The 68 Ventures Bowl between the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens and the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns is a matchup of 6-6 squads looking to end their seasons on a high note. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, with Delaware listed as +2 underdogs at (-110) odds. While Louisiana enters as slight favorites, there's strong value in backing the Blue Hens to cover, thanks to their explosive passing attack, resilience in their FBS transition year, and Louisiana's vulnerabilities against the pass. Let's break down why Delaware keeps this game close—or even pulls off the upset.

Delaware's 2025 campaign marked their inaugural FBS season in Conference USA, where they finished 4-4 in league play and secured bowl eligibility with a dominant 61-31 rout of UTEP in the finale. Head coach Ryan Carty's squad averaged 29.8 points per game, leading CUSA in scoring offense. This firepower stems from quarterback Nick Minicucci, who threw for over 3,500 yards on 482 attempts, posting a 22:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio while adding 10 rushing scores on 106 carries. Minicucci's dual-threat ability shone in key wins, like against Western Kentucky (312 passing yards, TD) and Liberty, where he engineered comebacks with precise downfield throws. He is good enough to hit the transfer portal and play somewhere better next season, and I’m sure he wants to put another dominant performance on tape to end the season on a strong note.

Supporting Minicucci is a deep receiving corps, even amid some injuries. Wideouts like Kader Duplessis and Sean Wilson provided big-play threats, helping Delaware average over 300 passing yards per contest. Duplessis’ yards-after-catch ability was crucial in their 4-2 November stretch, stretching defenses thin. Despite a few opt-outs and injuries, Delaware's core offense remains intact, with Minicucci healthy and motivated for their first-ever bowl appearance.

Louisiana, meanwhile, clawed back from a 2-6 start to win their final four games, finishing 5-3 in the Sun Belt. Their resurgence relied on a ground-and-pound attack, with RBs Bill Davis (148 carries, 5.0 YPC) and Zylan Perry (5.2 YPC) powering the offense. QB Lunch Winfield stabilized the passing game late, but the Cajuns' aerial options are limited—WR Shelton Sampson Jr. led with just 29 catches, and no other receiver topped 286 yards. 

Betting trends favor Delaware here. Louisiana is 0-2 ATS as 3+ point favorites this season, and struggled early against pass-heavy teams like Missouri (allowing 300+ yards) and Eastern Michigan. The Cajuns' lone notable opt-out is OT Bryant Williams (transfer portal), potentially weakening protection for Winfield.

Expect Delaware to control tempo with Minicucci's arm, exploiting Louisiana's 112th-ranked pass defense (allowing 248 YPG). The sportsbooks are projecting a high-scoring affair with the total sitting at o/u 61.5, but Delaware's late-season surge—scoring 30+ in four of six—keeps them within striking distance. In a low-level bowl game, motivation tilts to the Blue Hens, hungry for a statement win in their first ever FBS postseason game. My prediction? Delaware wins 31, Louisiana 30 in a high-scoring shootout. Take Delaware on the spread to cover in their first ever bowl game; I’ll meet you at the cash counter.