Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves Picks and Prediction for Thursday, November 20, 2025

It’s a West Division clash between a pair of Sun Belt foes on the gridiron as two teams collide in the Razorback State as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns travel to face the Arkansas State Red Wolves Thursday night and we have you covered with our Louisiana vs. Arkansas State prediction. Louisiana came in off a bye week last week. They picked up a 42-39 win at home over Texas State in their previous contest, November 8, winning outright as a 3.5-point underdog. Arkansas State comes in off a bye last week. They fell 27-21 at home to Southern Miss on November 8 in their previous game, covering the line as a 6.5-point underdog. In the all-time series between the schools, the Ragin’ Cajuns own a 29-21-1 advantage, including a 55-19 home victory in the most recent meeting on November 9, 2024. Read more about this Louisiana vs. Arkansas State prediction! Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our NCAAF Betting Picks!

Louisiana Seeking Third Straight Victory

Louisiana won their second straight game as it outgunned Texas State at home in their previous contest back on November 8. The Ragin’ Cajuns improved to 4-6 overall and 3-3 in the Sun Belt on the season with the triumph. Against Texas State, Louisiana trailed 10-7 after the opening quarter before outscoring the Bobcats 28-7 in the second quarter to take a 35-17 lead at the half. The Ragin’ Cajuns were up 35-20 after three quarters and 42-20 with 13:02 and held on after the Bobcats scored 19 unanswered points to make it a three-point game with 3:12 to play. Louisiana managed to run out the clock after the ensuing kickoff to secure the win. Louisiana was outgained 528-384 in total offense, picked up 27 first downs while allowing 22, and owned a 37:58 to 22:02 edge in time of possession in the game. Both teams turned the ball over twice. Unfortunately, there was a postgame fight that resulted in suspensions for both teams.

On the season, Louisiana is tied for 121st in the FBS in passing offense with an average of 160.1 yards per game, while they are 35th in rushing with 186.4 yards per contest to date. The Ragin’ Cajuns stand 74th in scoring offense as they put up an average of 26.1 points per game, while they are 110th in scoring defense by allowing 30.3 points per contest this year. Daniel Beale is 42 of 84 passing for 395 yards with one touchdown against four interceptions, plus 16 rushing yards on the season. Walker Howard (12 of 30, 111 yards, three INT, 49 rush yards, TD) and Lunch Winfield (78 of 134, 1095 yards, 502 rush yards, seven rush TD) have also seen action under center. Zylan Perry leads the run game with 110 carries for 602 yards and seven scores. Bill Davis (122 carries, 560 yards, four TD) and Steven Blanco (24 carries, 137 yards, TD) have shared the load in the run game. In the passing attack, Shelton Sampson Jr. leads the team with 24 receptions for 442 yards and five scores on the year. Robert Williams (17 catches, 269 yards), Charles Robinson (10 grabs, 182 yards, TD), Dale Martin (six receptions, 134 yards, two TD), Brock Chappell (11 catches, 106 yards, TD) and Caden Jensen (17 grabs, 104 yards, TD) are each over the century mark in receiving yards. Tony Sterner is 30 of 30 on extra point attempts and 13 of 19 on field goal attempts with a long of 51 this season.

Key Injuries for Louisiana

• S Collin Jacob (31 tackles, 1 INT) is out.
• S Courtline Flowers (45 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs) is out.
• S Tyree Skipper (52 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) is out.

Red Wolves Looking to Earn Bowl Eligibility

Arkansas State saw their four-game win streak snapped as they were downed by Southern Miss in their previous contest at home. The Red Wolves fell to 5-5 on the year overall and stand tied for second in the Sun Belt West Division with a 4-2 mark in conference play. Against Southern Miss, Arkansas State trailed 10-7 after the opening quarter, 17-7 at the half, and 20-7 after three quarters. The Red Wolves got within six twice in the final quarter, the last time with 3:15 remaining. They had one final drive, reaching the Golden Eagles' 13-yard line, only to throw an interception as time expired. Arkansas State was outgained 528-456 in total offense and turned the ball over six times while recording just two takeaways in the contest. Those numbers offset the Red Wolves’ 28-22 edge in first downs and a 30:15 to 29:45 margin in time of possession in the loss.

For the year, the Red Wolves are 49th in the nation in passing offense with 246.7 yards per contest through the air and tied for 97th in rushing offense with 130.7 yards per contest on the ground. Arkansas State is a dismal 100th in the FBS in scoring offense with 23.3 points per contest, while they are 83rd of 136 FBS teams in scoring defense by allowing 26.5 points per game. Jaylen Raynor is 259 of 380 passing for 2,454 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while adding 354 yards and seven scores on the ground. Josh Flowers (two of six, 13 yards, TD, INT, 60 rush yards) is the backup. Devin Spencer leads the team on the ground with 81 carries for 428 yards and a score. Kenyon Clay (109 carries, 405 yards, two TD) is the second back in the run game. Chauncy Cobb leads the team with 63 catches for 634 yards on the year. Corey Rucker (51 grabs, 656 yards, TD), Hunter Summers (35 receptions, 403 yards, four TD), Tyler Fortenberry (24 catches, 180 yards, TD), Clay (32 grabs, 162 yards, three TD) and Jaylen Bonelli (15 catches, 143 yards, two TD) are each solid pass-catching options. Clune Van Andel has hit all 26 extra point attempts and 15 of 19 field goal attempts with a long of 53 this season.

Louisiana vs. Arkansas State Pick

Spread Pick for Louisiana vs. Arkansas State

• Louisiana +3 (4 units)

While Arkansas State has the better mark right now, Louisiana has the momentum with back-to-back wins on the board heading into this contest. The Ragin’ Cajuns have been better offensively with Winfield running the show and that is something that can’t be overlooked. Sure, Arkansas State had won four straight before falling to Southern Miss in their previous contest, but they are below average on both sides of the ball. The Red Wolves are a -6 in the takeaway/giveaway department this season, giving the ball away 18 times on the year. Louisiana is a -1 in that department as they have 14 takeaways against 15 giveaways on the year. In what is likely a close game, turnovers can make all the difference. Granted, missing most of your starting secondary is less than optimal but the Ragin' Cajuns have been playing next man up most of the season. The weather is projecting rain most of Thursday, which will make for a slick ball and slick turf. That may negate the passing game of Arkansas State to some extent and alleviate the loss of the secondary starters for Louisiana. Take the points and the Ragin’ Cajuns here as the run game keeps them in it.

Over/Under Pick for Louisiana vs. Arkansas State

• Under 54.5 (4 units)

Louisiana has seen the over post a 6-4 mark in their 10 games on the season, though they have been streaky in that department. The Ragin’ Cajuns opened the year with two straight unders, followed by three straight overs, then back-to-back unders, and they enter this game on the heels of three straight overs. Arkansas State enters this game with eight under on the books in its 10 games this season. The Red Wolves have stayed under the number in four of their five home games on the year. Six of the last nine meetings between the teams have fallen short of the number and with both teams prone to self-destructing, look for this game to wind up short of the number.