The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and the Arkansas State Red Wolves meet Thursday in college football action from Centennial Bank Stadium. Here’s an Arkansas State vs Louisiana prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Arkansas State vs Louisiana pick.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Betting Preview
The Cajuns opened up their season with a 1-3 run, taking a lone win over McNeese State with losses otherwise versus Rice, Missouri and Eastern Michigan in that stretch. Louisiana would then beat Marshall in overtime before losses to James Madison, Southern Miss and Troy. The next outing was a win over South Alabama though, as Louisiana scored 24 points in the first half on the way to a 31-22 result. The Cajuns posted 393 total yards in that one with 23 first downs and 7-of-13 on third-down conversion attempts during the victory effort.
In their most recent outing on November 8 versus Texas State, the Cajuns took another win but it was a close one. Louisiana posted 28 points in the second quarter but had to hang on after a 19-7 deficit in the fourth in a 42-39 finish. Lunch Winfield finished 17-of-27 for 192 yards, three scores and two picks while also rushing in a pair of scores. Bill Davis added 87 yards and a TD on 18 carries, and Shelton Sampson had 80 yards and two touchdowns off five catches for the Cajuns. Caden Jensen chipped in 28 yards and a score off three grabs as well.
Arkansas State Red Wolves Betting Preview
Over on the Red Wolves’ side, they beat Southeast Missouri State in their opener then fell to Arkansas, Iowa State, Kennesaw State and LA-Monroe in the next four. Arkansas State would then get it going with wins over Texas State, South Alabama, Georgia Southern and Troy in the next four. In the win over the Trojans, the Red Wolves scored 17 points in the first quarter on the way to a 23-10 finish. Arkansas State had a couple of lost fumbles and went just 4-of-13 on third downs but the defense held strong with a couple of takeaways and 187 yards allowed.
In their last outing back on November 8 versus Southern Miss, Arkansas State was down 17-7 by halftime. The Red Wolves scored a couple of times in the fourth quarter but eventually lost 27-21 in the end. Jaylen Raynor threw for 331 yards, two TDs and four picks in the defeat while lead rusher Devin Spencer had 11 carries for 47 yards. Corey Rucker caught seven balls for 123 yards in the losing effort for the Red Wolves as well.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns @ Arkansas State Red Wolves Betting Trends: Week 13
Arkansas State Red Wolves Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 13, Chauncy Cobb has the most targets without a receiving touchdown this season (80).
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 13, Shelton Sampson Jr. ranks 20th amongst qualified players for Yards Per Reception (18.4) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Arkansas State ranks T134th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (10.3).
- Arkansas State ranks T129th among FBS teams for Q3 points per game this season (3.0).
- Louisiana ranks 131st among FBS teams for Q3 points per game this season (2.9).
- Louisiana ranks T131st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (11.4).
Arkansas State vs Louisiana Prediction
I’ll lean toward the Red Wolves. You could make a case either way though; we should have a pretty good matchup here if both teams play to their capabilities. That said, Arkansas State needs a good rebound after a rough loss versus Southern Miss. The Red Wolves posted 456 total yards with 28 first downs and 9-of-15 on third-down tries but the whopping six turnovers (five picks) helped sink the proverbial ship. The defense gave up 356 pass yards and 528 yards total but also had a couple of picks themselves. Southern Miss’ 12 penalties didn’t hurt either. The Red Wolves have 21 or more points in three straight games now.
As for the Cajuns, they showed some resiliency against Texas State in their last game but the Bobcats’ 11 penalties, two turnovers and 2-of-8 success rate on third downs certainly helped. Louisiana has won consecutive games now with a combined 73 points scored in that pair. I like this one to be a fairly high-scoring finish as well, with the Red Wolves eking out a cover.