In a battle of two schools that prefer to run the football, Head Coach Billy Napier and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (+11) are gearing up to take on their conference nemesis Troy Trojans (-11) at Larry Blakeney Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Kickoff for this critical game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to ESPN+.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Troy Trojans Betting Preview
In this Saturday Sun Belt game, Troy is tabbed as the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 11 points. The Ragin’ Cajuns are also receiving +315 moneyline odds while the Trojans are -425. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 64 points. Some good live betting scenarios should be unveiled during the contest.
Since the game’s over/under was initially set at 65, early action has slanted toward the under.
Both of these teams have been profitable this season as the Ragin’ Cajuns have gained 2.8 units and the Trojans are up 1.9 units.
The Ragin’ Cajuns have gone 4-4 straight up (SU), including 2-2 SU against conference opponents. The Trojans are 6-2 SU overall and are also 4-0 SU in conference play.
The Ragin’ Cajuns just put together a 47-43 win over Arkansas State last weekTheir defense allowed the Red Wolves to run for 208 yards on 45 rush attempts, including five rush TDs. Kirk Merritt had a productive day for the Red Wolves in that one with 122 yards and a score on four catches. On the offense, Andre Nunez completed 18 passes for 295 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Trey Ragas (just 54 yards on 18 rush attempts, one TD) and Raymond Calais (121 yards on seven carries, one TD) propelled the ground attack in the win while Elijah Mitchell (six receptions, 121 yards, one TD) and Jarrod Jackson (four catches, 129 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties.
Troy just got a 38-17 win over South Alabama. The defense allowed the Jaguars to run for 110 yards on 45 rush attempts. Tra Minter was a bright spot in the defeat for South Alabama, accounting for 99 rushing yards on 23 attempts, along with 49 yards and a score on two catches. For Troy, Sawyer Smith completed nine-of-16 passes for 158 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. B.J. Smith (170 rushing yards on 22 attempts, one TD) led the ground game in the win as Damion Willis (five receptions, 132 yards, two TDs) and Tray Eafford (one catch, 10 yards) led the pass-catching corps.
Louisiana has run the ball on 60.7 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Troy has a rush percentage of 58.0 percent. The Ragin’ Cajuns have rushed for 232 yards/game (including 233 per game versus Sun Belt opponents) and have 19 scores via handoffs this year. The Trojans are putting up 213 rush yards per game (254 in conference) and have 15 total rushing TDs.
The Ragin’ Cajuns offensive scheme has logged 234 yards per game through the air overall (220 per game versus conference opposition) and has 18 passing TDs so far. The Trojans have produced 200 pass yards per game (222.3 against SBC foes) and also have 18 total pass scores.
Defensively, Louisiana has let opponents rush for an average of 222 yards and pass for 240 yards per game. The Troy defense has allowed 243.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 130.0 yards per game on the ground. The Trojans are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.67 to opponents, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have given up an 8.19 ANY/A.
Offensively, Nunez has amassed 1,375 passing yards on the year. He’s connected on 68 percent of his 149 attempts with 13 passing scores and six interceptions. Nunez’s got an 8.14 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.98 over the last two games.
Sawyer Smith has connected on 31-of-50 passes for 371 yards, six TDs and three INTs for Troy. His ANY/A stands at 6.63 for the year and 5.95 over his last two outings.
These two conference adversaries did not get a chance to play one another last season.
RELATED: Week 10 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Pick: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Troy Trojans
SU Winner – Troy, ATS Winner – Troy, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Troy D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 26 times this year. Louisiana has produced just 16 sacks.
Troy has lost eight fumbles this season while the Louisiana offense has let two get away.
The Ragin’ Cajuns offense has recorded seven pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Trojans have accounted for six such plays.
The Louisiana defense has allowed six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Troy has given up seven such plays.
The Louisiana offense has created 18 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Troy has created 22 such runs.
The Ragin’ Cajuns defense has allowed 13 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Trojans have given up nine such runs.
The O/U for Troy’s last outing was set at 52.5. The over cashed in that 38-17 victory over South Alabama.
In its last three matches, Troy is 1-1-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
In its last three matches, Louisiana is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
Louisiana has won four of its last five games SU, with an October 20th defeat to Appalachian State representing the only loss over that span.
Troy has won seven of its last eight games SU, with a -6-point loss to Liberty on October 13th representing its lone defeat over that stretch.
The O/U for Louisiana’s last game was 68.5. The over cashed in the team’s 47-43 win over Arkansas State.
As a team, Louisiana has rushed for 5.2 yards per attempt over its last three outings and 4.6 over its last two.
Troy has averaged 6.5 yards per carry over its last three games and 5.2 over its past two.
*****
