The Ragin’ Cajuns (-10) are gearing up to host the New Mexico State Aggies in Louisiana. ESPN+ has the TV rights and the game is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. New Mexico State Aggies
The Aggies approach this Saturday matchup as a noticeable dog here and they’re currently getting 10 points. If they want to take the moneyline, gamblers would currently need to lay down $400 in order to win $100 back on the Ragin’ Cajuns (-400). The Aggies are getting +300 moneyline odds. Some good in-game betting opportunities might exist during the match.
The public has been hammering the Ragin’ Cajuns. This game’s line opened at -8.
The Aggies have gained 0.3 units so far in 2018 and are 2-4 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U mark of 4-2.
The Ragin’ Cajuns have gained 0.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-2 ATS and three of their games have gone over the total.
The Aggies have gone 2-4 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Ragin’ Cajuns are 2-3 SU.
The Aggies are coming off a 49-41 win over Liberty last week. The Aggies defense allowed the Flames to pass for 365 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 159 yards and four scores. On the offensive side of the ball, Josh Adkins completed 34-of-51 passes for 402 yards and four touchdowns. Christian Gibson (127 yards on 13 rush attempts, two TDs) led the running attack. OJ Clark (10 receptions, 145 yards, one TD) and Izaiah Lottie (five catches, 67 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Louisiana enter this one following a 42-27 win over Texas State. As a group, the team collectively completed 14-of-23 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Andre Nunez went nine-for-18 for 149 yards, one touchdown and one interception while Levi Lewis was five-of-five for 81 yards and one touchdown. Trey Ragas (100 yards on 21 rush attempts, one TD) and Elijah Mitchell (191 yards on 20 carries, three TDs) mounted the running game while Ryheem Malone (four receptions, 23 yards, one TD) and Ja’Marcus Bradley (four catches, 85 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack in the win.
New Mexico State has run the ball on 42.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Louisiana has a rush percentage of 59.9 percent. The Aggies have produced 97.2 rush yards/game and have four scores on the ground this year. The Ragin’ Cajuns are totaling 229.0 rush yards per game and have 11 total rushing TDs.
The Aggies offense has logged 225.8 yards/game in the air overall and has nine passing TDs so far. The Ragin’ Cajuns have produced 189.4 pass yards per contest and also have nine total pass scores.
Defensively, New Mexico State appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 243.2 yards and pass for 203.7 yards per game. The Louisiana defense has allowed 252.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 236.2 yards per game on the ground. The Aggies are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.25 to opponents, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have given up an ugly 10.17 ANY/A.
Offensively, Adkins has put up 580 passing yards this season. He’s connected on 64 percent of his 75 attempts with five scores through the air and two interceptions. He has a 7.32 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 8.83 over the past two games.
The Aggies will likely try to control tempo by pounding the defense with their running backs. Along with OJ Clark (211 yards, one TD), Christian Gibson (194 rush yards, two rush TDs) and Royce Caldwell (86 rush yards, nine receiving yards) have brought significant production to the offensive game scripts for New Mexico State.
In the home locker room, Andre Nunez has managed to complete 56-of-83 passes for 690 yards, five TDs and two INTs. Nunez’s ANY/A stands at 7.38 for the year and 3.20 across his past two games.
The Ragin’ Cajuns also like to rely on their backfield. Ja’Marcus Bradley (210 receiving yards, four TDs) has gotten involved lately, but Elijah Mitchell (268 rush yards, four rush TDs, 58 receiving yards) and Trey Ragas (394 rush yards, three rush TDs) have seen a lot of touches recently.
When these two squads met last year, Louisiana emerged victorious by a score of 47-34.
New Mexico State Aggies at Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns NCAA Pick
SU Winner: Louisiana, ATS Winner: Louisiana
Team Betting Trends
- The Louisiana offense has lost zero fumbles this season while New Mexico State has lost three.
- The New Mexico State defensive unit has 19 sacks on the year while Louisiana has just 11.
- As a team, New Mexico State has produced 4.58762886597938 yards per carry across its last three contests and 5.3 over its last two.
- Louisiana has averaged 6.5 yards per carry over its last three outings and 6.1 over its past two.
- In its last three games, Louisiana is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- New Mexico State was getting 3 points in its previous game and the Over/Under was 65. The over cashed and New Mexico State covered in the 49-41 victory over Liberty.
- Over its last three games, New Mexico State is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Louisiana was getting 3 points in its last matchup and the Over/Under going into it was 57.5. The over cashed and Louisiana covered in the 42-27 win over Texas State.
