Marshall vs. Louisiana Prediction and Odds for New Orleans Bowl

The No. 23 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and the Marshall Thundering Herd square off in this year’s New Orleans Bowl at the Caesars Superdome (in New Orleans) this weekend. 

The Cajuns currently ride a 12-game winning streak after dropping their season opener to the Texas Longhorns. The offense is led by Levi Lewis who has thrown for 2,647 yards, 19 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Chris Smith handles things in the running game and leads the team with 855 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. 

On the other side, the Thundering Herd ended their season losing two of their last three games against Western Kentucky and UAB. Quarterback Grant Wells has 3,433 yards and 16 TDs, but also 12 INTs.

Wells has a decision-making issue, not an accuracy problem as he's completed 66.8 percent of his passes. He just needs to pass a bit less to the other team and cut out some of his costly turnovers.

Here are the odds for the 2021 New Orleans Bowl, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Marshall vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Spread and Over/Under

Spread:

• Marshall: +5 (-110) 

• Louisiana-Lafayette: -5  (-110) 

Moneyline:

• Marshall: -290

• Louisiana-Lafayette: +230

Total:

• 67.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Marshall vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Betting Trends

• The Thundering Herd are 6-6 against the spread (ATS) in their last 12 games. 
• The Thundering Herd are 0-1 ATS against ranked opponents. 
• The Thundering Herd are 5-5 ATS in their last 10 road games. 
• The Thundering Herd are 3-1 ATS in their last four games as underdogs. 
• The Cajuns are 6-7 ATS in their last 13 games. 
• The Cajuns are 6-5 ATS in their last 11 games following a win. 
• The Cajuns are 3-6 in their last nine games as favorites. 

Marshall vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Prediction and Pick

While the Ragin’ Cajuns are the better team heading into the weekend, they have struggled down the stretch to cover games. Despite a 12-game win streak, the Cajuns are just 2-5 ATS in their last seven games as betting favorites and haven’t covered a bowl game in four years. Meanwhile, the Thundering Herd are 7-2 ATS in their last nine bowl appearances. 

Despite these numbers, I am wary of trusting Marshall here against one of the hottest teams in the nation. The Cajuns have a high quality of defense and are able to put up scores in bunches against most of their opponents. The Herd lost two of three heading into Bowl Season and have one of the worst rushing defenses in all of college football.

Give me the Ragin’ Cajuns because they are red-hot, going against a bad rushing defense and also playing in their own backyard. 

Pick: Louisiana -5 (-110)