The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (6-6) and Delaware Blue Hens (6-6) cap their inaugural FBS seasons in the 68 Ventures Bowl, a matchup of Sun Belt survivors against CUSA newcomers hungry for validation. Louisiana, under coach Michael Desormeaux, rides a four-game win streak into their seventh straight bowl, boasting a stout run defense (3.2 YPC allowed) but vulnerable secondary (220 pass YPG surrendered). Delaware, led by Ryan Carty in year one of FBS transition, counters with balanced scoring (29.8 PPG) but grapples with QB instability post-injuries. This first-ever clash favors the Cajuns’ experience on neutral turf, though the Hens’ resilience in close games (4-2 in one-score tilts) could spark an upset. Expect a defensive slugfest turning into a field-position battle, with special teams (Louisiana’s 42.1-yard punt avg. vs. Delaware’s 39.8) deciding it late.
Kickoff is at 8:30 p.m. ET from Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama (capacity 40,646; opened 2012 as Ladd-Peebles Stadium, renovated 2020). The coastal venue, 150 miles from Lafayette and 800 from Newark, draws a pro-Cajuns crowd (Sun Belt affinity) but Delaware’s FCS pedigree adds underdog buzz.
Broadcast: ESPN (national); streaming on ESPN+ and Fubo.
Weather Forecast
Mobile’s Gulf Coast forecast for game night: Mostly cloudy with temperatures at 55°F at kickoff, cooling to 48°F by the fourth quarter. Winds ESE at 4-6 mph, humidity 72%, and a 55% chance of light showers (0.1-0.2 inches)—slight slip risk on the grass field but no delays likely. Dress in layers; humidity may feel muggy early.
Team Records and Standings
Identical marks belie stylistic edges: Louisiana’s ground control (189.5 rush YPG) vs. Delaware’s pass efficiency (302.2 pass YPG). Cajuns rank 4th in Sun Belt defense; Hens 7th in CUSA scoring.
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record | Sun Belt/CUSA Rank | ATS Record | O/U Record |
| Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns | 6-6 | 5-3 (West) | 4th West | 7-5 | 5-7 |
| Delaware Blue Hens | 6-6 | 4-4 | 7th | 6-6 | 6-6 |
Recent Team Forms
Louisiana ends strong with defensive stands (held foes under 20 in 3/4 wins); Delaware falters in crunch time (0-3 in losses by 7 or less) but excels in shootouts (44 PPG in wins).
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (Louisiana) |
| Nov. 29 | vs. South Alabama | W 31-20 | 389 total yds, 1 TO, 55% 3rd down |
| Nov. 22 | @ Texas State | W 28-24 | 412 total yds, 2 sacks, 50% red zone |
| Nov. 15 | vs. Troy | W 35-27 | 478 total yds, 2 INTs, 60% conv. |
| Nov. 8 | @ ULM | W 24-17 | 342 total yds, 1 TO, OT thriller |
| Nov. 1 | vs. Marshall | L 20-31 | 285 total yds, 3 TOs, 33% 3rd down |
- Form Summary: 4-1. Averaging 29.6 PPG scored/23.8 allowed. Four-game streak features run D (98 rush yds allowed/gm); passing steady at 58% comp.
Delaware Blue Hens Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (Delaware) |
| Nov. 29 | vs. WKU | L 27-24 | 360 total yds, 1 TO, 44% conv. |
| Nov. 22 | @ FIU | W 38-16 | 512 total yds, 4 TDs pass, 67% red |
| Nov. 15 | vs. UConn | W 44-41 OT | 421 total yds, 3 TOs forced, 60% 3rd |
| Nov. 8 | @ Liberty | L 31-28 | 389 total yds, 2 INTs, 55% conv. |
| Nov. 1 | vs. MTSU | W 31-28 | 456 total yds, 1 INT, 67% red zone |
- Form Summary: 3-2. Averaging 28.2 PPG scored/27.4 allowed. Wins highlight passing (302 YPG), but losses expose run D (4.2 YPC allowed).
Conference vs. Conference: Sun Belt vs. CUSA
Sun Belt leads all-time (25-18 overall, 58.1% win rate vs. CUSA), averaging 28.4-24.7 scores. In bowls, Sun Belt holds 12-8 (60%) since 2015, with overs in 52% (avg. total 53.1 points). CUSA’s transition teams (like Delaware) struggle initially (3-7 in FBS bowls), but Sun Belt’s parity favors favorites like Louisiana (5-3 ATS in conf matchups).
