Vegas College Football Bowl Predictions Part I (Pre-Christmas): Utah-Colorado State & More

Nov 29, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack flags are sprinted across the end zone after a Nevada touchdown scored against UNLV during a game at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl- New Orleans, La.

Nevada Wolf Pack vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns

Line: Nevada by 1

Saturday Blitz Vegas Bowl Prediction: Louisiana-Lafayette Wins 31-30

In many ways, these teams are identical. The Wolf Pack and Ragin’ Cajuns are both teams centered around mobile quarterbacks who also utilize other running backs to create a dominant rushing attack with a decent passing game.

Nevada actually has more balance than Louisiana-Lafayette and has played in a tougher conference. But we’re going with the Ragin’ Cajuns. These guys are playing too close to home, and even with Nevada appearing to have a very solid fan base for a mid-major program, it doesn’t appear likely that Wolf Pack fans would outnumber Ragin’ Cajuns fans in the Superdome in New Orleans.

The home field advantage against a team so similar but slightly better is enough for us to reverse what our prediction would be on a neutral field and go with Louisiana-Lafayette in an upset. Cody Fajardo will have some nice plays for the Wolf Pack, but Terrance Broadway will show up just a little bit more and have a good bit more help. That will be enough for Louisiana-Lafayette to get an exciting bowl win and move to 9-4 while Nevada finishes the year 7-6.

Next: New Mexico Bowl Prediction: Utah State vs. UTEP