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It’s a battle of Sun Belt unbeatens – at least in conference play – as Louisiana-Lafayette (2-3) and Arkansas State (3-3) battle to try to stay in the title chase. Check out the Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Arkansas State prediction and game preview.

Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Arkansas State Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 20
Game Time: 8:00 pm
Venue: Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro, AR
Network: ESPN2

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Why Louisiana-Lafayette Will Win

The Ragin’ Cajuns have had a nasty time with mistakes and mess-ups, but Arkansas State is one of the few teams that gets flagged more. ULL gets hit for around 74 penalty yards per game, while ASU is among the biggest sinners in college football getting hit for 91 yards per outing. On the plus side, the Ragin’ Cajun running game is one of the few that can hang around with the Red Wolves, averaging close to six yards per pop with Elijah McGuire in the midst of another great season.

Why Arkansas State Will Win

The Red Wolves can stop the run, the Ragin’ Cajuns can’t. Despite facing USC, Missouri and Toledo, Arkansas State has been relatively solid against the run. There were issues against Idaho and a few big dashes, but the defensive front destroyed South Alabama last week and should camp out in the backfield. ULL is a disaster turning the ball over – going -7 on the year and giving up 11 turnovers in three games – losing all three of them.

Player Who Matters

It’s a battle of two of the nation’s best backs who aren’t getting any love. Elijah McGuire did everything for Louisiana-Lafayette last season, tearing through Arkansas State for a season-high 265 yards and four scores in the win. Arkansas State’s Michael Gordon hasn’t been quite as prolific, partly because he got knocked out of the South Alabama game early last week with an injury. He’s expected to go, and he needs to after running for 134 yards – averaging nine yards per carry – in last year’s game and cranking up 221 yards two weeks ago against Idaho.

What’s Going To Happen?

It’ll be a brilliant battle of running games. Can it be close to as good as last year’s 55-40 Louisiana-Lafayette win, one of the best games of the Sun Belt season? Maybe. The two are almost the same in style and substance, but Arkansas State will get more out of the defense at home.

Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Arkansas State Prediction

Final Score: Arkansas State 41, Louisiana-Lafayette 34, Line: Arkansas State -8.5, o/u: 63

Must See Rating: 5: Bridge of Spies – 1: Rock The Kasbah … 2