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Gophers v. Louisiana: Week 5 Preview
By Tony LiebertGophers v. Louisiana: Week 5 Preview - GopherHole.com
–> Follow @Tony Liebert on Twitter Broadcast Info: Date: Sat., Sept. 30 TV channel: BTN Time of kickoff: 11:00 a.m. (CST) Betting line: Minnesota (-11.5) vs. Louisiana, o/u: (48.5 points) Opponent Information (Louisiana): 2023 record: 3-1 V. Northwestern State (FCS) 38-13 W @ Old Dominion 31-38...
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Broadcast Info:
- Date: Sat., Sept. 30
- TV channel: BTN
- Time of kickoff: 11:00 a.m. (CST)
- Betting line: Minnesota (-11.5) vs. Louisiana, o/u: (48.5 points)
Opponent Information (Louisiana):
- 2023 record: 3-1
- V. Northwestern State (FCS) 38-13 W
- @ Old Dominion 31-38 L
- @ UAB 41-21 W
- V. Buffalo 45-38 W
- 2022 record: 6-7
- Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl vs. Houston 16-23 L
- V. SE Louisiana (FCS) 24-7 W
- V. Eastern Michigan 49-21 W
- @ Rice 21-33 L
- @ Louisiana Monroe 17-21 L
- V. South Alabama 17-20 L
- @ Marshall 23-13 W
- V. Arkansas State 38-18 W
- @ Southern Miss 24-39 L
- V. Troy 17-23 L
- V. Minnesota 36-17 W
- @ Florida State 17-49 L
- @ Texas State 41-13 W
- Head Coach: Michael Desormeaux (2nd year)
- Players to watch: Zeon Chriss (QB), Jacob Kibodi (RB), Kendre’ Gant (LB), Caleb Anderson (CB), Nathan Thomas (OT)
Louisiana Season Storylines:
- Year 2 of the Michael Desormeaux-era
After winning the New Orleans Bowl in 2021 vs. Marshall, Desormeaux has led his alma mater to a 10-8 total record, and it looks like they have picked up right where they left off as one of the premier programs in the Sun Belt. They continue to recruit the state of Louisiana well and Desormeaux seems like he was more than the right hire.
- Three-QB system?
- 4th-best rushing offense in College Football:
Louisiana has run for 238 rushing yards per game this season, ranking fourth-best in FBS. While Zeon Chriss has been one of the better-rushing QBs in the sport, Jacob Kibodi has been a high-level RB, averaging 77.8 yards per game this season. The Ragin’ Cajuns were a dominant running team under Napier led by Elijah Mitchell and it seems like under Desormeaux it is much of the same. The Gophers rank as the 44th-best run defense in college football allowing 114.8 rushing yards per game, this will be a key matchup Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Gophers’ path to victory:
Saturday will be a very important game in P.J. Fleck’s career as the Gophers head coach. Two years ago he led the Gophers to a very impressive showing on the road at Purdue following the Bowling Green loss and there is no reason why he cannot do the same this Saturday. On a bigger scale, I think this game can be a serious inflection point in Fleck’s tenure with the program. Louisiana lost to Old Dominion on the road and they’ve allowed 38 points in two of their games, so they are to be had. If the Gophers go out and impose their will on this Louisiana team, could would be a major statement for this program.We all know how important it is for the Gophers to finally get Athan Kaliakmanis and this passing game going, but I think big plays will be the key to this game. For as much as it’s possible for Minnesota to win this game by 2+ touchdowns, it is also quite possible for Louisiana to stick around in a gross one. Big plays will be the differentiating factor in this game. If you look at recent blowout wins like MSU, Colorado, or Indiana one thing that sticks true is big plays.
Louisiana is a talented team that will likely play in a bowl game this season and it my opinion, I think they’re a better football team than Northwestern. I sure wish and hope that Minnesota can get back on track in this game, but unfortunately, they’ve shown me nothing this season to think that will happen. I still believe that Fleck and the Gophers will have enough to get the win, but I think it will be another gross 27-18 victory.