Louisiana vs. Delaware Prediction: 68 Ventures Bowl Game Preview

Story by

Steven Lassan

Wed, Dec 17, 2025 ·

4 min read

College football’s 2025-26 postseason continues on Wednesday night with Louisiana and Delaware meeting in the 68 Ventures Bowl. Both teams finished at 6-6 in the regular season, so this game in Mobile, Ala. is a chance to finish with a winning record and the year on a high note.

The ‘25 season was a historic one for Delaware. The Fightin’ Blue Hens made a successful transition to the FBS level this fall and capped a solid debut with a win over UTEP in the season finale to get to six victories. Coach Ryan Carty’s team knocked off UConn (44-41) and won four games in Conference USA action to provide a solid foundation for this program in ‘26 and beyond.

After a 2-6 start, Louisiana ran the table in November with four straight victories to reach the postseason for the eighth consecutive year. Coach Michael Desormeaux’s squad had to overcome early injuries at quarterback but found their rhythm offensively late in the year to score 30 or more points in each of their last four wins. The team’s three losses in Sun Belt play came to the conference’s top squads - James Madison, Southern Miss, and Troy.

This is the first time Delaware and Louisiana have met on the gridiron.

68 Ventures Bowl: Louisiana vs. Delaware Odds, Details

Location:Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Ala.
Kickoff:Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET
TV:ESPN
Spread:Louisiana -3
Over/Under:61.5
Announcers:Clay Matvick, Max Browne , Alyssa Lang

Louisiana vs. Delaware: Keys to Victory

Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns head coach Michael Desormeaux.Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
(Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)

Why Louisiana Will Win

The rushing attack. Louisiana’s ground game ranks sixth in the Sun Belt in production (189.8 yards a game), powered by the one-two punch of running backs Bill Davis (743 yards) and Zylan Perry (664). Quarterback Lunch Winfield provided a spark for the offense after the team’s slow start and finished third on the team with 627 yards on the ground. That trio will be a handful against a Delaware defense that allowed 164.3 yards rushing yards per contest this season.

Winfield wasn’t overly prolific through the air (1,324 yards and 10 touchdowns). However, there will be opportunities downfield against a Delaware unit that ranked 10th in Conference USA in pass efficiency defense. If the Ragin’ Cajuns get Perry, Davis, and Winfield going on the ground, a suspect pass defense will become even more vulnerable.

Desormeaux’s defense has struggled during the ‘25 season by giving up six yards a play and 30 points a contest. However, Louisiana has thrived at getting stops in the red zone and tied for fifth in the Sun Belt in turnovers forced (18). The Ragin’ Cajuns are going to give up some yards to Delaware, but this unit has made the timely stops it needs in order to win tight games.

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Why Delaware Will Win

With Louisiana aiming to lean on its running game and shorten the contest to win, Delaware has a chance to win the style battle behind quarterback Nick Minicucci. The junior opened ‘25 as the backup but moved into the starting role after Zach Marker was injured in the opener. Over 12 games, Minicucci threw for 3,507 yards and 22 touchdowns and added 231 yards and 10 scores on the ground. With Louisiana ranked No. 99 nationally in defensive success rate against the pass, Minicucci should have an opportunity to shred this secondary.

Minicucci doesn’t lack weapons on the outside with Sean Wilson (60 catches for 796 yards), Kyre Duplessis (55 for 755), Jake Thaw (31 for 359) and Ja’Carree Kelly (31). The backfield also features a solid one-two punch with Jo Silver (536 yards) and Viron Ellison (422) poised to find room against a Louisiana defense giving up 189.1 yards a game on the ground.

Delaware’s defense is giving up 164.3 rushing yards a game, but coach Ryan Carty’s group thrives at getting into the backfield (75 tackles for a loss). Even if the Blue Hens give up some yards, a couple of timely negative plays would get Louisiana behind the sticks and into obvious passing downs.

68 Ventures BowlPrediction: Louisiana 31, Delaware 30

The contrast in styles and expectation of a high-scoring game could make this one of the more entertaining pre-Christmas bowl matchups. How Louisiana’s rushing attack fares is likely to decide how this game plays out. If the Ragin’ Cajuns control the pace of the game and keep Minicucci on the sidelines, then Desormeaux’s squad should have the edge. But if Minicucci has an effective night moving the ball through the air, and the Blue Hens jump out to an early lead, Louisiana will have trouble playing catch up on the scoreboard.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 17, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.