UL Lafayette @ San Diego State preview

NEW ORLEANS BOWL STORYLINES

1. San Diego State had to sweat out the bowl selection process despite having eight victories and was one of the last teams to receive an invitation. Louisiana-Lafayette figures to have a boisterous game-night following with its campus located just two-plus hours west of New Orleans.

2. Both teams excel at putting points on the board and have solid quarterbacks. The Aztecs averaged 29.8 points with Ryan Lindley (2,740 yards, 20 touchdowns) becoming the school’s all-time leader in passing yards with 12,277. The Ragin’ Cajuns average 32.3 points with quarterback Blaine Gautier throwing for 2,488 yards and 20 touchdowns. His 20 TD passes match the school mark held by Jake Delhomme (20 in both 1995 and 1996).

3. San Diego State’s Ronnie Hillman has 1,656 yards (second-most in school history) and ranks third in the nation in rushing yards per game (138.0) while rushing for 19 touchdowns. Louisiana-Lafayette is average at stopping the run, ranking 55th nationally while allowing 144.5 per game.

4. Louisiana-Lafayette is playing in its first bowl game in 41 years. Coincidentally, San Diego State’s appearance in the 2010 Poinsettia Bowl marked the Aztecs’ first bowl win in 41 years. The Aztecs are 4-4 in bowl games; the Ragin’ Cajuns are 1-1.

TV: ESPN LINE: San Diego State -4.5

ABOUT LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE (8-4, 6-2 Sun Belt): The Ragin’ Cajuns lost their last two regular-season games after a surprising 8-2 start. Louisiana-Lafayette rolled off six straight wins after being thrashed by Oklahoma State 61-34 in its opener. The Ragin’ Cajuns have returned seven interceptions for touchdowns, tied for second in college history behind this season’s Southern Mississippi squad (eight). Cornerback Bill Bentley and safety Jemarlous Moten each returned two of their three interceptions for scores. Bentley (shoulder) is expected to play. Alonzo Harris (638 yards, eight touchdowns) is the team’s top rusher, while Javone Lawson (54 receptions, 899 yards) and Harry Peoples (53-647) are Gautier’s top targets.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO STATE (8-4, 4-3 Mountain West): The Aztecs won their final two games and four of their last five games to muscle their way into a bowl game. San Diego State has been splendid in the second half of games, outscoring opponents 207-72. Three of their four losses were to Michigan, TCU and Boise State. Cornerback Larry Parker has been a turnover machine with seven interceptions and three forced fumbles and linebacker Miles Burris (19 tackles for loss) has eight of San Diego State’s 28 sacks. Hillman had an ankle injury late in the season but will be close to 100 percent for the bowl game.

PREDICTION: Louisiana-Lafayette 37, San Diego State 31 – The game means infinitely more to the Ragin’ Cajuns and the crowd support helps Louisiana-Lafayette to is first bowl win since the 1943 Oil Bowl.