Centennial Bank Stadium hosts a Thursday night college football match-up when the UL Lafayette Ragin Cajuns travel to play the Arkansas State Red Wolves. The contest is scheduled to start on Thursday, Sept 19th at 7:30 p.m. EST. The Sun Belt Conference showdown can be seen on ESPNU for your viewing entertainment. Coming into this game, Las Vegas has the Red Wolves as a -13 point favorite and the over/under penciled in at 65.
The UL Lafayette Ragin Cajuns proved their defensive effort two weeks ago wasn’t a fluke when they dispatched of the Texas State Bobcats 24-7 last Thursday. The Ragin Cajuns have now won two in a row and look to continue their hot streak on the road in Arkansas.
The Arkansas State Red Wolves crushed Coastal Carolina 51-17 at home last weekend. The victory was the Red Wolves third straight. They now have improved their record to 3-2 on the season. In that game, Arkansas State used a balanced offense to rack-up 34 second-half points and win this one with ease.
As of now, UL Lafayette has a 20-13 edge in the all-time series between the schools. Including, a 24-19 win at home in the last meeting on November 26, of 2016.
UL Lafayette Ragin Cajuns (3-3)
Unlike the teams of the past, the Ragin Cajuns are picking up victories with the play of their defense and not their offense. Over the last two weeks, Louisiana has held their opponents to only 23 points combined. The elevated play of their defense has relieved some pressure on the other side of the ball. Now, the Ragin Cajuns aren’t relying on their air attack to outscore teams. As a result, they are finding more consistency on the ground which is balancing out an offense that is learning on the fly.
Quarterback Andre Nunez stepped in when starter Jordan Davis was banged up in the Texas A&M game. With some help from the running game, he has performed pretty efficiently. In three games, Nunez has tossed the ball 88 times, completing 57 of those throws. He also has collected 732 yards with four touchdowns and one pick. Although he has been smart with the football, he doesn’t possess the running ability that Jordan Davis has.
Now healthy, Jordan Davis becomes another option for the Ragin Cajun’s offense. In his first three starts, he has completed 63 passes for 676 yards with five scores and four interceptions. The dual-threat signal-caller has also scampered for 103 yards on 34 attempts and two more trips to the end zone.
Tailback Trey Ragas has been the real reason that the Louisiana offense has balanced itself out. Because of his production, the unit has had a little time to adjust to their new starting quarterback. Ragas has been a rock, running for 528 yards on 82 carries (6.4 ypc) and seven touchdowns. Teammate Elijah Mitchell spells Ragas quite effectively. The second option has rumbled for another 257 yards and four more scores.
Wideouts Keenan Barnes and Ryheem Malone do most of the damage when the Ragin Cajuns take to the air. Together, the two have combined for 56 catches for almost 800 yards and Four scores. Sophomore receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley is no slouch either. He also has 17 catches that have been good for 246 yards and another two scores.
I’m not suggesting that the Louisiana defense has found all the right answers coming into this Sun Belt affair. Still, they have managed to shut their last two opponents down. With that being said, the last of those victories was against Texas State who is one of the worst offenses in the FBS. Overall, they sit 124th in the country against the run. Also, the Ragin Cajuns sit 88th against the pass and are surrendering 486 yards a game in total defense (121st).
Arkansas State Red Wolves (3-2)
The Red Wolves had little resistance in their 51-17 destruction of Coastal Carolina last Saturday. Arkansas State broke open a 17-7 game at the half by scoring 17 unanswered points in the third quarter to take total command of the contest. Now, Arkansas State has reeled off three straight wins to get above the .500 mark. Furthermore, they improved to 2-0 in conference play after the victory over lowly Chanticleers.
Offensively, the passing game is leading the way, ranking 10th in the country at 332 yards a game. Quarterback Justice Hansen has been great, tossing for almost 1,600 yards with 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. The 19 touchdowns tie him with the likes of Oklahoma State’s quarterback Mason Rudolph. It also places him tied for second in Division I ball, behind West Virginia’s Will Grier.
The Red Wolves’ running game hasn’t exactly been productive in 2017. Entering this game, they rank 108th in the nation with only 123 yards a contest. Running back Warren Wand needs to step up his production to help keep teams from keying in on the passing attack. Currently, Wand has run the ball 48 times for 276 yards and four trips to pay-dirt.
Justice Hansen is similar to a lot of other top quarterbacks in college football in the fact he spreads the ball around nicely. Seven different receivers have caught a least ten passes and all of them have a touchdown or more to their credit. Wideout Blake Mack leads the team with 22 catches and six touchdowns. Counterpart Chris Murray is out in front with 347 yards. He also has four touchdowns on his resume’.
Defensively, the Red Wolves also struggle to stop schools from matriculating the ball down the field. The run-stop allows 228 yards a game which is 114th best in the nation. The secondary has performed better, giving up 223 yards (69th). Unfortunately, the squad is 110th in Division I ball, allowing 451 total yards a game (110th).
Prediction
Oddsmakers have set this Sun Belt Conference game’s total at 65. I think it’s pretty obvious why that is the case. Both of these teams can find ways to move the football and both score well over 30 points a game. Yes, the Ragin Cajuns have shown some improvement in their last two outings, but still are very weak against the pass. That has to be concerning heading into Arkansas State this Thursday. Don’t forget, the Red Wolves have one of the best passing offenses in the country.
Line setters also have the Red Wolves as a 13 point home favorite here. In reality, they have only beaten two FBS schools that have a combined record of 1-11. For that reason, I’m going to suggest that my readers play this one safe and buy the 13 points up to 14 or 14.5 and play the UL Lafayette Ragin Cajuns. Also, the over 65 is high but I believe it is playable if you think that the Ragin Cajun’s two defensive efforts have been sort of a mirage. If that is the case and Arkansas State scores in the 40’s this game should hit that total. #moneytreesgrow @EriktheHun
Trends
The Ragin’ Cajuns are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 conference games.
The Ragin’ Cajuns are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games.
The Under is 10-2-1 in the Ragin’ Cajuns last 13 conference games.
The Red Wolves are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 home games.
The Red Wolves are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
The Over is 22-7-1 in the Red Wolves last 30 conference games.
The Underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
To make a play on this game or any other contest that you would like to make a wager on, go HERE and have at it.
