68 Ventures Bowl Prediction: Best Bet for Louisiana vs Delaware

As bowl season has officially started, we get things cooking this week with games starting on Tuesday, December 16. In this article, we will break down the matchup between the 6-6 Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns and the Delaware Blue Hens.

This is a game of two teams going in opposite directions at season’s end. Will that matter on Wednesday night in Mobile, Alabama? Find out in our full betting preview below. Best of luck with all of your bowl action.

Both Teams Just Squeaked In

Speaking of direction, Louisiana-Lafayette saved its bowl season by winning its last four games down the stretch after starting its season 2-6. Delaware has been up and down all season, but did drop three of their last five games, all three on the road. Louisiana finished 5-3 in the Sun Belt, while Delaware finished 4-4 in Conference USA.

This matchup is very interesting. We have one team in Louisiana that thrives with the ground game, but is poor in the passing attack, while Delaware is elite at the pass game, and yet struggles on the ground. At the same time, we have two defenses that allow 30+ points. Let’s break things down a bit more!

Delaware’s Passing Attack

On offense, Delaware should be able to attack one of Louisiana’s weakest defensive areas. The Blue Hens rank 6th nationally in passing yards (302.2 yards/game) and top 50 in third-down conversion rate, while Louisiana’s defense ranks 87th against the pass, 106th on third down, and 112th in first downs allowed. Louisiana can struggle to get teams off the field, as they tend to allow sustained scoring drives.

Louisiana’s defense also struggles with efficiency and pressure. They rank 109th in yards per play allowed and sit outside the top 95 in sacks, QB hits, and tackles for loss, which is a concern against a Delaware offense that is top 10 in passing and protects the quarterback well.

A Shootout Incoming?

On offense, Louisiana may be able to control the clock and tempo with its ground game, but it is missing a huge piece in this game. Louisiana is now without senior LT Bryant Williams, an 11-game starter who allowed zero sacks. A redshirt freshman will be asked to protect the blindside against a Delaware defense that ranks in the top 40 in QB hits and top 26 in tackles for loss.

From a scoring standpoint, Delaware averages a few more points, but it was against a weaker strength of schedule. The Blue Hens average nearly 30 points per game and rank in the top 50 in offensive scoring, while Louisiana’s defense ranks 105th in points allowed.

Delaware can generate a more explosive offense overall, ranking higher in first downs, passing efficiency, and net yardage, which should give them plenty of opportunities to keep this game within 3 points, or win outright. In Louisiana’s four game win streak to end the season, two of the three games ended at 3 and another at 4.

Best Bet: 1.5% Delaware +3.5 (-115, FanDuel)