Ul Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns vs South Alabama Jaguars Picks and Predictions November 16th 2024

Louisiana Ragin Cajuns vs South Alabama Jaguars November 16th 2024

ESPN+ will be covering this week 12 South Alabama Jaguars vs. Louisiana Ragin Cajuns matchup, with the game set for 7:00 ET at Cajun Field in Lafayette. The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns are the heavy favorite at -8.5 points, coming in with an impressive 8-1 record for the season, while South Alabama has gone 4-5. The over/under line is currently at 58.5 points.

South Alabama vs. Louisiana Key Information

The Jaguars Can Win If…

South Alabama enters Week 12 with a 4-5 record, facing Louisiana. They are 2-2 at home and 1-3 on the road this season. The Jaguars have been favored in six of their nine games but have gone 2-4 as the favorite. Their average scoring margin is +10.8 points per game, and they have a 3-5 record against the spread.

South Alabama has a 67.9% chance of becoming bowl-eligible, according to our projections. They rank 68th in our CFB power rankings and have a 4.3% chance of winning the Sun Belt this season.

In terms of the over/under, South Alabama’s games have gone 3-5, with an average total of 60.3 points. Their average over/under line is 58.2 points, and this week’s line is set at 58.5 points.

Heading into week 12, South Alabama’s offense is averaging 35.6 points per game, placing them 20th in the nation. They are 18th in rushing, with 214.1 yards per game. Fluff Bothwell has rushed for 611 yards, averaging 6 yards per carry, and has scored 10 touchdowns. We have them ranked 60th in our offensive power rankings.

Quarterback Gio Lopez has thrown for 1,889 yards, leading the passing game with a 65.2% completion rate. He has 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 107. Jamaal Pritchett has 62 catches for 769 yards and seven touchdowns.

South Alabama’s defense is ranked 50th in the nation, allowing 24.8 points per game. In their recent 34-30 loss to Georgia Southern, they gave up 34 points, allowing 20 first downs and 338 total yards, including 231 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.

Opponents have averaged 264.2 passing yards per game against South Alabama, ranking them 151st nationally. Quarterbacks have completed 62.5% of their passes, while the defense has been more effective against the run, allowing just 132.9 rushing yards per game, ranking 58th in the country.

Louisiana enters Week 12 with an 8-1 record, and they are 100% guaranteed to be bowl-eligible. They have a 55.3% chance of winning the Sun Belt, according to projections. The Ragin Cajuns are 4-0 on the road and 2-1 at home this season.

Louisiana has been favored in four of their nine games, going 4-0 as the favorite. Their average scoring margin is +13.4 points per game, and they are 4-3 against the spread this season.

The over/under line for this week is 58.5 points. Louisiana’s over/under record is 4-3, with their games averaging 57 points per contest. Their average over/under line has been 58.8 points.

Louisiana’s offense has been impressive, averaging 35.2 points per game, which ranks 23rd in the nation. They are 17th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 12. Quarterback Ben Wooldridge has thrown for 2,301 yards with 17 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 112. The team ranks 12th in passer rating and 8th in completion percentage, completing 69% of their passes. They also convert 50% of their third downs, ranking 8th nationally.

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Louisiana is 36th in passing yards, averaging 266.8 yards per game. Wooldridge has completed 68.5% of his passes. On the ground, they average 191.8 rushing yards per game. Bill Davis leads the rushing attack with 585 yards, averaging 6 yards per carry and scoring 5 touchdowns. Lance LeGendre is the leading receiver with 515 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Louisiana’s defense is ranked 32nd nationally, allowing 21.8 points per game. They’ve given up 173 passing yards per game, which ranks 25th, and 165.8 rushing yards per game. Opposing quarterbacks have a 78.4 passer rating and a 64.7% completion rate against them.

In their last game, Louisiana’s defense allowed 19 points but forced two interceptions. Arkansas State gained 401 total yards, including 209 rushing yards on 39 attempts and 192 passing yards.

Our projections have Louisiana winning this matchup 32-19 over South Alabama. Louisiana is the -8.5 point spread favorite, and we expect them to cover the spread.

With the over/under line set at 58.5 points, we recommend taking the under, as our model projects a combined 51 points.