CFB Preview: Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia Bulldogs

The Ragin’ Cajuns (4-5, 3-3 SBC) travel to Athens to play the Georgia Bulldogs (6-4, 4-4 SEC) this Saturday for just the second time in school history.

The Bulldogs are coming off an impressive 13-7 upset over No. 8 Auburn Tigers, even limiting the Tigers to just 32 yards and no first downs in the second half. Despite the win, Georgia’s offense failed to reach the end zone, and their only touchdown on the day was scored by their defense.

Louisiana-Lafayette travels to Georgia for the second straight week after defeating Georgia Southern last Saturday, 33-26. Quarterback Anthony Jennings passed for 210 yards and led the rushing attack with 96 yards and a touchdown.

The Stats

Statistically speaking, the two teams are a very close match up when you compare their 2016 season averages.

• Scoring Offense: UGA-22.6 ppg / LA-23.4 ppg
• Scoring Defense: UGA-24.0 ppg / LA-27.1 ppg
• Rushing Offense: UGA-174.0 ypg / LA-178.1 ypg
• Passing Offense: UGA-204.7 ypg / LA-199.0 ypg
• Rushing Defense: UGA-119.1 ypg / LA-118.3 ypg
• Passing Defense: UGA-189.0 ypg / LA-257.1 ypg

But despite the stats coming into the game, the performance of the players will be the deciding factor.

The Players

Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason has impressed in his rookie season, completing 165 of 303 passes for 1962 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also has a rushing touchdown on the season. He should perform well against the LA passing defense that allows an average of 257.1 yards per game.

The backfield has taken a running back by committee approach with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Chubb missed some time due to injury, but he’s rushed for 792 yards and five touchdowns, and has a 4.7 yards per carry average on the season.

Michel has done well with an increased role, rushing for 542 yards and two touchdowns, and averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

Cajun Attack

Anthony Jennings, the Ragin’ Cajun’s quarterback, is a graduate transfer from LSU. This season, he’s completed 155 of 249 for 1643 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s also added four touchdowns on the ground.

LA’s leading rusher, Elijah McGuire, has rushed for 762 yards and seven total touchdowns so far, while leading receivers Al Riles and Keenan Barnes have combined for seven touchdowns. Riles has 44 receptions for 513 yards and one touchdown, and Barnes has 26 receptions for 330 yards and six touchdowns.

Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart understands the challenge that Louisiana-Lafayette poses, and discussed the skill that the Sun Belt Conference has and the SEC caliber players that play for the Cajuns.

Kick-off for the game is set for noon.