Coastal Carolina definitely looks like the best team in the Sun Belt and one of the best non-Power 5 programs in college football. But the two teams matching up tonight in Lafayette are going to have a say in the Sun Belt title race.
Both teams are 4-1 with their only losses to Power 5 programs. It says a lot that App State is favored even though they are on the road.
Louisiana won by just three points last season, breaking a long stretch of wins by the Mountaineers. A little revenge is never a bad thing.
Appalachian State Mountaineers (4-1) vs Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (4-1), ESPN2, 7:30 p.m. ET
Appalachian State Mountaineers vs Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns College Football Betting Odds
Moneyline
- Appalachian State Mountaineers -192
- Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns +154
Total
- OVER 57.5 (-106)
- UNDER 57.5 (-114)
Spread
- Appalachian State Mountaineers -3.5 (-110)
- Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns +3.5 (-110)
Appalachian State Mountaineers vs Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns college football betting odds are via FanDuel Sportsbook as of Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 11:59 a.m. ET.
Appalachian State Mountaineers vs Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Betting Outlook
The only blemish for App State this season is a two-point loss at Miami. Unfortunately for the Mountaineers that is not a great Hurricanes team this season, or even a good one.
Nevertheless they have looked solid, especially quarterback Chase Brice, who is having some success, finally. He is not the running threat of some recent App State quarterbacks, but the Mountaineers are still nice and balanced on offense. RB Camerun Peoples is a bruiser who has scored in every game he has played in this season. He and shifty Nate Noel form a very effective duo, though Noel is on the injury list for tonight.
App State is only giving up 20 points per game to its opponents and only Miami and Marshall have scored more than that. Last year they gave up just 24 points in the loss to Louisiana, and both teams love to run the ball and control the clock. This year they have been pretty stingy against the run, coming in 35th in the nation in that category. So they may be able to make the Cajuns one dimensional, which is the goal.
Cajuns Have Been Quiet After High Preseason Expectations
The Cajuns had a chance to make a statement when they faced Texas to start the season. Unfortunately, they fell flat in that loss and pretty much have been ever since even though they have won their other four games. They have covered just once in that span as this very experienced team just hasn’t come together the way they did a year ago. The offense is not popping the way it did a season ago and there doesn’t seem to be any great reason for what we are seeing other than each season is an island unto itself I guess.
Louisiana’s defensive number are a mixed bag. They are not giving up many points, sitting at 22 points allowed per game, but they have been giving up a lot of yards to their opponents. They have just two takeaways on the season so they are finding ways to stop opponents before they score. App State is definitely the best team they have faced since losing to the Longhorns, as Sun Belt wins over Georgia Southern and South Alabama have not been impressive.
College Football Betting Trends to Consider for Appalachian State Mountaineers vs Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
- Appalachian State is 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games on turf.
- The Mountaineers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
- The Mountaineers are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games as a favorite.
- Louisiana is 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games as an underdog.
- The Ragin' Cajuns are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following a ATS loss.
- The Ragin' Cajuns are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Appalachian State Mountaineers vs Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Best Bet
Louisiana +3.5
Even though the Cajuns have not been as good as expected this season I was very surprised that they were home underdogs, especially in this midweek showdown against another Sun Belt team. There should be nothing sleepy about tonight’s game as both teams look to prove they are the second-best team in the conference. I still like Cajuns coach Billy Napier a lot and expect he will coax their best game of the season so far. They likely win outright and the value with that hook is great.
