The vacation weekend schedule of school soccer bowl video games will get underway Friday afternoon with an intriguing matchup within the Independence Bowl, which pits Houston and Louisiana towards one another. Each of those applications have fallen off a bit this season after ending among the many prime Group of 5 groups a yr in the past, however a bowl recreation provides the possibility for them to enter the offseason with momentum.
Houston’s 7-5 document beneath fourth-year coach Dana Holgorsen is an underwhelming mark after final yr’s squad completed 12-2, however the Cougars have accomplished effectively to bounce again from a 2-3 begin with wins in 5 of their final seven video games. With redshirt senior quarterback Clayton Tune main the best way, the Cougars’ offense stays a potent drive.
Louisiana has received three straight bowl video games and might match this system’s stretch of 4 straight bowl wins from 2011 to 2014 with a victory. First-year coach Michael Desormeaux confronted the unenviable job of changing Billy Napier, who left for Florida after 4 seasons on the helm of the Ragin’ Cajuns. However after six seasons on employees at Louisiana, he managed to regular the ship and get his alma mater again to a bowl.
The right way to watch Independence Bowl stay
Date: Friday, Dec. 23 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Independence Stadium — Shreveport, Louisiana
TV: ESPN | Reside stream: fuboTV (Strive without cost)
Houston vs. Louisiana: Have to know
Tune up: Tune has a couple of data in sight as he prepares for his closing faculty recreation. The veteran quarterback is already the AAC’s profession chief in landing passes with 101, however can move Tanner Mordecai’s document for many landing passes in a season with 39 if he throws two touchdowns towards Louisiana. Tune additionally wants only one landing — speeding or passing — to set the league’s new scoring document because the Cougars put together to depart for the Large 12 subsequent season.
Turnovers are key: Louisiana is tied for eleventh nationally with 15 interceptions and tied for twenty first nationally in turnover margin. The Ragin’ Cajuns have compelled 23 turnovers, which bodes effectively towards a Houston group that ranks tied for 118th in turnover margin. The Cougars have dedicated 19 turnovers this season and compelled simply 11. An absence of turnovers have been simply one of many points with a UH protection that’s a hundred and tenth in complete protection and tied for 117th in scoring protection.
Sequence historical past: This marks the first-ever look within the Independence Bowl for each groups, but it surely’s not their first time enjoying one another. Houston and Louisiana have met 9 instances beforehand, with the Cougars holding a 6-3 edge within the collection. However the Ragin’ Cajuns received the final assembly again in 2006 by a rating of 31-28.
Independence Bowl prediction, picks
Featured Sport | Houston Cougars vs. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Bowl video games typically come all the way down to motivation, and Louisiana needs to be the extra motivated group on this case. The Ragin’ Cajuns are enjoying of their dwelling state and making an attempt to match a program document by profitable their fourth straight bowl recreation beneath first-year coach Michael Desormeaux. Houston’s offense is an aerial drive led by Clayton Tune, however the Cougars’ protection is an issue after permitting 37 factors to Tulsa whereas closing the common season in a loss. Search for Louisiana to maintain this one shut and doubtlessly win outright. Prediction: Louisiana +7
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