 (-110)
  • First quarter Under 13 (-115)
NCAA Parlays

Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NCAA Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Iowa State picks, you could win $58.14 on a $10 bet?

Use our NCAA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.

Where can I bet on college football?

You can bet on college football odds at every online and casino sportsbooks, including NCAA football point spreads, Over/Under totals, derivative bets and even prop plays as well. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on college football odds in your area.

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