Two schools that like running the football, Head Coach Shawn Elliott and the Georgia State Panthers (+14) are set to take on their conference foe Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (-14) at Cajun Field. The game is scheduled to get going at 5:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to ESPN+.
Georgia State Panthers vs. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Betting Preview
Georgia State is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 14 points in this SBC game. The Panthers are also receiving +500 moneyline odds while the Ragin’ Cajuns are -735. There will probably be multiple good live betting possibilities for this contest, and oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 67 points.
The game’s O/U has not moved after it was set initially at 67. Having said that, the line opened at -13 and the early action has slanted toward the Ragin’ Cajuns.
The disappointing Panthers are 2-6-1 against the spread (ATS) and are down 4.5 units so far in 2018. The team has posted an Over-Under record of 5-3. The Ragin’ Cajuns are up 1.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 6-3 ATS and the over has hit in five of their games.
The Panthers are 2-7 straight up (SU), including 1-4 SU against conference opponents. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 4-5 SU overall and 2-3 SU in conference play.
The Panthers dropped one to Texas State 40-31 in a contest where the defense allowed the Bobcats to pass for 325 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 164 yards and four scores. Jeremiah Haydel had a good day for the opposition in that one with 103 yards and a score on two catches. On the offense, the Panthers completed 21-of-40 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown. Dan Ellington went 11-for-22 for 112 yards while Aaron Winchester completed 10-of-18 for 112 yards and one touchdown. Tra Barnett (85 rushing yards on 16 attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Ellington (89 yards on 13 carries) led the ground attack in the loss. Penny Hart (four receptions, 31 yards) and Roger Carter (four catches, 47 yards) shared the receiving duties.
One week ago, Troy knocked off this Louisiana crew by a score of 26-16. The Ragin’ Cajuns defensive unit allowed the Trojans to pass for 317 yards while rushing for 110 yards. Damion Willis was a force to be reckoned with, recording 213 yards on 10 catches for Troy. For Louisiana, Andre Nunez completed 11-of-25 passes for 126 yards and two interceptions. Trey Ragas (106 yards on 18 rush attempts, two TDs) mounted the ground game in the defeat while Ja’Marcus Bradley (four receptions, 67 yards) and Calais (two catches, seven yards) led the pass-catching attack.
Georgia State has run the ball on 56.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Louisiana has an overall rush percentage of 60.1 percent. The Panthers have run for 168 yards per game (including 210 per game versus Sun Belt opponents) and have 18 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Ragin’ Cajuns are totaling 217 rushing yards per game (207 in conference) and have 21 total rush TDs.
If the results so far this season are any indication, then it seems like the Ragin’ Cajuns ought to hold an edge when it comes to RB effectiveness, as their backfield has generated 5.5 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 5.1 to opponents. The Panthers have tallied 4.3 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 6.3 to opponents.
The Panthers offensive scheme has averaged 229 yards in the air overall (241 per game against conference opposition) and has 11 passing scores so far. The Ragin’ Cajuns have recorded 227 pass yards per game (210.0 against SBC foes) and have 18 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Georgia State has allowed 239 rush yards and 255 pass yards per game. The Louisiana defense has given up 248.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 209.7 yards per game on the ground. The Ragin’ Cajuns are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 8.73 to opponents, while the Panthers have given up a staggering 9.41 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Ellington is up to 1,586 yards on the year. The signal-caller has connected on 61 percent of his 213 attempts with eight passing scores and only two interceptions. Ellington has a 6.66 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.00 over the last two games.
Look for a balanced approach offensively from Georgia State in this one. Tra Barnett, Penny Hart and Dan Ellington have combined for 565 total yards and six touchdowns over the last couple of outings.
Andre Nunez has connected on 109-of-171 passes for 1,314 yards, 11 TDs and six INTs for Louisiana. His ANY/A stands at 6.23 for the season and 4.59 over his last two games.
We’re thinking the Ragin’ Cajuns will control tempo by feeding the ball-carriers early and often. Jarrod Jackson (161 receiving yards, two TDs this season) has contributed lately, but Elijah Mitchell (565 rush yards, eight rush TDs, 264 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Trey Ragas (786 rush yards, seven rush TDs, one receiving TD) have been significant focal points in the Ragin’ Cajuns’ recent offensive strategies.
These two conference adversaries did not get a chance to play each other a year ago.
Betting Prediction: Georgia State Panthers vs. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
SU Winner – Georgia State, ATS Winner – Georgia State, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Louisiana D has sacked opposing QBs 17 times this year. Georgia State has recorded just 10 sacks.
The Louisiana offense has lost three fumbles in 2018 while the Georgia State offense has let 12 get away.
Each team has produced seven pass plays of 40+ yards. The Panthers have have made 12 pass plays of 30+ yards while the Ragin’ Cajuns have created 15 such plays.
Both defenses have allowed nine pass plays of 40+ yards. The Georgia State defense has given up 16 pass plays of 30+ yards while Louisiana has permitted 17 such plays.
The Georgia State offense has created 10 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Louisiana has created 19 such runs.
The Panthers defense has allowed 21 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have given up 13 such runs.
Georgia State has lost eight of its last nine games SU, with a 32-point victory over Louisiana-Monroe on September 29th representing the only win over that span.
As a team, Georgia State has averaged 5.2 yards per rush attempt across its last three contests and 6.4 over its last two.
Louisiana has averaged 4.0 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 4.4 over its past two.
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