Louisiana-Lafayette vs Kennesaw State Picks and Prediction – 9/7/2024

Louisiana enters this matchup with a 1-0 record after a commanding 40-10 victory over Grambling State. The Ragin' Cajuns looked sharp in the season opener, showcasing a balanced offense led by quarterback Ben Wooldridge, who threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns. On the other side, Kennesaw State is coming off a 28-16 loss to UTSA, where they struggled to find rhythm on offense and were unable to stop UTSA's key plays when it mattered. This game presents an opportunity for Louisiana to build on a strong start, while Kennesaw State will be desperate to bounce back from an early setback. Dominate the college scene with our College Football picks.

Louisiana's offense is firing on all cylinders after Week 1. Ben Wooldridge demonstrated his ability to lead the team through the air, completing 25 of 33 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns, with just one interception. He found reliable targets in Harvey Broussard, who led the receiving corps with four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. The ground game, while still in development, showed promise with Zylan Perry leading the charge, contributing 45 yards on five carries. 

Defensively, the Ragin' Cajuns were impressive, allowing just 10 points and effectively shutting down Grambling State's offensive efforts. Louisiana’s defense, particularly the ability to control the line of scrimmage and pressure the quarterback, will be key as they look to dominate Kennesaw State. With a solid all-around performance in the opener, the Ragin' Cajuns are poised to continue strong play.

Kennesaw State, however, struggled to get anything going in the opener against UTSA. Quarterback Davis Bryson managed to throw for 202 yards and a touchdown, but the offense lacked consistency, particularly in the running game, where Qua Ashley led with only 26 yards on 10 carries. The Owls' receiving game showed some potential, with Ashley also leading in receiving yards with a single catch for 51 yards, but overall, the offense sputtered. 

Defensively, Kennesaw State had moments of strong play but ultimately couldn’t contain UTSA's offense, particularly in critical situations. The Owls' defense will need to tighten up, especially against a Louisiana team that can attack both through the air and on the ground. Kennesaw State's ability to make adjustments and find more balance on offense will be crucial if they hope to stay competitive in this matchup.

Louisiana’s balanced offensive attack and solid defensive play make them the clear favorites in this matchup. Kennesaw State’s struggles on both sides of the ball in the opener suggest they might not have enough to keep up with the Ragin' Cajuns, who appear to be a more complete team at this point. Louisiana should be able to control the game with a superior passing attack and defensive pressure. Final Score Prediction: Louisiana wins 38-17.