In the AutoNation Cure Bowl, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are underdogs as they prepare to battle the Tulane Green Wave. This afternoon game gets underway at 1:30 p.m. ET and you can view the action live on CBS Sports Network.
Tulane Green Wave at Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Betting Preview
In this Saturday game, Tulane is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 3 points. The Green Wave are also receiving -155 moneyline odds while the Ragin’ Cajuns are +135. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 59 points, and should one school can find paydirt early on, it would likely lead to a decent betting scenario in-game.
This game’s opening line was 3.5. The total hasn’t changed since it opened at 59.
Each of these teams has been profitable this year as the Green Wave have gained 2.5 units and the Ragin’ Cajuns are up 3.8 units.
The Green Wave have gone 6-6 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Ragin’ Cajuns are 7-6 SU.
The Green Wave enter after a 29-28 victory over Navy on November 24Their defense allowed the Midshipmen to rush for 117 yards on 45 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Malcolm Perry had a good day for the Midshipmen in that one with 73 yards and a score on one catch. On the offensive side, Justin McMillan completed 18 passes for 291 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Darius Bradwell (66 rushing yards on 15 attempts) and the signal-caller McMillan (51 yards on eight carries, one TD) led the ground attack. Darnell Mooney (five receptions, 135 yards, one TD) and Terren Encalade (five catches, 35 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Louisiana just lost a 30-19 game to Appalachian State. The team’s defensive unit allowed the Mountaineers to kill the clock by running for 225 yards on 44 rush attempts, including three rush TDs. Darrynton Evans had a good outing, recording 111 rushing yards on 17 attempts for Appalachian State. For Louisiana, Andre Nunez completed 10-of-21 passes for 85 yards and two interceptions. Elijah Mitchell (85 yards on 17 rush attempts) and Trey Ragas (101 yards on 16 carries) spearheaded the running game while Ja’Marcus Bradley (four receptions, 41 yards) and Ryheem Malone (two catches, seven yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Tulane has run the ball on 65.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Louisiana has a rush percentage of 61.8 percent. The Green Wave have produced 208 rush yards/game and have 25 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Ragin’ Cajuns are totaling 229 rushing yards per game and have 29 total rush TDs.
The Green Wave offensive scheme has averaged 186 yards in the air overall and has 14 passing scores so far. The Ragin’ Cajuns have put up 208 pass yards per game and have 26 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Tulane has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 153 yards and throw for 267 yards per game. The Louisiana D has given up 222.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 210.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Green Wave are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 6.38 to opposing QBs, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have allowed an 8.06 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, McMillan has put up 1,012 yards this year. The signal-caller has connected on 58-of-116 attempts with nine passing scores and only one interception. McMillan’s got an 8.76 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 6.84 over the last two outings.
Andre Nunez has completed 163-of-255 passes for 1,988 yards, 16 TDs and 11 INTs for Louisiana. His ANY/A stands at 6.32 for the season and 4.08 over his last two outings.
NCAA Prediction: Tulane Green Wave vs. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
SU Winner – Tulane, ATS Winner – Tulane, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Over/Under for Tulane’s last game was 50. The over cashed in the team’s 29-28 triumph over Navy.
As a team, Tulane has averaged 4.1 yards per rush attempt across its last three games and 4.5 over its last two.
Louisiana has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.9 over its last two.
Louisiana has lost three fumbles this season while Tulane has let 11 get away.
In its last three contests, Tulane is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Tulane has won five of its last six games SU, with a 31-point loss to Houston on November 15th accounting for the only defeat over that span.
The Over/Under for Louisiana’s previous outing was set at 55. The under cashed in the 30-19 defeat to Appalachian State.
Over its last three games, Louisiana is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Green Wave offense has created 11 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have put up 10 such plays.
The Tulane defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Louisiana has given up 11 such plays.
The Tulane offense has created 30 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Louisiana has created 31 such runs.
The Green Wave defense has allowed 13 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have given up 19 such runs.
The Tulane defensive unit has 35 sacks on the year while Louisiana has just 24.
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