Louisiana vs Jacksonville State Prediction Football Picks 12-16-23
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (6-6) vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8-4)
2023-12-16 14:15:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns -3 -- Over/Under: 57.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns meet in the New Orleans Bowl in college football action from the Caesars Superdome on Saturday afternoon. Who leaves the Big Easy with a bowl victory? Let’s dive in and give out a Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana Prediction.
Jacksonville State Team Preview
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks reached the New Orleans Bowl as a first year FBS team as not enough teams gained bowl eligibility, but Jacksonville State deserved one anyways, finishing 8-4 on the year. Zion Webb’s thrown for 1,281 yards, 5 touchdowns and 6 INTs on 50% passing. Malik Jackson has rushed for a team-high 860 rushing yards with 7 touchdowns while Webb has 638 rushing yards with 7 TDs and Ron Wiggins and Anwar Lewis have combined for 785 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. Perry Carter has a team-high 34 receptions for 603 receiving yards, while another two Gamecocks have 200+ receiving yards and three more have 100+ receiving yards on the year. On defense, Quae Drake has a team-high 86 total tackles while Chris Hardie has a team-high 7.5 sacks. As a unit, Jacksonville State has combined for 36 sacks and 16 interceptions this season.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Team Facts
- Jacksonville State has covered the spread in four of its last five games.
- Nine of Jacksonville State’s last 12 games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
More College Football Picks: Miami (OH) vs Appalachian State Prediction!
Louisiana Team Preview
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns booked their spot in the New Orleans Bowl after finishing the regular season with a 6-6 record. Zeon Chriss has thrown for 1,222 yards, 11 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on 66.7% passing while also rushing for 492 yards and 6 touchdowns but is out for the season with a leg injury. Jacob Kibodi has a team-high 729 rushing yards with 7 touchdowns and Dre’Lyn Washington has 442 rushing yards as well this season. Jacob Bernard leads the Cajuns with 37 receptions for 473 yards while Peter LeBlanc has 29 catches for 449 yards. Three more Cajuns have 300+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, K.C. Ossai has a team-high 77 total tackles while Tyrone Lewis Jr. has a team-high 3 interceptions. Cameron Whitfield and Jordan Lawson each have a team-high 7 sacks while Kendre’ Gant has 6 sacks but has entered the transfer portal.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Team Facts
- The underdog has won four of Louisiana’s last six games.
- Louisiana has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents.
- Louisiana has won the first quarter in each of its last three games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
- Louisiana has won the first half in each of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
- Eight of Louisiana’s last 10 December games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana Prediction
I get the case to be made for either side here, but I’m rolling with Jacksonville State here. The Gamecocks like to run, run and run some more and under Rich Rodriguez, the Gamecocks this season were 14th in plays per game, so if they start going downhill on a Louisiana team that can’t stop the run, watch out. Chandler Fields filled in admirably down the stretch for Louisiana at QB, and you can pass on the Gamecocks’ secondary, but I think at the end of the day, the Gamecocks are flat out better in this matchup and they win this game by a touchdown at the very least. Give me Jacksonville State.