The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (5-1, 3-0 Sun Belt) travel to meet the Arkansas State Red Wolves (1-5, 0-2) Thursday at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Ark. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Louisiana vs. Arkansas State odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Ragin’ Cajuns roughed up visiting Appalachian State 41-13 in a Tuesday game Oct. 12 as 4-point underdogs. The defense, which came up big again, is allowing just 17.8 points per game (PPG) during its five-game win streak.
Arkansas State hasn’t struggled like this in years. The Red Wolves tumbled to 4-7 in last season’s strange COVID-19 season. They had qualified for nine consecutive bowls prior to that.
Louisiana at Arkansas State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 9:17 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Louisiana -750 (bet $750 to win $100) | Arkansas State +500 (bet $100 to win $500)
- Against the spread (ATS): Louisiana -18.5 (-105) | Arkansas State +18.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 70.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Louisiana at Arkansas State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Louisiana 48, Arkansas State 24
Money line
Louisiana (-750) will cost you seven and a half times your potential return. That’s just too much risk for too little of reward, especially backing a road team.
AVOID and look to the spread instead.
Against the spread
LOUISIANA -18.5 (-105) is a strong play, even on the road. Arkansas State can hold its own on offense, as it’s good for 30.0 PPG, including a tremendous pass attack which picks up 356.7 passing yards per game.
However, Ark State’s defense is atrocious, ranking at or near the bottom of the FBS. The D is 130th out of 130 teams in total yards allowed (584.0) and points allowed (46.7) per game, while ranking 129th in passing yards allowed (315.7) and rushing yards allowed (268.3) per game.
Look for the Ragin’ Cajuns to rage up and down the field.
Over/Under
OVER 70.5 (-108) is quite a high total, but Arkansas State is terrible on the defensive side of the ball. I expect Louisiana to go high 40’s, perhaps even into the 50’s. Arkansas State can move the ball, but it will be put to the test against a strong and improving Louisiana defense.
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