The Arkansas State Red Wolves take on the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns this week in a game that will feature the SBC’s third-leading rusher, Elijah McGuire (585 yards, 7 TDs). Things have continued to look bleak for Louisiana-Lafayette (2-3), who were on the losing end of two of their last three. The game kicks off Tuesday, Oct 20 at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be shown on ESP2.
In last week’s matchup, Arkansas State defeated South Alabama 49-31. Tres Houston had a good performance in the victory, pulling in three receptions for 59 yards and one TD. Louisiana-Lafayette was victorious in its game before the bye as well, easily getting past Texas State 49-27. Al Riles had a huge game for the Ragin’ Cajuns, grabbing nine receptions for 98 yards and one TD. Jalen Nixon also had a great game with 238 yards and three TDs through the air.
The odds between the Red Wolves and the Ragin’ Cajuns are even this week, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available.
With a 3-3 record both Straight Up (SU) and Against The Spread (ATS), the Red Wolves will look to improve as they head into Week 8. Arkansas State has averaged 39 points per game over the last five weeks, higher than its season average of 33.5. The Red Wolves run the ball often. Their 45.2 rushing attempts per game are the 23rd-highest in the country. During their last five games, the Red Wolves gave up 211.4 passing yards per game. It is critical for the Ragin’ Cajuns to prepare for Arkansas State’s big-play defense, which ranks seventh in the nation with 2.5 turnovers per game. The Red Wolves hope to continue the trend of torching Louisiana-Lafayette’s defense during the second quarter, when they allow 11.2 points per game. Arkansas State’s special teams squad is a force to be reckoned with. They average 151.8 return yards per game, third in Division I.
As for their opponent, the Ragin’ Cajuns fare well ATS, sitting at 3-2. However, they are only 2-3 SU this season. The defensive front seven better be ready for Louisiana-Lafayette’s bruising rushing attack which has averaged 231.2 yards on the ground over its past five games. Over the last five games, the Ragin’ Cajuns turned it up on defense, only allowing an average of 219.6 passing yards per game. The Red Wolves will have to stay focused in the third quarter against Louisiana-Lafayette. The Ragin’ Cajuns usually start off the second half with dominance, averaging 10.4 points during the third quarter.
Predictions: SU Winner – Arkansas State, ATS Winner – Arkansas State
Notes
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Arkansas State’s last 13 games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Arkansas State’s last 7 games at home.
Arkansas State is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home.
Arkansas State is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Louisiana-Lafayette.
Arkansas State is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Louisiana-Lafayette.
Arkansas State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Louisiana-Lafayette is 1-0 SU when leading at the half this season. Arkansas State is 2-1 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
Remarkably, Arkansas State is winless (0-2 SU) in games where it comes out ahead in the turnover battle, yet undefeated (3-0 SU) when losing the turnover battle.
The Arkansas State rushing attack is ranked 35th nationally, while the Louisiana-Lafayette run defense is only ranked 93rd. The Ragin’ Cajuns running game is ranked 16th, compared to the 47th-ranked rush defense of the Red Wolves.
