The Ohio Bobcats started their 2021 campaign with a pair of home losses, falling in their opener to Syracuse, 29-9. They followed that somewhat understandable loss up with an embarrassing setback against Duquesne, an FCS school, last week, falling by two points. Next up is a trip to #23 Louisiana. The Ragin’ Cajuns got dropped at Texas, 38-18, in their opener, and they rebounded with a 27-24 win over FCS foe Nicholls State in their home opener, a game in which Louisiana had a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter before the Colonels mounted a furious rally that came up just short. The teams have met three times previously, with Ohio winning twice. Louisiana won the last meeting, a 45-25 affair two seasons ago.
Check out our thoughts on this game as you decide whether or not to include it in your online college football betting.
NCAAF Preview: Ohio University at University of Louisiana (Thursday, September 16)
When: Thursday, September 16, 2021, 8:00 pm ET
Where: Cajun Field, Lafayette, LA
TV: ESPN
Radio: The Ohio Sports Network / KPEL 1420 AM Lafayette
Live Stream: Hulu
NCAAF Odds: Ohio +20 / O/U 57
Why should you bet on the Bobcats?
If you like Ohio, then you think the Bobcats can sneak close enough to cover this spread against a Louisiana team that also struggled against an FCS opponent in Week 2. In order to build offensive momentum, though, Ohio will need to run the ball better. O’Shaan Allison had 76 yards on 12 carries against Duquesne, but the Bobcats need to do even more on the ground to keep the Louisiana offense off the field. Kurtis Rourke has a 70% completion percentage on the season, but his 50 attempts have only yielded 310 yards, with one touchdown and one pick. He has also run for one score and averages 4.9 yards per run.
Louisiana also has a hard time running the ball. In their win over Nicholls State, the Ragin’ Cajuns ran for 113 yards as a team, but they could not run productively in the fourth quarter, which is why they had to punt to the Colonels enough times for Nicholls State to have the ability to generate that comeback. If Ohio can bottle up the run and then put pressure on Louisiana quarterback Levi Lewis, then they have a chance to keep this game close.
Why should you put your money on the Ragin’ Cajuns?
Expect Louisiana to load the box against the Ohio running game, forcing Ohio to beat them down the field in the passing game. Jourdan Quibodeaux, Zi’Yon Hill, Mason Narcisse and Chauncey Manac are the starting front four for the Louisiana defense, and they can all find their way into the backfield. Keeping the Bobcats in second- and third-and-long for most of the game will help Louisiana get the offensive possessions they will need if they are going to win and cover this large spread.
Ohio permitted 194 passing yards and 168 rushing yards (362 total) to Duquesne last week. Jett Elad led the team with 11 tackles, as well as one tackle for loss. Bryce Houston had 10 tackles and two tackles for loss. Against Nicholls State, Levi Lewis threw for 304 yards and two scores, going 19 of 33. Kyren Lacy, John Stephens Jr and Michael Jefferson all caught three passes each. If Louisiana can get the passing game going again, then they have a chance to sustain drives against an Ohio defense that has not been particularly stout.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
The 20-point spread is interesting, given that Louisiana lost by 20 to Texas and then just barely beat Nicholls State. Will Louisiana go off and take out some frustrations, or will they continue to struggle? I’m going to take Ohio and the points, but this isn’t my favorite bet of the week. I predict a final score of Louisiana 33, Ohio 16.
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