Louisiana vs. Arkansas State Prediction
Is Louisiana set to cover as a road favorite when the Cajuns take on Arkansas State in Sun Belt Conference play tonight at 7:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
305 Louisiana vs. 306 Arkansas State
Thursday, October 17, 2019
7:30PM ET – Centennial Bank Stadium
TV: ESPNU
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Louisiana is the favorite on the road, as the Cajuns are getting odds of -6.5 points against Arkansas State. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 68 points. The public betting currently has Lafayette getting 62 percent of the wagers as the road favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Arkansas State looking to get over .500
Arkansas State is coming off a 52-38 loss at Georgia Southern two weeks to drop to 3-3 on the season. The Red Wolves are 1-1 in the Sun Belt this year while going 2-4 against the spread and 4-2 with the over.
Defense has been a major issue for the Red Wolves this year, as they rank near the bottom of the country. Arkansas State is giving up 38.7 points and 537.3 yards per game on defense while the offense is putting up 33.7 points and 430.8 yards per contest. The team took a blow when they lost Logan Bonner for the season to a thumb injury. He threw for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns with just one interception. Layne Hatcher has replaced him and thrown for 792 yards and eight scores. Omar Bayless is an impressive receiver, who has 44 catches for 843 yards and 10 touchdowns. Marcel Murray is the leading rusher with 194 yards and a score.
Cajuns hoping to bounce back
The Louisiana-Lafayette football team was on a four-game win streak, but the Cajuns suffered a 17-7 loss at home to Appalachian State last Wednesday. Louisiana is 4-2 on the year, 1-1 in the Sun Belt, 5-1 against the spread and 4-2 with the over.
The Cajuns are one of the stronger offenses in the nation, averaging 38.2 points and 492.3 yards per game. They have the sixth-ranked rushing offense in the nation at 282.2 yards per game. Defensively, Lafayette is giving up just 20.7 points and 344.8 yards per game. Levi Lewis has been leading the team with 1,111 passing yards and nine touchdowns while Trey Ragas is the leading rusher with 572 yards and six touchdowns. Elijah Mitchell has added 470 rushing yards and nine scores.
College Football Betting Trends
Arkansas State
The Red Wolves have covered the spread in five straight Thursday games and 6-2 ATS in their last eight games following a bye week.
Louisiana
The Ragin’ Cajuns are 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games following a cover and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 conference games.
Prediction:
The home team has won and covered the spread in five straight in this series. Two of the last three have been decided by five points or less. I think Lafayette can buck the home trend tonight. The Cajuns played well against App State last week, but just couldn’t find the offense. That won’t be an issue against this Arkansas State defense. The Red Wolves haven’t been able to stop anyone. The Cajuns have enough defense to limit the Arkansas State offense as well, which should allow them to cover.
College Football Week 8 Prediction: Louisiana -6.5
Related: Louisiana vs. Arkansas State Total Prediction