Bowl Mania: New Orleans Bowl
New Orleans Bowl
When: Saturday, December 16th @ 2:15 PM ET
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Who: Louisiana (6-6) vs. Jacksonville State (8-4)
Spread & Total: Jacksonville State -2.5; O/U 58.5
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Tale of the Take: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
A whirlwind of a season for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. They started the season with veteran quarterback Ben Woolridge, but that lasted just two games. Backup Zeon Chriss managed the ship, going 4-3 in his next three starts. Then, he was lost for the season against Arkansas State. The now third-string quarterback Chandler Fields took over the offense, going 1-2 in the last three weeks. Thankfully, that one win secured a bowl berth for Louisiana. The Ragin’ Cajuns went 2-5 against bowl eligible teams this season.
Offensively, the strength of Louisiana’s offense is on the ground. However, a good portion of that comes from Chriss and backup Dre’lyn Washington. Washington is questionable for this bowl game. Jacob Kibodi will lead the charge (729 yards, seven touchdowns), but should expect a rotating cast of backs in the mix. Fields looks to be a viable option as a third-stringer. No one on Louisiana has eclipsed 40 receptions or 500 receiving yards this season.
Defensively, teams try to run Louisiana frequently. They saw 502 rush attempts this year, 41.8 attempts per contest. That is the 4th-most on a per-game basis nationally. Teams average 29.3 pass attempts per game against Louisiana, and throw a touchdown on 6% of their attempts.
Opt Outs: N/A
Injuries:
QB Ben Woolridge
(Began the season as the starter; was knocked out of the UAB game on September 16th and was ruled out for the season)
QB Zeon Chriss
(Replaced Woolridge after the UAB game, left during the Arkansas State game on November 4th and has not returned)
RB Dre’lyn Washington
(Team’s third leading rusher; questionable for the game)
C Landon Burton
(Starting center; questionable for the game)
S Courtline Flowers
Transfer Portal Departures:
LB Kendre Gant
(Six sacks the third most on the team; three forced fumbles is tied for the most on the team (three recoveries, returned one for touchdown))
S Cejae Ceasar
Players to Know:
#18 QB Chandler Fields
3rd-string QB; 5th-year junior started six games last year. In three starts after Chriss’s injury, completed 73.2% of his pass attempts for 788 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception
#8 LB K.C. Ossai
2023 All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention. Led the team with 77 tackles (41 solo). Forced two fumbles, recovering one
Tale of the Tape: Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Jacksonville State is one of two teams that made their FBS debut in 2023, and the Gamecocks hit the ground running. Unlike Sam Houston State, Jacksonville State capped off an eight-win season. While they had success, due to FBS rules, new FBS teams are ineligible for bowl eligibility for the first few years. Thankfully, due to an outcry by the public and not enough six-win teams, Jacksonville State and James Madison were exceptions to the rule, and became bowl eligible. Jacksonville State went 2-3 against bowl eligible teams this year.
Offensively, Jacksonville State moves via the ground game. They average the 4th-most attempts per game (47.8) and the 32 rushing touchdowns are tied for the 8th-most in FBS. The Gamecocks average just 26.3 attempts per game, the 114th most in FBS. Zion Webb, the starter for Jacksonville State, averages just 17.6 attempts per game, but 25.6 over his last five.
Defensively, the Gamecocks are strong at stopping the run. They allowed just one 100-yard rusher all season – Quinton Cooley of Liberty. While Jacksonville State is susceptible against the pass, they force pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Jacksonville State is 10th in sacks per game at three, respectively. Opposing quarterbacks average 59.2% completion percentage, while throwing 16 interceptions in their 12 games (3.96% interception rate). Jacksonville State allows just 2.8 yards per carry to opponents, the 4th-best mark in the country. Opponents run on Jacksonville State, on average, 40.4 times per game, tied for the 11th-most nationally.
Opt Outs: N/A
Injuries:
EDGE Jaylen “J-Rock” Swain
All Conference-USA Honorable Mention; four sacks ranks second most on the team. Forced a fumble, recovered two
CB Jabari Mack
Three pass breakups, one interception
Transfer Portal Departures:
K Allen Karajic
14-20 on FGA this year; four of six misses were beyond 40 yards. 97.7% (42/43) on XPA.
Player to Know:
#10 QB Zion Webb
Three-year starter. Second leading rusher on the team (116 attempts, 638 yards, seven touchdowns). 15.2 rush attempts in last five games (449 yards (5.9 YPA), six touchdowns)
#5 RB Malik Jackson
All-Conference USA First Team. Leads the team with 133 carries, 860 yards, and seven touchdowns. Has not had double-digit carries in the last five games (7 attempts per game). 16.3 attempts per game in the first six.
#91 DE Chris Hardie
All-Conference USA First Team. 8.5 sacks this year led the team; 14 sacks over the last two years for the junior.
Bowl Game Trends:
- Jacksonville State: First bowl game as a FBS program
- Rich Rodriguez: 5-6 in bowl games
- Louisiana: 5-1 in the Louisiana Bowl
- Louisiana teams in the Louisiana Bowl: 5-2 against non-Louisiana teams
Game Synopsis:
Unlike other teams who will ride with their third-string quarterback, Louisiana’s Chandler Fields at least has experience (299 attempts the last two seasons). But for a team that focuses on the ground attack, they will be without key options in the offense. Louisiana will likely have to rely on Fields put up points against a strong Jacksonville State defense.
The Gamecocks’ strength happens to be Louisiana’s weakness: Jacksonville State loves the ground game. Over half of their scoring has come from rushing touchdowns (53.6%). I think this overmatches the Louisiana defense, and ultimately leads to a Jacksonville State win. The Gamecocks earn their first bowl victory by beating Louisiana in the Louisiana Bowl.
Bowl Mania Pick To Win: Jacksonville State
Bowl Mania Confidence: 6/43
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