The Independence Bowl is somewhat of a home game for UL-Lafayette, being played a few hours north of their campus in Shreveport. The 6-6 Ragin Cajuns are close to home and making their fifth straight bowl appearance, but the offshore sportsbooks still have them as TD underdogs against the Houston Cougars (7-5), who have one of the nation’s most potent passing attacks.
Before Betting on the Independence Bowl
Friday marks the swan song as a member of the Houston football program for QB Clayton Tune who has exhausted his eligibility. Tune’s contributions to the school will not be forgotten, as he’s had back-to-back 3,200+ yard passing seasons with 65 TDs to 19 INTs over that span.
Tune gets one last chance to chuck the ball all over the field, and the good news is that he’ll have his favorite receiver to throw to. Nathaniel Dell has declared for the NFL draft, but in a somewhat rare move he’s going to play in the bowl game. Dell caught 103 balls in 2022, has posted consecutive 1,100+ yard receiving seasons, and has found the end zone 27 times the last two years.
UL-Lafayette has their work cut out for them on Friday despite having a strength of schedule that barely cracked the top 100 in the nation (93rd). The Ragin’ Cajuns squared off with a Power 5 team in week 12 and it wasn’t pretty, losing 49-17 to Florida State.
Houston vs UL-Lafayette NCAAF Offshore Betting Odds
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | Houston (1.37) | ULL (3.27) | 56.5 | Houston -7 (1.88) | ULL +7 (1.98) |
| Bovada | Houston (1.37) | ULL (3.20) | 56.5 | Houston -7 (1.91) | ULL +7 (1.91) |
| BetUS | Houston (1.37) | ULL (3.20) | 56.5 | Houston -7 (1.87) | ULL +7 (1.95) |
| SportsBetting.ag | Houston (1.37) | ULL (3.27) | 56.5 | Houston -7 (1.88) | ULL +7 (1.98) |
| Pinnacle | Houston (1.38) | ULL (3.23) | 56.5 | Houston -7 (1.93) | ULL +7 (1.96) |
| MyBookie | Houston (1.35) | ULL (3.22) | 56.5 | Houston -7 (1.91) | ULL +7 (1.91) |
Independence Bowl Prediction & Pick
Unlike Dell, ULL’s top receiver Michael Jefferson is opting out of playing this game to prepare for the NFL draft as is DE Andre Jones. It was already going to be hard to keep up with and contain the Houston offense to begin with, but especially without your best WR and defensive lineman. Cougars big here.
Pick: Houston -7
