One four-game winning streak will conclude as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are squaring off against the Appalachian State Mountaineers. ESPN2 is scheduled to have the TV rights and kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Appalachian State Mountaineers vs. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Appalachian State is the road underdog in this SBC matchup and is currently getting 2 points. The Mountaineers are also receiving +100 moneyline odds while the Ragin’ Cajuns are -120. This SBC matchup should provide several decent live betting scenarios, and Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 68.5 points.
The game’s total has shifted lower after originally being set at 69.5. The opening line (-2) has remained consistent.
Both of these teams have been profitable this year as the Mountaineers have gained 2.2 units while the Ragin’ Cajuns are up 2.4 units.
The Mountaineers have gone 4-0 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against conference opponents. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 4-1 SU overall and 1-0 SU in conference play.
Each team enters this contest on a four-game winning streak. The Mountaineers are hoping to remain undefeated following a 56-37 win over Coastal Carolina on September 28 where Zac Thomas completed 19 passes on 23 attempts for 246 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Darrynton Evans (60 rushing yards on 15 attempts, two TDs) and Daetrich Harrington (71 yards on 11 carries, one TD) provided the ground attack while Malik Williams (six receptions, 75 yards) and Thomas Hennigan (five catches, 89 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Louisiana is coming off of a 37-24 win over Georgia Southern two weeks ago. The team’s defensive unit allowed the Eagles to run for 215 yards on 56 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. Shai Werts was a bright spot in the defeat for Georgia Southern, recording 93 rushing yards on 21 attempts. For Louisiana, Levi Lewis completed 11-of-18 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown. Trey Ragas (131 rushing yards on 16 attempts, two TDs) and Elijah Mitchell (81 yards on 14 carries, two TDs) handled the running game while Jamal Bell (three receptions, 35 yards) and Ja’Marcus Bradley (two catches, 22 yards, one TD) led the receiving corps in the win.
Each team has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Appalachian State’s run the ball on 61.3 percent of its offensive possessions while Louisiana has a rush percentage of 60.1. The Mountaineers have produced 224.5 rush yards per game and have 14 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Ragin’ Cajuns are averaging 314 rush yards per game and have 22 total rushing TDs.
The Mountaineers offensive scheme has logged 204.8 yards/contest through the air overall and has eight passing scores so far. The Ragin’ Cajuns have put up 226 pass yards per game and have nine total pass TDs.
Defensively, Appalachian State has allowed 165 rush yards and 255 pass yards per game. The Louisiana defense has given up 186.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 158.6 yards per game on the ground. The Ragin’ Cajuns are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.44 to opposing QBs, while the Mountaineers have allowed a 6.85 ANY/A.
Offensively, Thomas has put up 578 passing yards this season, and has connected on 73 percent of his 67 attempts with seven passing scores and only one interception. He has a 9.10 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 7.29 over the past two outings.
Thomas Hennigan (185 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns this season), Malik Williams (154 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Darrynton Evans (393 rush yards, six rush TDs) have all played key roles lately.
On the other sideline, Levi Lewis has completed 60-of-93 passes for 792 yards, six TDs and two INTs. Lewis’ ANY/A sits at 8.35 for the season and 8.08 across his last two games.
We’re expecting the Ragin’ Cajuns to control the game’s clock by putting the ball in the hands of their running backs. Ja’Marcus Bradley (277 receiving yards, three TDs this season) has stepped up lately, but Trey Ragas (419 rush yards, five rush TDs, one receiving TD) and Elijah Mitchell (259 rush yards, six rush TDs) have been key factors in the Louisiana offense.
Appalachian State Mountaineers at Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Bedding Prediction
SU Winner: Louisiana, ATS Winner: Louisiana, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- Louisiana has lost seven fumbles this season while Appalachian State has yet to lose any.
- Each team defense has recorded 11 sacks this season.
- Appalachian State has averaged 5.4 yards per rush attempt across its past three contests and 4.6 over its last two.
- Louisiana has averaged 7.7 yards per carry over its last three games and 6.4 over its last two.
- In its last three matches, Louisiana is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Appalachian State’s previous game going into it was 59. The over cashed in the team’s 56-37 victory over Coastal Carolina.
- Over its last three matchups, Appalachian State is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Louisiana’s previous matchup going into it was 56. The over cashed in the 37-24 victory over Georgia Southern.
