Welcome to our weekly Havoc Rankings, where the volatility of offenses and defenses are graded for potential wagering.
Last week, Indiana was revealed as the leader of all teams in terms of Defensive Havoc. That came to fruition in a dominant performance against Illinois on both sides of the ball.
Havoc is the collection of stats that can derail offensive momentum on the defensive side of the ball, including tackles for loss, pass breakups, forced fumbles, interceptions and sacks.
Havoc allowed, meanwhile, is a stat used to quantify an offense's ability to avoid chaos that creates a negative play. Offenses that are elite in Havoc allowed have a low number of fumbles, interceptions and tackles for loss.
Through Week 4, Indiana continues to lead in Havoc, while Washington comes through as the best FBS offense in Havoc allowed.
Let's take a look at our college football picks and Week 5 Havoc Rankings for the upcoming week.
College Football Pick, Havoc Rankings for Week 5
Marshall vs Louisiana Pick
| Marshall Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -110 | 46.5 -110o / -110u | +105 |
| Louisiana Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -110 | 46.5 -110o / -110u | -125 |
Defensive Havoc: Marshall 15th · Louisiana 133rd
Havoc Allowed: Marshall 54th · Louisiana 122nd
A former Sun Belt powerhouse has taken a steep decline in 2025, as Louisiana continues to struggle in the wake of quarterback Walker Howard having season-ending surgery on a torn oblique.
The Ragin’ Cajuns have lost all three FBS games, as quarterbacks Daniel Beale and Lunch Winfield have provided no answers for head coach Michael Desormeaux.
The offensive line has done nothing to help the backup quarterbacks, ranking 122nd in Havoc allowed for an offense that's dead last in pass efficiency. That could generate quick scores for a Marshall defense that ranks 15th in Havoc.
That dynamic exists in favor of the Thundering Herd on the other side of the ball as well, where the Cajuns defense ranks 133rd in Havoc. Marshall sits 54th in Havoc allowed and keeps improving, securing a win over Middle Tennessee while allowing just five tackles for loss.
Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson comes off a victory, tossing four touchdown passes to go along with 261 passing yards.
Marshall utilizes a run-first offense, using a heavy dose of inside zone read on 60% of offensive snaps. Louisiana has been one of the worst teams nationally in defending the run, averaging a poor 39% Success Rate against inside zone.
Action Network's betting power ratings call for Louisiana to be a one-point favorite, but until the Ragin' Cajuns resolve their Havoc and quarterback issues, there's no reason to financially back them.
Pick: Marshall +2.5 or Better
