The Ohio Bobcats (0-2) and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (1-1) meet Thursday at Cajun Field in Lafayette, La. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Ohio vs. Louisiana odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Bobcats have been in freefall in the post-Frank Solich era. He elected to retire in mid-July and turned over the keys to Tim Albin. The latter is still searching for his first win after a 29-9 loss to Syracuse and 28-26 setback to FCS Duquesne last weekend.
The Ragin’ Cajuns opened the season in the Top 25, but quickly tumbled out of the rankings after a 38-18 dusting at Texas Sept. 4. They rebounded with a 27-24 over FCS Nicholls State, but they failed to cover the spread in each game. The Under is 2-0 for Louisiana.
Ohio at Louisiana odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:25 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Ohio +700 (bet $100 to win $700) | Louisiana -1200 (bet $1,200 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Ohio +20.5 (-107) | Louisiana -20.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Ohio at Louisiana odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Louisiana 38, Ohio 16
Money line
Louisiana is looking for its most complete performance of the season, and a visit from Ohio should be the elixir to cure its ills.
The Bobcats have really had a difficult time moving the ball, posting just 326.5 total yards and 17.5 points per game. Defensively, they haven’t been very good, either. Still, risking 12 times your potential return on Louisiana is just too much, and over the long term that’s a bad betting strategy.
AVOID.
Against the spread
LOUISIANA -20.5 (-115) has had its fair share of struggles so far, getting pounded at Texas, before narrowly escaping against Nicholls.
The big problem for the Ragin’ Cajuns is that their run game has struggled. They should be able to get things going against Ohio), a team that lost outright last week as a 28.5-point favorite. Confidence is at an all-time low for the Bobcats, and hitting the road to play a tough Louisiana side in the heat and humidity of the south is not what the doctor ordered for the visitors.
Over/Under
UNDER 56.5 (-107) is worth a small-unit play. Ohio’s defense has struggled through the first two games and while Louisiana is a solid passing team, it has had issues getting the run game going.
The Cajuns might spend plenty of time early trying to establish the run and Under bettors love when that happens, as running the ball means the clock keeps running.
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