College Football Week 8 begins on Tuesday night and we will see the Arkansas State Red Wolves travel to Louisiana to take on the UL- Lafayette Ragin Cajuns. The game is scheduled for an 8:00 PM (Eastern) start time and it will be televised live on ESPN2. Currently the odds for the game have UL- Lafayette favored by 4.5 points, while the total sits at 61.5. Currently 68% of the Public is on UL- Lafayette, while 62% is on the Over. Find out what side the Public is taking on all the games by clicking HERE.
Free Analysis: Louisiana-Lafayette looked like they would be a major factor in the Sun Belt heading in to a week eight road match up with North Texas. That didn't turn out well in a 30-23 defeat at North Texas as the offense didn't make plays and the defense allowed too many big ones. Arkansas State possesses one of the best offenses in the conference, averaging 31.3 points and 448.7 yards per game, including a Sun Belt-best 215.1 rushing yards per contest. It does a great job protecting the quarterback as well as the offensive line hasn't allowed a sack in four of seven games. Ryan Aplin is one of the top quarterbacks in Sun Belt history and he ranks third among all active FBS players in career yards with 10,569. This season has been no different for the senior signal-caller, as he has passed for 1,591 yards with 11 touchdowns against only two interceptions while rushing for another 244 yards and three scores. Arkansas' defense has not held up to its end of the bargain this season, allowing nearly 29 ppg. The unit surrendered 29 points to South Alabama in its last game, which is the second-lowest scoring team in the conference. Nathan Herrold has a team-high 69 tackles and also has an interception and two forced fumbles. Tim Starson has seven tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, but as a team the Red Wolves have just nine sacks total.
Louisiana opened the season with wins in four of its first five games before losing on the road to North Texas last Tuesday night, 30-23. The Cajuns are happy to be back home as they have one of the SBC's best home field advantages at Cajun Field. They have won eight straight games in Lafayette, with their last home loss coming in November of 2010. Among Sun Belt teams, only ULM scores more than Louisiana (35.5 ppg), although it is coming off a game against North Texas where it only recorded 12 first downs. Quarterback Terrance Broadway has played even better than the man he replaced in the injured Blaine Gautier, and he's coming off 349 yards of total offense and two touchdowns last week. He's completed more than 60 percent of his passes on the season for 877 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for another 219 yards and four scores.Alonzo Harris and Effrem Reed split time in the backfield and have been effective, as both average 5.1 yards per carry while combining for 657 yards and six touchdowns. The defense has been suspect in allowing more than 422 yards of total offense per game, but with a scoring defense of 25.3 ppg, it surprisingly ranks second in the Sun Belt. Rodney Gillis has accounted for four of the team's 13 turnovers with three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Cordian Hagans has 2.5 of the team's nine sacks.
Free Pick: I like the Under in this one. Yes Arkansas State has that quick strike ability and they use the No-huddle allot, but still after the Oregon game their last 6 games have averaged 55 ppg, while their Sun Belt games have averaged 52.7 ppg. Arkansas State averages 448 ypg and 31.3 ppg overall, but on the road they have put up just 412 ypg and 27 ppg and they will be taking on a Louisiana team that has played great defense at home this year. The Ragin' Cajuns have allowed 422 ypg and 25.3 ppg overall, but in their 3 home games they have given up just 226 ypg and 11 ppg. Defense isn't the only way to slow the Red Wolves down. Controlling the clock is another way. The Cajuns ground game will be key here as they average 176 rushing ypg at 5 ypc and will be going up against an Arkansas State defense that has allowed 208 ypg on the ground this year. I look for them to use that ground game allot which will keep the Red Wolves offense on the sideline and eat up clock, while Arkansas State will not score at will vs this tough Ragin Cajuns defense. Low 50's at most here.
-25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
Some more great content to check out at Pregame--- CFB Power Rankings - Dedicated Thread - Week 9... Get an expert opinion on any Side Play from Judge Joe... Get More Free Picks from the Pregame Pros HERE.
Pregame.com Webinar Q&A: Johnny Detroit
Pregame.com Webinar Q&A with Johnny Detroit. Join us as we walk you through how to bet on sports, use a live odds service, scalp, middling and other handicapping tips.