Arkansas State Red Wolves at Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns – 10/27/2018 Betting Preview

The Arkansas State Red Wolves (-3.5) and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are set to square off on the turf at Cajun Field. ESPN+ has the TV rights and the game is scheduled to get going at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Betting Preview: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves

Louisiana is the home underdog in this SBC game and is currently receiving 3.5 points. The Red Wolves are also receiving -175 moneyline odds while the Ragin’ Cajuns are +155. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 65.5 points, and if one squad can catch a lucky break in the early stages, it’ll likely create a worthy in-game betting scenario.

The game’s total has swung upward after opening at 65. The original line of 3.5 has not shifted.

The Red Wolves have gained 0.5 units so far in 2018 and are 2-5 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 2-4.

The Ragin’ Cajuns are up 1.4 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 5-2 ATS and the over’s hit in four of their games.

The Red Wolves are 4-3 straight up (SU), including 1-2 SU against SBC opponents. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 3-4 SU overall and 1-2 SU in conference play.

The Red Wolves are coming off a resounding 51-35 victory over Georgia State last week where Justice Hansen completed 17 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns. Warren Wand (71 yards on 13 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Hansen (76 yards on 11 carries, two TDs) mounted the ground attack in the win. Justin McInnis (six receptions, 86 yards, one TD) and Kirk Merritt (four catches, 21 yards) shared the receiving duties.

Louisiana just lost a 27-17 game to Appalachian State. The defense let the Mountaineers eat up the clock by running for 258 yards on 47 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. Darrynton Evans was a force to be reckoned with, putting up 183 rushing yards and a score on 26 attempts for Appalachian State. For Louisiana, Andre Nunez completed 14-of-23 passes for 108 yards. Trey Ragas (81 rushing yards on 18 attempts, one TD) and Elijah Mitchell (37 yards on 10 carries) handled the ground game in the defeat as Ryheem Malone (three receptions, 47 yards) and Matt Barnes (three catches, 24 yards) led the receiving corps.

Arkansas State has run the ball on 49.1 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 47.0 percent across possessions in conference play. Louisiana has an overall rush percentage of 61.1 percent, and has kept it on the ground 64.0 percent of the time when facing SBC opponents. The Red Wolves have produced 181.0 rush yards per game (including 169.0 per game against Sun Belt opponents) and have seven scores via handoffs this year. The Ragin’ Cajuns are totaling 232.7 rushing yards per game (235.0 in conference) and have 15 total rush TDs.

The Red Wolves offense has averaged 279.6 yards in the air overall (284.0 per game against conference opposition) and has 15 passing TDs so far. The Ragin’ Cajuns have recorded 221.4 pass yards per game (187 against SBC foes) and have 16 total pass scores.

Arkansas State should hold an edge when it comes to limiting the pass. The team’s allowed opponents to run for an average of 227.3 yards and pass for 169.0 yards per game. The Louisiana defense has allowed 236.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 223.0 yards per game on the ground. The Red Wolves are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 6.44 to opponents, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have given up an 8.31 ANY/A.

Nunez has connected on 79-of-121 passes for 873 yards, six TDs and four INTs. Nunez’s adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 5.76 for the year and 9.96 across his last two outings. In the other locker room, Hansen has put up 1,586 passing yards this season. He’s completed 135-of-210 attempts with 14 passing touchdowns and only two interceptions. Hansen’s got a 7.48 ANY/A for the year, though that number sits at 5.15 over the past two outings.

These two schools faced off last year with the final result being a 47-3 win for Arkansas State.

Arkansas State Red Wolves at Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Bedding Prediction

SU Winner: Louisiana, ATS Winner: Louisiana, O/U: Under

Team Betting Trends,

The O/U for Arkansas State’s last game was 57. The over cashed in the team’s 51-35 triumph over Georgia State.

Arkansas State, as a team, has averaged 4.6 yards per carry across its past three games and 5.3 over its last two.

Louisiana has averaged 5.6 yards per carry over its last three outings and 5.0 over its last two.

The Louisiana offense has lost two fumbles this season while Arkansas State has let four get away.

Over its last three matchups, Arkansas State is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.

The Over/Under for Louisiana’s previous game was 64.5. The under cashed in that 27-17 loss to Appalachian State.

In its last three matchups, Louisiana is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.

The Red Wolves offense has recorded one pass play of 40 or more yards, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have put up four such plays.

The Arkansas State defense has allowed nine pass plays of 40+ yards, while Louisiana has given up five such plays.

The Arkansas State offense has created 10 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Louisiana has created 16 such runs.

The Red Wolves defense has allowed 15 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have given up 12 such runs.

The Arkansas State defensive unit has 18 sacks on the year while Louisiana has 15.