Ragin’ Cajuns Host Bobcats In Thursday Night Clash

Louisiana (1-1 SU, 0-2 ATS) and Ohio (0-2, 0-2) both seek their first point spread cover of the season after struggling last week against FCS opposition. The Ragin’ Cajuns opened as 20.5-point favorites to win for the ninth time in their last 10 games.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Ragin’ Cajuns are laying another big number at home, where they’re favored by double digits for the 11th time in their last 13 outings. Despite those big spreads, five of Louisiana’s last six games at Cajun Stadium have been decided by a touchdown or less.

Ohio News & Notes

The post-Frank Solich era in Ohio isn’t off to a good start. The Bobcats have lost their first two games with Tim Albin as coach, marking the first time Ohio has begun a season 0-2 SU since 2008, and last week’s 28-26 loss to Duquesne was the Bobcats’ first loss to an FCS opponent in nearly two decades.

Ohio has a lot of problems right now, but the most glaring ones against the Dukes were defense and discipline. The Bobcats allowed Duquesne to control the ball for more than 41 minutes, and their seven defensive penalties gave the Dukes 76 free yards. Ohio’s offense also made some costly mistakes, having a 47-yard pass play negated by a holding penalty and allowing a safety for the second consecutive week.

Maybe playing a Thursday night contest on national TV will help the Bobcats stop their 1-5 ATS slide. Ohio has thrived in the prime-time spotlight recently, covering eight straight on Thursdays and going OVER the total in seven of those eight contests.

Louisiana News & Notes

The Cajuns bounced back from a season-Sportsbook loss to beat Nicholls State last week, but it was hardly a convincing victory over their FCS foe. Louisiana was outgained 511-394 in total yards, giving up 359 through the air, and one of the Cajuns’ touchdowns in their 27-24 victory came on a 67-yard interception return.

Those defensive issues could continue again this week, at least until Louisiana settles on which players it wants to start in the secondary. The Cajuns have gone with an unconventional approach of starting the defensive backs who have had the best week of practice, but that could change after allowing 38 points to Texas in the opener and then struggling again in Week 2.

Offensively, senior quarterback Levi Lewis should be brimming with confidence after throwing for 300-plus yards against Nicholls State, just the third time in his career he’s had that many yards through the air. Lewis spread the ball around to 11 different receivers, with junior transfers John Stephens Jr. and Michael Jefferson providing the biggest plays in the passing game.

Staff Betting Pick: OVER 52.5

Louisiana’s streak of eight straight UNDERs at Cajun Stadium should come to an end this week as this total looks a bit too low for a pair of struggling defenses.