New Orleans Bowl: Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana odds, picks and predictions
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8-4) and Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (6-6) meet in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Saturday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Gamecocks are bowling for the 1st time in school history. Jacksonville State was originally unexpected to qualify for a bowl after NCAA rules state schools transitioning from FCS to FBS are ineligible for postseason play for 2 years. However, there weren't enough teams eligible for bowls, so the NCAA allowed the Gamecocks in, along with James Madison, a team in the same boat rules-wise.
As far as the transfer portal, which has wreaked havoc on all college rosters, Jax State lost K Alen Karajic, but he is the only loss so far. CB Jabari Mack is out for the season with an injury, so CB Kekoura Tarnue will again start in his absence. EDGE rusher Jaylen Swain (right leg) is questionable to go with a right leg issue. He is 2nd on the team with 4 sacks.
Jax State lost the regular-season finale 20-17 at New Mexico State, a 10-win team, but it is a solid 3-2 straight up (SU) and 4-1 against the spread (ATS), with the only other loss in the span coming at South Carolina, an SEC team, on Nov. 4. The Over is 3-1 in the past 4 games overall for the Gamecocks.
Louisiana also escaped too much damage from the portal, losing only LB Kendre Gant. He was 3rd on the team with 37 tackles, with compiling 6 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.
The Ragin' Cajuns are making their 11th trip to a bowl game. Technically Louisiana is just 5-3 in bowl games, with 2 victories vacated by NCAA sanctions. This will be the team's 7th appearance in the New Orleans Bowl, winning 5 of the past 6 trips, while 2 of those victories, again, were vacated.
Louisiana topped rival Louisiana-Monroe on the final Saturday by a 52-21 count as 13-point favorites to become bowl eligible. It has covered the past 2 games, the first time all season it has covered in consecutive outings. The Over is on a 3-0 run.
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Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday 7:26 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Jacksonville State -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Louisiana +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread (ATS): Jacksonville State -2.5 (-115) | Louisiana +2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 58.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana picks and predictions
Prediction
Louisiana 33, Jacksonville State 30
Moneyline
LOUISIANA (+120) is a pretty solid option at plus-money. Nearly every time it has been in the New Orleans Bowl, it has won. The campus is in rather close proximity to Lafayette, and the Cajuns should have a loud and boisterous crowd backing them Saturday afternoon.
This bowl game will be a rarity, as nearly every postseason team was hard hit by the transfer portal, but this game features the teams looking pretty much like they did in the regular season. The Cajuns offense has posted 35.7 PPG across the past 3 outings, and they're a fun bunch.
Jacksonville State (-1450) has won just 3 of the past 6 games overall, with just 1 of those wins against a winning team (Western Kentucky).
Against the spread
LOUISIANA +2.5 (-105) is the play if you would like a little bit of wiggle room, in the event of a 1- or 2-point win by Jacksonville State -2.5 (-115).
However, whomever wins this game is likely going to cover, too, and we like Louisiana. Just play it straight up for a better value.
Over/Under
OVER 58.5 (-110) might be the best play on the board.
We have controlled environmental conditions under the dome in the Big Easy, and believe it or not, weather will be a factor in some of the other outdoor venues on Saturday. Inside, it will be dry, cozy and a fast track.
Louisiana has cashed the Over in 3 straight outings, while averaging 39.0 PPG with 28.7 PPG allowed in the same span.
The transfer of the kicker for Jax State could mean kicking woes, or it could mean going for 2 whenever possible, too. The Gamecocks managed 28 or more points in 3 of the final 4 games, including at South Carolina. The defense is pretty stout for the Gamecocks, allowing 20 or fewer points in 4 of the past 5 games, but indoors, we will likely see a shootout.
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