Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana Prediction: Can Rich Rodriguez, Gamecocks Win First Bowl Game in New Orleans?
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks will take on the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns on Saturday afternoon in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Can coach Rich Rodriguez bring his team to a perfect ending to their first year in the FBS with a bowl win? Joey Ruiz breaks down the matchup and gives his pick in Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana.
Joey Ruiz - December 16, 2023, 11:30 AM EST
5 minJacksonville State vs. Louisiana Prediction: Can Rich Rodriguez, Gamecocks Win First Bowl Game in New Orleans?
Jacksonville State had a fantastic season in their first as an FBS program as they enter this matchup against ULL with a record of 8-4. Can they finish off the year with a bang against Louisiana? Let's break it down.
Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana Date, Start Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: December 16, 2023
- Game Time: 2:15 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN
Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana Odds
- Spread: Jacksonville State -3 (-110), Louisiana +3 (-110)
- Total: Over 56.5 (-110), Under 56.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Jacksonville State (-150), Louisiana (+130)
Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana Prediction
Jacksonville State has a record of 8-4 this season and their only losses came to Coastal Carolina (With Grayson McCall), Liberty, South Carolina, and New Mexico State who have a combined record of 35-16 (69%). Jacksonville State also had South Carolina on the ropes for a majority of that game as they were actually up by a touchdown at one point in the 3rd quarter.
Jacksonville State has nearly no opt-outs or transfers they will be without for this game, but a key player missing for them will be their kicker, Alen Karajic. Karajic was a solid place kicker for the Gamecocks this season, but JSU usually goes for most fourth downs anyways and without their kicker, I think they will be even more aggressive. This could actually be a good thing for them in this game as they converted on 43% of their 4th downs this year.
Louisiana also does not have many opt-outs or transfers, but they are also dealing with a multitude of injuries, specifically to their offensive line. Louisiana will be without their starting Left Tackle who is having offseason surgery, and their starting center (Landon Burton) also missed time to end the season and will likely be questionable for this game.
This is not the game to have offensive line issues as the Jacksonville State defense can wreak some real havoc on the defensive end. On the season, the Gamecocks are ranked 18th in opponent yards per play (4.8), 4th in yards allowed per carry (2.8), 25th in sack percentage, and 12th in takeaways per game (1.9). Jacksonville State does an excellent job at taking the ball away and are ranked top 25 in the nation in turnover margin per game. Louisiana enters this game with a record of 6-6 and they have been extremely inconsistent this season. ULL lost games to Southern Miss (34-31), Arkansas State (37-17), and a bad loss to Old Dominion. Louisiana's wins have also been a bit unimpressive this season as they defeated Northwestern State (a bad FCS team), UAB, Buffalo, and Louisiana Monroe. All bad teams who failed to reach a bowl this season. Louisiana's defense has been a huge problem this season as they allowed an average of just under 30 points to FBS teams.
I do not see how Louisiana is going to stop Jacksonville State's vaunted rushing attack and I also foresee JS forcing multiple turnovers in this game as ULL has had below average QB play from 2nd and 3rd stringers nearly all season. With that being said, I am rolling with Jacksonville State moneyline at -132 odds for 1.5 units as one of my most confident college football plays of the day, as I think the Gamecocks get the job done and finish off their first season as an FBS team with a win.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Pick
Pick: Jacksonville State ML -132 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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