Injury Report
Injuries target skill positions: Louisiana’s secondary bends without depth, while Delaware’s backfield thins post-QB loss. Opt-outs loom for both (e.g., Louisiana’s WRs to portal).
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury/Notes |
| Tyree Skipper (DB) | Available | Reinstated (suspension; 2 INTs) |
| Maurion Eleam (S) | Out | Undisclosed (since Sep.; carted off) |
| Bill Davis (RB) | Questionable | Lower body (limited snaps Nov.) |
| Shelton Sampson Jr. (WR) | Questionable | Undisclosed (missed 1 game) |
Delaware Blue Hens Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury/Notes |
| Zach Marker (QB) | Out | Leg (season-ending, Oct.) |
| J. Cupitt (P) | Out | Undisclosed (season-ending, Oct.) |
| Calvin Thomas (WR) | Questionable | Undisclosed (since Nov. 30) |
| Connor Witthoft (TE) | Questionable | Undisclosed (since Nov. 30) |
| Oliver Redd (RB) | Questionable | Undisclosed (since Nov. 30) |
Key Player Matchups
Neutral site spotlights stars: Louisiana’s physicality vs. Delaware’s speed in open field.
- Ben Wooldridge (LA QB, 2,415 pass yds, 18 TD) vs. Delaware Secondary (led by Calvin Thomas, Q): Wooldridge’s efficiency (62% comp.) tests a unit yielding 220 pass yds/gm; Thomas’ coverage (2 INT) crucial if active. Edge: Wooldridge—projected 240+ yds.
- Jacob Kibodi (DEL RB, 739 rush yds, 6 TD) vs. Louisiana Front (Maurion Eleam out): Kibodi’s burst (5.0 YPC) exploits gaps without Eleam; Cajuns allow 3.2 YPC. Edge: Kibodi—over 85 rush yds.
- Jake Thaw (DEL WR, 85 rec yds high) vs. LA CBs: Thaw’s routes (14.2 YPC) vs. Skipper’s reinstatement; deep threat shines. Edge: Thaw—over 65 rec yds.
- Nick Minicucci (DEL QB, 1,324 pass yds, 10 TD) vs. LA Pass Rush: Minicucci’s dual-threat (44 rush yds high) vs. Cajuns’ 28 sacks; low TOs key. Edge: Even—Minicucci’s 67.6% comp. balances.
Bonus Watch: Louisiana’s Bill Davis (RB, Q; 58 rush high) grinds if active vs. Delaware’s run D.
Series History
First-ever meeting—no prior clashes across any sport (per Delaware athletics). Neutral-site debut adds unpredictability; avg. G5 vs. transition FBS bowl score 27.8-24.2. Hypothetical trends: Sun Belt 5-3 vs. CUSA newcomers.
Head-to-Head Meetings: N/A (0-0).
- Trend: N/A. Bowls for programs: Louisiana 3-3 SU/ATS (50%); Delaware 0-0 (FBS debut).
Betting Trends
- Louisiana: 7-5 ATS (58.3%); 4-2 ATS as fave (66.7%). 5-7 O/U; unders in 4/6 road/neutral. 3-3 ATS in bowls.
- Delaware: 6-6 ATS (50%); 3-3 ATS as dog (50%). 6-6 O/U; overs in 5/7 CUSA games. 0-0 ATS in FBS bowls.
- Head-to-Head: N/A (first meeting).
- Public/Sharp: 60% bets on Louisiana ML (58% handle); sharps on Delaware +3 (56% handle). Bowl unders hit 52% for Sun Belt teams.
Historical Betting Results
As the inaugural matchup, no direct history. Sun Belt vs. CUSA bowls: Sun Belt 12-8 ATS (60%), avg. total 53.1 (under 52%). Louisiana 3-3 ATS in bowls (50%); Delaware N/A (FBS debut). Last 10 neutral G5 vs. transition: 6-4 O/U (60% over).
Game Odds
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns – 3
Delaware Blue Hens 62
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Tuesday, December 16, 2025
