Houston will join the Big 12 last season, and for a program that faced Auburn in a bowl game last year, you might believe they will be less motivated, but that's not what I expect.

Louisiana is from the smaller conference, but for their experienced players, this season was a significant drop-off from 2021 as well. The Ragin Cajuns also have two of their top playmakers out, whereas Houston receiver Nathaniel Dell made a statement that this game matters by electing to suit up one more time, despite his plans to leave after this game for the NFL.

Houston was only held below 30 points once this season, and Louisiana was held to less than 22 points five times. Houston's passing defense may have struggled this season, but Louisiana will enter this game without a single pass catcher with more than 278 receiving yards on the season. The combination of quarterback Tune and Dell will be too explosive for the Ragin' Cajuns to keep up with. Lay the points with Houston.