The Week 7 of the NCAAF starts on Wednesday, October 12, with this Sun Belt Conference clash, and here you can take a look at the best Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Thundering Herd betting pick and odds.

UL Lafayette is desperate to avoid the fourth straight loss when they visit Marshall at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. The Thundering Herd are -10.5 favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 47.5 points. These conference rivals have met once in 2021, and the Ragin’ Cajuns won that game 36-21 in Huntington, WV.

Ragin’ Cajuns suffered another tight loss

The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (2-3, 3-2 ATS) are now on a three-game losing skid after suffering a 20-17 home loss to the South Alabama Jaguars. It was the second straight one-possession defeat, and after losing 21-17 to UL Monroe on the road, this one was more painful. The hosts tied the game at 17-17 with just 42 seconds remaining, but the Jags made a field goal as time expired and got away with a W.

Ben Wooldridge completed 18 of 29 passes for a miserable 90 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Chris Smith led all the runners with 107 yards on 12 carries, while Pearse Migl caught that lone TD pass from Wooldridge, but in general, the Ragin’ Cajuns didn’t play well on offense and didn’t deserve to win. On defense, Jourdan Quibodeaux led all the players with nine tackles, while Kris Moncrief and Bralen Trahan had seven tackles apiece.

Thundering Herd didn’t have problems with the Bulldogs

The Marshall Thundering Herd (3-2, 2-3 ATS) snapped a two-game losing run with a comfortable 2-7 home victory over the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs. Marshall kept the visitors off the scoreboard in the final three quarters and allowed just 143 yards while they totaled 421 in return. The Thundering Herd were also better in first downs (21-7) and possession (38:26-21:34), while the hosts committed one turnover opposite Gardner-Webb’s four.

Henry Colombi completed 13 of 20 passes for 138 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Corey Gammage and A.J. Turner found the end zone after getting Colombi’s passes, while Charles Montgomery led all the receivers with 72 yards on five catches. Khalan Laborn was dominant on the ground with 191 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries. Steven Gilmore recorded a pair of interceptions; Owen Porter had two sacks, while Abraham Beauplan led the team with six tackles.

RB Rasheen Ali is away from the team after taking a leave of absence, and it is uncertain when he will return.

Trends:

Louisiana:

  • 5-2 ATS in the last seven games overall
  • 10-4 ATS in the last 14 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game
  • 7-0 ATS in the last vs. a team with a winning record

Marshall:

  • 2-5 ATS in the last seven games overall
  • 3-7 ATS in the last ten vs. a team with a losing record

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Marshall Thundering Herd Pick  

Marshall is better in offense, defense, and rushing yards per game, and although I believe the hosts can get a win here, I am backing the Ragin’ Cajuns to cover. Louisiana is only better in passing yards per game with 209.6, but given the Thundering Herd allow just 16.2 ppg, I doubt the hosts will surrender a lot of points against the team that averages 25.6 ppg. Still, UL Lafayette did beat Marshall in Huntington last year, and even if they fail to do it on Wednesday, I think they will stay close and cover.

Pick: Take the Ragin’ Cajuns at +10.5 (-110)

The Total

Marshall is relying on run offense, which is a top 15 in the country with 224.4 ypg, and when you have such a dominant running back as Khalan Laborn, it’s not strange at all. Laborn already has 731 yards and eight rushing touchdowns, and he will likely get to the end zone at last once in this one. The Thundering Herd are going to control the game clock and set the tempo of the game, so I don’t see a lot of points here. Under is 7-0 in the Ragin’ Cajuns’ last seven games following a straight-up loss; Under is 6-1 in the Thundering Herd’s previous seven home games, while Under is 4-1 in Marshall’s last five games overall.

Pick: Go Under 47.5 points (-110)