The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide are set to face off on the grass at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This daytime matchup is scheduled to get going at 12:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to SEC Network.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Preview
Alabama is the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 49 points to Louisiana. Bookmakers have not determined this game’s over/under (O/U) yet. Some good live betting opportunities might present themselves during this game.
The line opened at -51, but has recently shifted.
The Ragin’ Cajuns are 1-2 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 0.6 units so far in 2018. The team’s recorded an O/U mark of 1-1. The Crimson Tide have gained 0.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-1 ATS and the over has hit in three of their games.
The Ragin’ Cajuns have gone 1-2 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Crimson Tide are 4-0 SU.
The Ragin’ Cajuns lost to Coastal Carolina 30-28 in a nailbiter where their defense allowed the Chanticleers to eat up the clock by running for 311 yards on 56 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. On the offense, Andre Nunez completed only seven-of-14 passes for 133 yards and one touchdown. Trey Ragas (103 yards on 15 rushes, one TD) and Raymond Calais (108 yards on five carries, one TD) spearheaded the ground attack while Keenan Barnes (four receptions, 46 yards, one TD) and Ryheem Malone (two catches, seven yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Alabama enters this one following a 45-23 win over Texas A&M. Tua Tagovailoa completed 22-of-30 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns. Najee Harris (43 yards on eight rush attempts) and Damien Harris (52 yards on seven carries) mounted the running game as Jerry Jeudy (six receptions, 78 yards) and Irv Smith Jr. (four catches, 74 yards) led the receiving attack in the win.
Louisiana has run the ball on 54.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Alabama has an overall rush percentage of 57.7 percent. The Ragin’ Cajuns have produced 206 rush yards per game and have six touchdowns on the ground this year. The Tide are totaling 205 rush yards per game and have nine total rushing TDs.
The Ragin’ Cajuns offense has averaged 210 yards in the air overall and has six passing TDs so far. The Tide have put up 335 pass yards per outing and have 16 total pass scores.
Defensively, Louisiana has allowed 263 rush yards and 207 pass yards per game. The Alabama defense has given up 216.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 108.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Tide are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 3.38 to opponents, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have given up a 7.96 ANY/A.
Offensively, Nunez has amassed 317 passing yards this year, and has connected on 72 percent of his 36 attempts with three scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. Nunez has an 8.65 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 6.87 over the last two outings.
We’re expecting the Ragin’ Cajuns to control tempo by feeding their running backs early and often. Along with Keenan Barnes (67 yards, one TD), Trey Ragas (245 rush yards, two rush TDs, 17 receiving yards) and Raymond Calais (177 rush yards, two rush TDs) have brought significant production to the Louisiana offensive scheme.
In the host locker room, Tua Tagovailoa has completed 47-of-65 passes for 842 yards, 10 TDs and zero INTs. Tagovailoa’s ANY/A sits at 15.36 for the year and 15.51 over his last two games.
The Tide also prefer to leverage their backfield. In addition to Jerry Jeudy (229 receiving yards, four receiving TDs), Damien Harris (168 rush yards, 76 receiving yards) and Irv Smith Jr. (zero rush yards, 154 receiving yards, one TD) have seen a lot of looks lately.
Betting Prediction: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
SU Winner – Alabama, ATS Winner – Louisiana
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
Louisiana has rushed for 5.3 yards per carry over its last two contests.
Alabama has averaged 4.4 yards per carry over its last two.
The Alabama offense has lost three fumbles this season while Louisiana has yet to lose any.
The Ragin’ Cajuns offense has produced two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Crimson Tide have accounted for seven such plays.
Both teams have allowed two pass plays of 40+ yards. The Louisiana defense has given up four pass plays of 30+ yards while Alabama has given up three such plays.
The Louisiana offense has created eight rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Alabama has created five such runs.
The Ragin’ Cajuns defense has allowed seven rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Crimson Tide have given up five such runs.
The Alabama defensive unit has created double the sack total of Louisiana this season (16 to eight).
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