In the second game of the 2023 college football bowl season, the 8-4 Jacksonville State Gamecocks of Conference USA take a trip to New Orleans to take on the Sun Belt’s 6-6 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.
Who emerges victorious? Ahead of the game, we’ve got the latest college football betting odds, DFS picks, and a New Orleans Bowl prediction.
New Orleans Bowl Betting and DFS Preview
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and correct as of Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. Want to take advantage of the New Orleans Bowl odds? Visit the College Football Network live college football odds page to place bets in your state.
- Spread
Jacksonville State -3 - Moneyline
Jacksonville State -148, Louisiana +124 - Over/Under
60 points - Game time
2:15 p.m. ET - Location
Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA - Predicted Weather at Kick
Game is indoors - How to Watch
ESPN, FuboTV
Have the Gamecocks got your gambling attention? Has Louisiana got you feeling lucky on a Saturday night? If you’re going to take advantage of the New Orleans Bowl odds, consider some of the following factors before you part with your hard-earned cash.
These two teams last met in 2000, when the then-FCS Gamecocks won 28-14. 23 years later, they’re thrust together in the New Orleans Bowl, with Jacksonville State having earned their place in the postseason despite ludicrous NCAA regulations ordinarily prohibiting them. Their successful transition to the FBS sees them enter the game as a justified favorite to get the win.
Other Bowl Game Predictions: Cure | New Mexico | LA | Independence
Can they cover the three-point spread, however? Our New Orleans Bowl prediction suggests that they can, and betting trends appear to concur. Jacksonville State is 8-4 covering the spread this season, despite losing as a small favorite last time out. Louisiana has covered in their last two, but is just 5-7 against the spread for the 2023 college season as a whole.
Combining for an average of 62 points this year, it’s easy to see why the total points line is set at 60 for the New Orleans Bowl. Yet, the strength of this Jacksonville State team truly rests with their defense. That could help keep the final score under the points line. Of all the New Orleans Bowl odds, however, the over/under prediction carries the least confidence.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
Jacksonville State Depth Chart | Louisiana Depth Chart
- QB Zion Webb, Jacksonville State
- QB Logan Smothers, Jacksonville State
- QB Chandler Fields, Louisiana
- RB Anwar Lewis, Jacksonville State
- RB Ron Wiggins, Jacksonville State
- RB Malik Jackson, Jacksonville State
- RB Jacob Kibodi, Louisiana
- RB Dre’lyn Washington, Louisiana
- RB Zylan Perry, Louisiana
- WR Perry Carter, Jacksonville State
- WR Quinton Lane, Jacksonville State
- WR PJ Wells, Jacksonville State
- WR Jacob Bernard, Louisiana
- WR Peter LeBlanc, Louisiana
- WR Robert Williams, Louisiana
- TE Sean Brown, Jacksonville State
- TE Neal Johnson, Louisiana
- TE Terrence Carter, Louisiana
There are six college football games on Saturday to compile your DFS team from. If you’re new to DFS, Fanduel Superflex contests require you to select a quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, and a “Superflex” that can be any of the above or a tight end.
Your New Orleans Bowl picks should start nowhere else, but the man who puts the Jackson into Jacksonville State, and that’s running back Malik Jackson. After something of a mid-season lull, the beating heart of the Gamecocks offense has been back on form in the last two games, tallying over 200 yards and three scores. He’s the highest-scoring fantasy asset in this game.
MORE: Top Jacksonville State and Louisiana Players Not Playing in the New Orleans Bowl
While Jacob Kibodi leads all available Ragin’ Cajuns in rushing touchdowns and fantasy points (128.8 points), is another Louisiana running back to consider in the New Orleans Bowl. Elijah Davis is off hot a 109-yard, two-touchdown outing against Louisiana-Monroe and could feature heavily. That said, the Gamecocks’ run defense might limit his fantasy output.
It isn’t a banner matchup for wide receivers, especially in the context of the full slate of six bowl games. However, in his previous two outings, Jacksonville State’s Perry Carter has two 100+ yard games. Meanwhile, Louisiana tight end Neal Johnson has averaged a touchdown in every game since Chandler Fields took over at quarterback for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Prediction for the New Orleans Bowl
Okay, so we’ve furnished you with the New Orleans Bowl odds and some DFS picks. Now, it’s time to close this thing out with our prediction.
Will the Gamecocks end their first season in the FBS with a famous bowl win, putting a cap on a remarkable season? Or will Louisiana add a sixth New Orleans Bowl win to the program record book, celebrating the second anniversary of head coach Michael Desormeaux’s first win in charge in style?
Despite a rollercoaster of a campaign at the quarterback position, with Zeon Chriss suffering a season-ending injury down the stretch, Louisiana has had one of the best offenses in the Sun Belt. The Ragin’ Cajuns averaged 32.3 points per game in 2023, bolstered by a rushing attack that averaged 182.67 yards a game while leading the conference at 5.05 yards per carry.
Fields can dial up some deep shots in the passing game, adding some variety to the offense, but their primary success comes from running the rock, which is where they might run into difficulty in the New Orleans Bowl.
Jacksonville State has allowed just 2.80 rushing yards per carry this year, ranking fourth in the nation. They’ve also allowed just 13 rushing touchdowns through their debut campaign in the FBS. They’re not just a one-trick pony defensively either, with Chris Hardie and J-Rock Swain a dangerous duo who thrive on getting into the backfield and impacting the passing game.
While the Gamecocks defense gives them the edge in this game, it’s worth noting that Louisiana will be without tackle-for-loss leader Kendre’ Gant, which will be music to the ears of dual-threat quarterback Zion Webb and his supporting cast of talented running backs.
Jacksonville State hands Louisiana only their second-ever loss in the New Orleans Bowl with a historic win.
Prediction: Jacksonville State 28, Louisiana 24