LendingTree Bowl Betting Preview: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks

The penultimate game of the college football season is Monday’s LendingTree Bowl between the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks in Mobile, Ala. Oddsmakers list Louisiana as a 14-point favorite with an over/under of 55.5 points.
Despite losing in the Sun Belt Championship Game for the second straight season, the Ragin’ Cajuns have put together a 10-win season. They have become one of the elite programs in the Sun Belt under Bill Napier.
Louisiana’s only losses this year came at the hands of Mississippi State in a 10-point setback in the season opener and twice to Appalachian State, a 13-1 team that will finish the season in the Top 20.
Of course, Miami also had a banner season, winning the MAC East Division and then beating Central Michigan in the conference championship game.
The RedHawks have come a long way since going 2-10 in Chuck Martin’s first season in 2014. They are now playing in just their second bowl game since 2010, which is the last time Miami won a bowl game, so just getting to the LendingTree Bowl is a big deal.
I Know That Name
Leading the RedHawks is freshman quarterback Brett Gabbert, the younger brother of NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert. He’s had plenty of ups and downs this year, but Gabbert has played well enough to lead the RedHawks to the MAC title.
Behind Gabbert, Miami averaged just under 25 points per game this season, which is a modest total in the MAC. But he did enough with a modest rushing attack, allowing the RedHawks to use their defense to win most of their games, including six of their last seven.
Against Louisiana, Gabbert and the Miami offense will face one of the best defenses they’ve faced this year outside of Iowa, Cincinnati, and Ohio State, who the RedHawks played in September. The Ragin’ Cajuns gave up 20 points or less in over half of their games this season and were usually stingy against the pass.
They could pose an issue for Gabbert, who will need as much as help as possible from running back Jaylon Bester.
On the Ground
The Ragin’ Cajuns possess one of the best rushing attacks in the country. They ranked sixth nationally in rushing yards, which is exceptional for a Group of Five program that doesn’t run the triple option. The trio of Elijah Mitchell, Raymond Calais, and Trey Ragas all ran for over 750 yards this season while combining for 32 rushing touchdowns.
That helped make things easy for quarterback Levi Lewis, who threw 24 touchdown passes compared to just four interceptions.
Of course, the Ragin’ Cajuns will be up against a Miami defense that conceded just 22 points per game in conference play. As mentioned, the RedHawks saw plenty of quality teams during their non-conference schedule, so they won’t be intimidated by the Louisiana offense.
Surely, Miami’s defense will provide more resistance than the Ragin’ Cajuns saw for most of the season in the Sun Belt.
Run Away With It
In their seven games against bowl teams, the Ragin’ Cajuns averaged 32 points per game. That includes scoring just seven points in one of their losses to Appalachian State.
Even against a good Miami defense, there should be no doubt that Louisiana will score points. Whether Gabbert and company can match is another matter. Bet on Louisiana to cover the 14-point spread in the LendingTree Bowl.