Louisiana-Lafayette projected to pull away late from Coastal Carolina

Versus projects Louisiana-Lafayette to win 31-19, a 12-point margin that lines up with a 76 percent win probability for the Ragin' Cajuns. That gap reflects a real split in the Sun Belt standings: Louisiana-Lafayette sits 66th in FBS, 49 spots ahead of Coastal Carolina at 115th, and carries a B- overall grade against the Chanticleers' D+.

Louisiana-Lafayette's case is built at home, where the Ragin' Cajuns have won seven straight games dating back to November 2025. Their C defense ranks 73rd in FBS and the offense 81st, modest numbers but enough given Coastal Carolina's offense ranks 107th and defense 101st, with a strength of schedule rank of 112th that is among the softest in the division.

Coastal Carolina does have one thing working in its favor: no opponent has beaten the Chanticleers by more than 17 points this season, and a 12-point projected margin would keep that streak intact even in a loss. This is a Sun Belt game that counts in the conference standings, and the two sides are even at 2-2 in four meetings since 2018, with Louisiana-Lafayette taking the most recent matchup 34-24 in October 2024.