Jacksonville State vs Louisana Odds, Spread & Prediction – New Orleans Bowl

Sep 30, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns wide receiver Robert Williams (15) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the second quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY SportsThe Jacksonville State Gamecocks are 3-point favorites over the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in the New Orleans Bowl on Saturday, December 16It’s only the second meeting between the two schools. Jacksonville State won 28-14 in 2000The Gamecocks are 4-1 ATS in their last five games

It’s taken 23 years to get the Jacksonville Gamecocks (8-4, 8-3-1 ATS) and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (6-6, 5-7 ATS) back on a football field together. They will be facing each other for just the second time in this year’s New Orleans Bowl.

Back in 2000, the Gamecocks doubled the Ragin’ Cajuns 28-14 in the only prior meeting between the two teams. It’s the Gamecocks that oddsmakers are again liking in the rematch. They are 3-point favorites in the Jacksonville State vs Louisiana odds.

Taking a deeper look into the Jacksonville State vs Louisiana odds, we’ll offer you our pick for this NCAA football bowl game.

Jacksonville State vs Louisiana Odds

In the Jacksonville State vs Louisiana odds, the Gamecocks are -140 moneyline favorites, giving them a 58.33% implied win probability. The total is set at 59.5 points. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 1-3 on the over/under this season when the total is set at 59.5 points or higher.

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When it comes to Bowl game experience, the Ragin’ Cajuns are holding a significant edge over the Gamecocks. Louisiana is playing in a bowl game for the sixth consecutive season. It’s also the school’s seventh appearance in the New Orleans Bowl. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks are making their bowl game debut.

Kickoff for this game at Caesars Superdome on Saturday, December 16 is set for 2:15 pm ET. The broadcast is being carried by ESPN.

Gamecocks vs Ragin’ Cajuns Betting Trends

Looking at the college football public betting splits, the people are fairly solid in their belief that the Gamecocks will be winning the New Orleans Bowl. Favored Jacksonville State is getting 71% of handle and 81% of bets in the moneyline splits. The Gamecocks come into this game 3-2 straight up in the last five. Louisiana is 1-3 SU over the past four games.

When it comes to the spread splits, there’s division among the betting public. The handle is going 63% toward Jacksonville State. However, the bets are landing 70% on Louisiana. The Gamecocks are 4-1 ATS in the last five games. Louisiana is 3-2 ATS over the past five games.

Not surprisingly, the people are leaning to the under on the total of 59.5 points. It’s getting 58% of handle and 61% of bets. Jacksonville State (0-3) and Louisiana (1-3) are a combined 1-6 to the under this season when the total is set that high.

Solid Debut For Gamecocks

Playing their first season as an FBS school, Jackonsville State went 8-4 SU overall and 6-2 SU in Conference USA. Preseason predictions had them finishing seventh in the conference.

RB Malik Jackson has rushed for 874 yards this season, scoring seven touchdowns and averaging 6.5 yards per carry. QB Zion Webb also shows seven rushing TDs and 741 yards gained on the ground.

History Made‼️#HardEdge | #EarnSuccess pic.twitter.com/lNgKFpCiMe

— Jax State Football (@JaxStateFB) November 26, 2023

Through the air, Webb has passed for 1281 yards, but has just five TD passes against six interceptions. By comparison, backup Logan Smothers has tossed six TDs against two picks. TE Sean Brown has only caught 18 passes this season, but five of them went for TDs.

Gamecocks head coach Rich Rodriguez has previously been head coach of West Virginia, Michigan and Arizona. He’s 5-6 SU all-time in bowl game action.

Ragin’ Cajuns Squeak Into Bowl

Sitting with a 5-3 record entering November, Louisiana needed to win just one of the last four games in order to be bowl eligible. The Ragin’ Cajuns almost didn’t make it.

After losses to Arkansas State, Southern Mississippi and Troy, Louisiana required a last-game 55-21 triumph over Louisiana-Monroe to get to 6-6 and gain bowl status.

𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧 8️⃣@1chandlerfields was named one of the nation's top eight quarterbacks in week 13 by the @daveyobrien!#cULture | #GeauxCajuns pic.twitter.com/yjhuO6yfMy

— Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns® Football (@RaginCajunsFB) November 27, 2023

Injuries have left the Ragin’ Cajuns down to their third-string QB. Starter Ben Wooldridge was lost to a season-ending injury in the third game of Louisiana’s season. Freshman Zeon Chriss took over and also suffered a season-ending injury in the November 4 loss to Arkansas State

Fifth-year QB Chandler Fields is now at the helm of the Ragin’ Cajuns offense. He’s 1-2 SU as a starter. Fields threw for 284 yards and three TDs in the bowl-clinching win over Arkansas State.

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Jacksonville State vs Louisiana Prediction

As a first-year FBS school, Jacksonville State was told by the NCAA that the school was ineligible for a bowl game berth this year. However, when just 80 of 82 FBS schools met the six-win barrier to be bowl eligible, the Gamecocks were given a bowl game bid.

They already had a chip on their shoulder this season, and the NCAA merely gave the Gamecocks more incentive with the slight. It’s the Ragin’ Cajuns who will be paying the price, though.

Jacksonville State vs Louisiana Pick: Jacksonville State Gamecocks -3 (-105)