This is a big Sun Belt Conference battle, and I’m taking the home team that's looking to stay atop the West Division. Cajun Field is going to provide much more of an advantage than the spread indicates. Louisiana went 10-1 last season and returned most of the regulars on both sides of the ball. One of those wins was a 24-21 triumph at Appalachian State, which was a three-point favorite. Both teams are 4-1, but the wrong one is favored. I took the points with Ragin' Cajuns.

Rather interesting this number has climbed to App State -5 in what could be a Sun Belt title game preview. Louisiana is 15-3 at home under Coach Billy Napier and also won at the Mountaineers last season. UL is 32-5 when scoring 20 or more points under Napier, and I don't see App State holding the Cajuns under that number. While I understand why the Mountaineers are favored, Louisiana certainly could win and should stay within four at home.

The first Tuesday college football game of the season takes place between Appalachian State and Louisiana from the Sun Belt. The Ragin' Cajuns are 1-4 ATS this season, including close wins against poor opponents in Nicholls and South Alabama. Last season, UL QB Levi Lewis had his worst performance of the year with just 101 yards passing against Appalachian State -- although Louisiana won close. Take the Mountaineers to win the turnover battle and impress on the road.

This game will be won at the point of attack, as both teams are excellent rushing the ball while doing a strong job defending the run. If all things are equal there, it'll put the focus on the QBs - Appalachian State's Chase Brice and Louisiana's Levi Lewis - and who can play above the Xs & Os in order to make game-changing plays. Oddsmakers got this one right with the razor-thin point spread, but I'll lean on Lewis, the guy who wears No. 1 for the Ragin' Cajuns and is the "plus-1" in the running game.