The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide are ready to face off on the grass at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Fans can catch the action live on SEC Network and kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Louisiana is the noticeable underdog here and is currently getting 49 points from bookmakers. The over/under for this game hasn’t yet been released. If one side can create a bunch of points early on, it would likely create a solid live betting opportunity.
The game’s line opened at -51, but has recently shifted.
The Ragin’ Cajuns are down 0.6 units so far in 2018 and 1-2 against the spread (ATS). The team’s recorded an Over-Under mark of 1-1.
The Crimson Tide have gained 0.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-1 ATS and own an O/U record of 3-1.
The Ragin’ Cajuns have gone 1-2 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Crimson Tide are 4-0 SU.
The Ragin’ Cajuns lost to Coastal Carolina 30-28 in a nailbiter where their defense allowed the Chanticleers to control the clock by rushing for 311 yards on 56 attempts, including two rush TDs. On the offensive side, Andre Nunez completed only seven passes on 14 attempts for 133 yards and one touchdown. Trey Ragas (103 yards on 15 rush attempts, one TD) and Raymond Calais (108 yards on five carries, one TD) led the ground attack while Keenan Barnes (four receptions, 46 yards, one TD) and Ryheem Malone (two catches, seven yards) manned the receiving duties in the defeat.
Alabama just earned a 45-23 win over Texas A&M. Tua Tagovailoa completed 22-of-30 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns. Najee Harris (43 rushing yards on eight attempts) and Damien Harris (52 yards on seven carries) handled the running game as Jerry Jeudy (six receptions, 78 yards) and Irv Smith Jr. (four catches, 74 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Louisiana has run the ball on 54.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Alabama has an overall rush percentage of 57.7 percent. The Ragin’ Cajuns have produced 206.0 rush yards per game and have six touchdowns on the ground this year. The Tide are logging 204.8 rush yards per game and have nine total rushing TDs.
The Ragin’ Cajuns offensive scheme has tallied 209.7 yards per game through the air overall and has six passing scores so far. The Tide have put up 334.8 pass yards per outing and have 16 total pass TDs.
Louisiana has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 263.0 yards and pass for 207.0 yards per game. The Alabama D has allowed 216.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 108.5 yards per game on the ground. The Tide are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 3.38 to opposing QBs, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have given up a 7.96 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Nunez is up to 317 yards on the year. He’s completed 72 percent of his 36 attempts with three scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. Nunez’s got an 8.65 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 6.87 over the last two outings.
The Ragin’ Cajuns will probably try to maintain tempo by feeding their running backs early and often. Along with Keenan Barnes (67 yards, one TD), Trey Ragas (245 rush yards, two rush TDs, 17 receiving yards) and Raymond Calais (177 rush yards, two rush TDs) have delivered in the Louisiana offensive scheme.
Tua Tagovailoa has managed to complete 47-of-65 passes for 842 yards, 10 TDs and zero INTs for Alabama. His ANY/A stands at 15.36 for the year and 15.51 across his last two games.
The Tide should also look to control the clock by turning to their backfield. In addition to Jerry Jeudy (229 receiving yards, four receiving TDs), Damien Harris (168 rush yards, 76 receiving yards) and Irv Smith Jr. (zero rush yards, 154 receiving yards, one TD) have gotten a lot of looks lately.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns at Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Pick
SU Winner: Alabama, ATS Winner: Louisiana
Betting Trends
- As a team, Louisiana has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over its last two outings.
- Alabama has averaged 4.4 YPC over its last two.
- Alabama has lost three fumbles this season while Louisiana has yet to lose any.
- The Ragin’ Cajuns offense has tallied two pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Crimson Tide have put up seven such plays.
- Both teams have allowed two pass plays of 40 yards or more. The Louisiana defense has given up four pass plays of 30+ yards while Alabama has permitted three such plays.
- The Louisiana offense has created eight rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Alabama has created five such runs.
- The Ragin’ Cajuns defense has allowed seven rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Crimson Tide have given up five such runs.
- The Alabama defense has tallied twice the sack total of Louisiana this season (16 to eight).
