The Southern Miss Golden Eagles and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns meet Thursday in college football action from Cajun Field. Southern Miss is fresh off a matchup versus LA-Monroe. In that game the 2-7 Eagles managed a 17-point win. As for Louisiana, they faced off against Arkansas State over the weekend. The Cajuns ended up with a 20-point loss to fall to 5-4 overall. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles 

The Golden Eagles managed to win just one of their first eight games (40-14 over Alcorn State in the opener) but they were competitive in a handful of the losses. Southern Miss averaged a tepid 22.9 points per game during that span but didn’t have much luck with the passing game. The Eagles managed just eight TDs through the air alongside six interceptions in those outings. 

Back on Saturday versus LA-Monroe, the Eagles scored 17 points in the first quarter and held on for the win 24-7. QB Billy Wiles managed 200 yards with one TD and one pick, while Frank Gore Jr. led the rush with 131 yards and a score on 24 carries. Jakarius Caston added 92 yards and a TD off three catches. 

Southern Miss Golden Eagles Team Facts

• Southern Miss has lost seven of its last eight games.
• Southern Miss has covered the spread in nine of its last 10 road games in November.
• Southern Miss has won the first half in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Seven of Southern Miss’ last eight games as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 

Over on the Cajuns’ side, they fared better over their first eight games with a 5-3 record. Louisiana scored very well during that time, averaging 32.9 points per game with 34 total touchdowns. The Cajuns have a strong running game this year, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt with 17 rushing scores over those first eight games. 

In their latest outing versus Arkansas State, Louisiana was down 27-17 by the fourth quarter and didn’t get any closer in a 37-17 loss. Zeon Chriss posted 171 pass yards with a TD, and Dre’lyn Washington had 35 yards off 10 carries. Peter Leblanc had a nice game though, hauling in six passes for 129 yards and a score. 

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Team Facts

• Louisiana has won each of its last 10 November games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Louisiana has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Louisiana has lost the first half in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Each of Louisiana’s last nine November home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Southern Miss has suffered the equal-most road losses by a margin of 30+ points of any FBS team this season (2).
• Southern Miss has suffered the equal-most road losses by a margin of 35+ points of any FBS team this season (2).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stick with the Cajuns in this one. Also probably not touching it. Louisiana didn’t look great over the weekend versus a decent Arkansas State team, posting a tepid 327 total yards (64 rushing), 3-of-11 on third downs and two turnovers in the defeat. The Cajuns have now scored 17 points in two of the last three games (both losses). 

As for Southern Miss, they finally managed another win on Saturday and did it in pretty stylish fashion with 444 total yards (206 rushing). The Eagles have scores a combined 62 points in their last two outings combined, so Louisiana is going to have to get more effective on the scoreboard in this one.