Louisiana vs Charlotte Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 26, 2026
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns visit the Charlotte 49ers on Saturday, September 26, at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 6:30 PM ET on ESPN+. The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns are 2-1 overall and have not yet opened play in the Sun Belt after beating UAB 21-14. The Charlotte 49ers are 0-3 overall and have not opened their schedule in the American Conference after a 26-21 loss at Appalachian State. See the matchup breakdown with our free NCAAF picks.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Preview
Louisiana is averaging 29.7 points through three games, with a strong rushing attack leading the offense. The Ragin' Cajuns have rushed for 614 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 204.7 yards per game and 5.0 yards per carry. Lunch Winfield leads the team with 267 rushing yards and five touchdowns while also completing 73% of his passes for 511 yards. Jayden Reed has 146 receiving yards, while Russell Babineaux has added 115.
Louisiana has allowed 70 points through three games, with 49 coming in the loss at USC. The Ragin' Cajuns have recorded six sacks, five interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Conor McPherson leads the defense with 25 tackles and has added half a sack. Collin Jacob has 23 tackles and an interception, while Jake St. Andre has 17 tackles and an interception. Avery Demery has also contributed an interception and one sack.
Injuries: WR Landon Strother (shoulder), WR Trenton Chaney (shoulder) and WR S. Sampson Jr. (knee) are questionable.
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Charlotte 49ers Preview
Charlotte is averaging 23.7 points through its 0-3 start. Cole Gonzales has completed 64 of 97 passes for 661 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions. The 49ers have averaged 237.3 passing yards and 131.7 rushing yards per game. Khamani Alexander leads the ground attack with 168 yards and three touchdowns, while Chance Williams has 116 yards. Jaden Barnes has a team-high 21 receptions for 207 yards, and Jaylen Hampton has 192 receiving yards with two touchdowns.
The 49ers have allowed 110 points, including 43 against The Citadel and 41 at Ole Miss. Charlotte has recorded only three sacks and two interceptions through three games. Collin Gill leads the defense with 23 tackles, one sack and an interception returned for a touchdown. Gavin Willis has 19 tackles, while Kadin Schmitz has 18. The 49ers have recovered one fumble but have not recorded a forced fumble in the supplied defensive totals.
Injuries: No injuries to report.
Louisiana vs Charlotte Prediction
Louisiana enters with the stronger rushing attack and a defense that has created more pressure and turnovers. The Ragin' Cajuns average 5.0 yards per carry, while Winfield gives the offense another rushing option with 267 yards and five touchdowns. Charlotte has allowed 36.7 points per game, and Gonzales has thrown five interceptions, which creates a difficult matchup against a Louisiana defense with five picks. Charlotte can move the ball through the air, but Louisiana’s ground game will control enough possessions to produce a road win and cover the 10.5-point spread. Final Score Prediction: Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns win, 34-20.
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Best Picks
- Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns -10.5
- Over 49.5
