NCAAF Bowl season is upon us, and we are getting ready for an exciting month of college football. The New Orleans Bowl is one of the newer Bowl games in the bunch, dating to 2001. For the 21st edition, we have the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns of the Sun Belt Conference taking on the Marshall Thundering Herd of the C-USA as announced on Dec. 5.

This will be the first meeting for these two teams, however, Marshall will be moving to the Sun Belt conference in the 2023 season.

Each year, the game is played at the Caesars Superdome, in New Orleans, Louisiana. You may be familiar with the venue if you are a New Orleans Saints fan.

Let’s take a look at the game itself, and learn everything we need to know about the 2021 New Orleans Bowl.

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2021 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Finishing at 12-1 and 8-0 in their conference during the regular season, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns had a fantastic season. Perhaps the most prominent win came back on November 20, where the Cajuns beat down NFL draft prospect Malik Willis and the Liberty Flames 42-14.

This game comes with a bittersweet storyline. Namely, this will be head coach Billy Napier’s final game coaching the Cajuns before he moves on to Florida. Michael Desormeaux will be Cajun’s new head coach.

Offensively, the Cajuns are led by a three-headed backfield, comprised of running backs Emani Bailey, Montrell Johnson, and Chris Smith. Together, these three have combined 384 carries for 2,184 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Quarterback Levi Lewis has also gotten in on the ground game action, posting nearly 400 yards on 55 carries, adding five scores.

The key to this matchup for the Cajuns is going to be this ferocious run-blocking unit and impossible-to-stop rushing attack, coming from four different angles.

The Cajuns head into this game as 5.5 point favourites vs. Marshall, according to FanDuel Lousiana Sportsbook.

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Marshall did not post nearly the same 12-1 record as the Cajuns did, going 7-5 this season and 5-3 in Conference USA.

Quarterback Grant Wells has been fairly up and down this season, posting over 3,400 yards passing, but on just 16 touchdowns and adding 12 interceptions.

According to PFF, he actually has 17 turnover-worthy plays, so it appears he has been a bit lucky in that department.

Beyond Wells, there are two standout players for the Thunder Herd: Running back Rasheen Ali and wide receiver Corey Gammage.

Ali has had a monster season, scoring 20 touchdowns on 230 carries, while adding 1,229 yards on the ground.

Gammage saw 104 targets this year, catching 69 of those passes for 827 yards, but only corralling two touchdowns. The one part of Gammage’s game that has been his Achilles heel is his drops, posting seven this season, with five of them coming in the short passing game (0-9 yards).

Marshall has solid run defenders in linebackers Abraham Beauplan and Brian Cavicante, but that may not be enough for the 5.5 point underdog.

Most sportsbooks in Lousiana are floating around 6 points in both directions, but FanDuel has a more favourable line with that five and the hook.

The Ragin’ Cajuns are going to be tough to stop in this one, so anything six and under, especially this line from FanDuel Louisiana, will be a sportsbook to wager with.

Head to FanDuel Louisiana now before this spreads out to six or even a full touchdown including the extra point.

This could be a great first move for you when it comes to sports betting in Louisiana.

New Orleans Bowl Moneyline Odds

In terms of the moneyline, there is definitely some value with the Thunder Herd on both FanDuel Louisiana and DraftKings Louisiana.

Right now, at FanDuel, the Cajuns sit at -220, while the Thundering Herd sits at +176 and also +190 at DraftKings.

The problem is it’s hard to envision a scenario in which the Thundering Herd pulls this one off against the Ragin Cajuns, so I’ll take the -220, even if it’s not fantastic betting lines-wise.

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New Orleans Bowl Point Spread Odds

At -5.5, the Sun Belt Cajuns are the team to take here. This line and any spreads close to it is way too low for a team that is going to decimate the Thundering Herd on the ground.

Defensively, Marshall, the underdog, is just in over their heads in this one. Expect Lousiana-Lafayette to cover this spread with relative ease.

New Orleans Bowl Over/Under Odds

Both FanDuel and DraftKings list the over/under for this game at 53.5, and that is a wager I’m willing to make, with the Ragin Cajuns accounting for most of that.

Marshall should also be able to do some positive things on offence against a Cajuns team that really only has a few players to be overly concerned with on defence—cornerback Trey Amos and safety Percy Butler.

Wells, Ali, and Gammage should be able to move the ball, but the Cajuns will be able to do much more than them, making the over and the Cajuns minus the point spread one of my favourite college football picks.

Ragin Cajuns win this one 35-20.

New Orleans Bowl Prop Bets

Props are hard to come by as college football bowl games still have a bit of time before kickoff, but DraftKings does offer lines for the first half.

At -3.5 for the Cajuns, this is another line I’m going to take. Sure, the hook here makes it a bit less desirable, but the running game in college football can be such an impactful part of an offence and the Cajuns in their last game with Napier will be looking to run down the throats of the Thundering Herd.

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Who won the most New Orleans Bowls?

Both Louisiana-Lafayette and Southern Miss have won this college football bowl game four times apiece. However, Louisiana-Lafayette was forced to vacate two of the wins in 2011 and 2013 because of NCAA violations citing ACT fraud.

• Southern Miss: 4 wins; 2004, 2005, 2008, 2016 (4-1 overall)

New Orleans Bowl Betting Tips

• Spread: Take the Ragin’ Cajuns on anything 7 points or less
• Moneyline: Take the Cajuns, though there is value on Marshall’s side
• Total: Take the over on anything 54.5 and under
• First Half Spread: Take the Cajuns on anything 3.5 points or less

For this game, it is highly advised to go all-in on the Cajuns. This will be Napier’s final game coaching the team, there are also some legitimate NFL prospects, especially along the offensive line, looking to improve their stock.

Marshall will also be able to do some damage on offence, but they do not have the pieces to stop this four-deep rushing attack.