Marshall vs. Louisiana Prediction & Picks: Sun Belt Championship

The Sun Belt will crown a new champion on Saturday when the Marshall Thundering Herd meet the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.

My Marshall vs. Louisiana prediction takes a look at the college football odds while making against-the-spread and total picks for the Sun Belt Championship Game. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday from Cajun Field in Lafayette, La (ESPN). 

The Thundering Herd are in the conference championship game for the first time, whereas the Ragin’ Cajuns are making their fifth appearance in seven years. The hosts are unbeaten in this game at home, but will that streak continue?

Marshall vs. Louisiana prediction & best pick

College football picks based on the odds from our best college football betting sites. Odds subject to change.

• Against the spread pick: Marshall +5.5 () vs. Louisiana ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• My best pick: Marshall-Louisiana Over 57.5 () ⭐⭐⭐

Marshall vs. Louisiana ATS prediction: Sun Belt Championship

Marshall to cover the spread: +5.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -105 via Caesars | Implied probability: 51.22%

Louisiana head coach Michael Desormeaux has guided his side back to the Sun Belt title game for a record fifth time in seven years. While he hasn't been the frontman for all of those runs, Desormeaux has been on staff for each appearance and knows how to prepare for a massive game.

Meanwhile, Marshall is making its first run at a Sun Belt title.

Count Charles Huff’s men out at your own expense though.

The Thundering Herd have posted a 10-2 against-the-spread record that's tied with Arizona State for the best nationwide, with five of those wins coming in six road games. On the other side, the Ragin’ Cajuns are only covering at a 33% rate at home this season.

The key to this contest for the hosts will be trying to contain A.J. Turner and Marshall’s 19th-rated rushing attack. Louisiana gives up 152.7 yards per game on the ground.

That means it could be a much closer game than the best sports betting apps predict unless the Ragin’ Cajuns can force the visitors into 3rd-and-long situations.

Marshall vs. Louisiana best pick

Our NEW college football player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Marshall-Louisiana Over 57.5 ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -110 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 52.38%

Both teams are 6-6 to the total this season, so it’s difficult to get a read on the Over/Under for this contest. However, the games Marshall and Louisiana have played are leaning Over by a net of 2.9 and 1.8 points this campaign, respectively.

Offense is also the strength for both sides, with the Ragin’ Cajuns sitting 15th and the Thundering Herd ranking 39th in scoring offense. Comparatively, these teams sit 44th and 68th on the scoring defense charts.

This pick earns three stars of confidence because of the unpredictable weather. There’s an 88% chance of rain in Lafayette, which seldom bodes well for Over bettors. Nevertheless, I’m willing to take a risk on a slightly lower total than expected from BetMGM.

Marshall vs. Louisiana odds

See all of this week's college football odds and NCAAF scores.

Marshall vs. Louisiana live odds

Marshall vs. Louisiana opening odds:

• Marshall: +5.5 (-110)
• Louisiana: -5.5 (-110)

Marshall vs. Louisiana game info

• When: Saturday, Dec. 7
• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Cajun Field, Lafayette, La.
• How to watch: ESPN/ESPN+
• Weather: 53 degrees, 88% chance of precipitation, wind 4 mph ESE
• Favorite: Louisiana -5.5 (-110 via BetMGM)

College football betting odds pages

Here are our best college football betting sites:

• Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
• BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
• bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
• FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
• DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission

Related pages

• Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)