We Asked A.I. Who Would Win – Ragin’ Cajuns vs Marshall

(KMDL-FM) Over the past four weeks, we have been running an experiment using artificial intelligence and its ability to project, forecast, and predict the outcome of football games played by the University of Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns.

The purpose of the experiment has been two-fold. The first conclusion we hope to reach is this: "How accurate can A.I. be in the prediction of live sporting events. Perhaps if science becomes more intuitive, it could make gambling on sports obsolete.

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The second application we hope to prove or disprove is that if we give A.I. enough information over a larger sample size, will it become more accurate in making its prediction of these Ragin' Cajun football games?  I would have to say in that regard, the experiment has not been progressing.

How Accurate is Artificial Intelligence in Predicting College Football Games?

In my scorecard for the four games, we have asked A.I. to look into it, and it has been pretty close in one game. Another game, it was a respectable miss, but in the other two contests, the program totally whiffed on its projection of the game versus the actual outcome of the game.

Taking all that into consideration, we asked the "robots" to tell us what they think will happen on Saturday night in Lafayette when the Thundering Herd of Marshall comes to town to take on the Cajuns. This is a rematch of the Sun Belt championship game from last season.

But major changes have happened in both programs and the Cajuns, especially, have been bitten by the injury bug. Are you ready to see the future? Let's get out to our Lady of Lourdes Stadium for the action.

Pregame Notes UL Ragin' Cajuns vs Marshall:

The Cajuns have substantial injuries to deal with, including playing a backup quarterback, and from what we understand, the Offensive line is about as banged up as it can get. Safety Maurion Elam was carted off the field during the Missouri game, and his absence will be hard for the Cajuns to overcome.

Marshall comes into the game with more stability, and the "robots" are giving the Thundering Herd a slight edge in their view of how the game will unfold. Las Vegas is leaning slightly in favor of the Herd as well. The point spreads we've seen for the game suggest Marshal is a 1.5-point favorite over the Cajuns.

First Quarter Ragin' Cajuns vs Marshall:

Ragin' Cajun signal caller Daniel Beale, coming off his best game in a Louisiana uniform versus Eastern Michigan, leads the home team to an opening drive score. Beale and the Cajuns push the ball into the Red Zone, where the drive stalls and the Cajuns settle for three points on a field goal.

Marshall counters in their opening possession. They move the ball efficiently, but the drive stalls just outside the Red Zone. Unfortunately, on a key third down, the Cajuns are called for a roughing the passer penalty, which gives the Marshall offense new life. They make the Cajuns pay with a 35-yard scoring pass for a touchdown.

The score at the end of the First Quarter: Marshall 7 - Louisiana 3

Second Quarter Ragin' Cajuns vs Marshall:

Marshall uses momentum from the first quarter to keep adding to their lead. The Herd connects on a 25-yard screen pass and then tacks on another field goal. The Cajun Offense responds with an 18-yard pass on a crossing route to set up a designed quarterback run, which breaks into the end zone for a Cajun touchdown. The P.A.T. is no good.

The score at Halftime: Marshall 17 - Louisiana 9

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Third Quarter Ragin' Cajuns vs Marshall:

Louisiana manages to add a field goal on its opening drive of the third quarter. The Cajuns' defense forces a Marshall punt on their first possession of the second half. Unfortunately for Cajun fans, here is where the wheels start to come off the wagon.

The injuries in the Cajun O-line allow for a massive sack on Beale; he fumbles the ball, and Marshall recovers. The Herd converts the turnover into a touchdown. On the ensuing drive for the Cajuns, defensive pressure in the backfield results in an errant throw from Beale. The pass is picked off. Marshall scores on the first play from scrimmage following the turnover.

The score at the end of the 3rd Quarter:  Marshall 24 - Louisiana 12

Fourth Quarter Ragin' Cajuns vs Marshall:

Despite the setbacks, the Cajuns are not discouraged and continue to play hard. In the opening drive of the fourth quarter, the Cajun offense, sparked by some incredible individual effort on the part of Daniel Beale, added a touchdown.

Marshall responds to the Cajuns' score and thwarts a Ragin' Cajun comeback by going on a nine-play, time-consuming drive that is capped off with a quarterback sneak into the endzone for a touchdown.

In the ensuing series for the Cajuns, Beale is sacked, the Cajuns punt, and Marshall runs out the clock.

Final Score:  Marshall 31 - Louisiana 19 [Artificial Intelligence Prediction]

The robots of A.I. have spoken. So far, when they've spoken, they haven't been exactly correct, so for the sake of Cajun fans, I hope they are wrong on this one, too. But more importantly, we'd love to have you out at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium on Saturday night for tailgating and football. The weather should be great, the crowd jovial, and the football very entertaining.