In a battle featuring two teams that like to run the football, Head Coach Matt Viator and the Louisiana-monroe Warhawks (+22) are set to pay a visit to their conference counterpart Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns at Cajun Field. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET and ESPNU is in line to televise the action.
Betting Preview: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
Louisiana-Monroe is a big road underdog here and is currently receiving 22 points by bookmakers. If the Warhawks seize control in the early stages it’ll result in a worthy live betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 67 points.
The opening line was -21 while the total has yet to change after it was initially posted at 67.
The Warhawks are 3-8 against the spread (ATS) and are down 1.0 unit so far. The team’s posted an Over-Under record of 6-4-1.
The surprising Ragin’ Cajuns have gained 4.0 units this season. The team is 9-2 ATS and has an O/U record of 5-6.
The Warhawks have gone 5-6 straight up (SU), including 4-3 SU against SBC opponents. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 9-2 SU overall and 6-1 SU in conference play.
The Warhawks are coming off a 45-42 victory over Coastal Carolina last week. Caleb Evans completed 19-of-33 passes for 346 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Josh Johnson (129 yards on 19 rush attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Evans (69 yards on nine carries, one TD) led the ground attack. Zach Jackson (four receptions, 72 yards, one TD) and Jonathan Hodoh (four catches, 47 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns just earned a 53-3 win over Troy. The defensive unit allowed the Trojans to rush for 156 yards on 35 attempts. DK Billingsley had a productive outing in the loss, posting 68 rushing yards on 10 attempts for Troy. As a group, the Ragin’ Cajuns collectively completed 28-of-40 passes for 344 yards and one touchdown. Levi Lewis went 21-for-33 for 273 yards and one touchdown while Jaiave Magalei was six-of-six for 71 yards. Trey Ragas (79 rushing yards on 11 attempts, two TDs) and Raymond Calais (61 yards on seven carries, one TD) spearheaded the running game while Ja’Marcus Bradley (five receptions, 96 yards, one TD) and Jarrod Jackson (four catches, 51 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Louisiana-Monroe has run the ball on 52.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Louisiana has a rush percentage of 59.2 percent. The Warhawks have produced 204.5 rush yards per game (including 184.4 per game against Sun Belt opponents) and have 27 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Ragin’ Cajuns are putting up 276.2 rush yards per game (249 in conference) and have 39 total rushing TDs.
If 2019 results can translate to this game, then it seems like the Ragin’ Cajuns could hold an edge when it comes to RB efficiency. Their running backs has generated 6.6 yards per carry while their defense has allowed 4.4 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Warhawks have registered 5.4 yards per carry while allowing 5.7 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Warhawks offensive scheme has logged 246.5 yards/contest through the air overall (250 per game versus conference opposition) and has 19 passing TDs so far. The Ragin’ Cajuns have produced 222.2 pass yards per contest (211 against SBC competition) and have 18 total pass scores.
Defensively, Louisiana-Monroe has let opponents run for an average of 251.9 yards and pass for 227.3 yards per game. The Louisiana defense has allowed 185.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 166.2 yards per game on the ground. The Ragin’ Cajuns are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.62 to opponents, while the Warhawks have allowed a 7.27 ANY/A.
Offensively, Evans is up to 2,324 passing yards this year, and has connected on 62 percent of his 316 attempts with 17 scores through the air and seven interceptions. Evans has a 6.90 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.74 over the last two outings.
Levi Lewis has managed to complete 169-of-254 passes for 2,044 yards, 15 TDs and three INTs for Louisiana. His ANY/A stands at 8.06 for the year and 7.05 across his past two games.
These two squads met last year with the final outcome being a 31-28 victory for Louisiana.
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Free Prediction
SU Winner: Louisiana, ATS Winner: Louisiana-Monroe, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The O/U for Louisiana-Monroe’s last game was set at 63.5. The over cashed in the team’s 45-42 victory over Coastal Carolina.
- Louisiana-Monroe, as a team, has averaged 5.3 yards per rush attempt over its past three outings and 4.5 over its last two.
- Louisiana has averaged 6.2 yards per carry over its last three games and 6.2 over its last two.
- The Louisiana offense has lost eight fumbles this season while Louisiana-Monroe has let six get away.
- Over its last three matchups, Louisiana-Monroe is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Louisiana’s last game going into it was 74. The under cashed in the 53-3 triumph over Troy.
- In its last three contests, Louisiana is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Louisiana has won 10 of its last 11 games SU, with a -10-point loss to Appalachian State on October 9th representing its only defeat over that stretch.
- The Warhawks offense has produced six pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have accounted for three such plays.
- The Louisiana-Monroe defense has allowed 12 pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Louisiana has given up six such plays.
- The Louisiana-Monroe offense has created 22 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Louisiana has created 32 such runs.
- The Warhawks defense has allowed 24 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have given up 12 such runs.
- The Louisiana defense has tallied 24 sacks on the year while Louisiana-Monroe has just 18.
