Bowl or Bust?

Really guys aren't we tired of losing. WE have got to get to a bowl this season. IF not, pretty much our whole fan base will leave us. We will be back in the gutter days of Baldwin. This year is make or break for this football program and our athletic program. After all football makes the world geaux round.
Think about it, where do we geaux after Des and Fenroy leaves us. THis year has to be the year!!!! If not we are done for a while.

That being said, this year has got to be the thoughest schedule I have seen with all the road games, but if Bustle wants to stay here, he should pull some of these off.

Geaux Louisiana!

Well you pretty much summed it up there, our schedule does not work in our favor. I hope we can some how some way get into a bowl game but I just don't see that happening. I see Bustle getting fired after this season then who knows, another 2 years under a new coach with growing pains? I hate to think that way but I have to be realistic here. my days of high expectations were dashed with the football, basketball then baseball seasons. Time to be realistic here. But I'm not gonna dog anyone for having high expectaions.

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Originally Posted by UL_Cajuns

Really guys aren't we tired of losing. WE have got to get to a bowl this season. IF not, pretty much our whole fan base will leave us.

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They are already gone.

Any chance of continuing a "building" feeling to the program and growing a fanbase went out the window with the McNeese debacle last season.

It will take a winning season and a BCS upset or two to grab people's attention again.



Now, if we aren't successful this season, and we were to change the direction of the program with a coaching change after this season, it will be real easy to get people fired up again to get back in and support the program.

Either way, I'm very confident that people will be REALLY fired up about Cajun football at this time next season.

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Originally Posted by CajunNation

Any chance of continuing a "building" feeling to the program and growing a fanbase went out the window with the McNeese debacle last season.

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Why did you have to bring that up? :/\:

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Originally Posted by CajunNation

_ The are already gone.

Any chance of continuing a "building" feeling to the program and growing a fanbase went out the window with the McNeese debacle last season.

It will take a winning season and a BCS upset or two to grab people's attention again.



Now, if we aren't successful this season, and we were to change the direction of the program with a coaching change after this season, it will be real easy to get people fired up again to get back in and support the program.

Either way, I'm very confident that people will be REALLY fired up about Cajun football at this time next season. _

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do you blame debacle on debustle?

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Originally Posted by Damon

Why did you have to bring that up? :/\:

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It is the truth and a milestone in the Cajun program. The truth is in short supply on Cajun boards. People rather argue about what helmet or uniform looks the best etc... Also they like to cry about short comings in our budget etc.. although we get beaten by those with less money.

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Originally Posted by CajunNation

The are already gone.

Any chance of continuing a "building" feeling to the program and growing a fanbase went out the window with the McNeese debacle last season.

It will take a winning season and a BCS upset or two to grab people's attention again.



Now, if we aren't successful this season, and we were to change the direction of the program with a coaching change after this season, it will be real easy to get people fired up again to get back in and support the program.

Either way, I'm very confident that people will be REALLY fired up about Cajun football at this time next season.

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I am afraid that losing to the Brokebacks killed this program. A bowl appearance will generate fan interest, but were are now in a worse state than we were with Baldwin. We are more talented at just about every position with Bustle but the fan interest is lower IMO.

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Originally Posted by RCAJUN90

_ It is the truth and a milestone in the Cajun program. The truth is in short supply on Cajun boards.

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Excuse me, the loss to McNeese and all the comments associated with it are searchable on this board.

The fact is people tend to put games behind them and only bring them up in certain situations.

For instance no one has talked much about the softball team beating the #1 team in the country since it happened. Next year and perhaps a couple times before then it will probably get a mention.

The truth is not in short supply if your favorite topic is not brought up all the time.

jmo

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Originally Posted by RCAJUN90

_ It is the truth and a milestone in the Cajun program. The truth is in short supply on Cajun boards. People rather argue about what helmet or uniform looks the best etc... Also they like to cry about short comings in our budget etc.. although we get beaten by those with less money. _

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OK Sherlock, why don't YOU tell us something we don't already KNOW then!?? :hot::hot::hot:

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Originally Posted by cajun4life

I am afraid that losing to the McNeeses killed this program. A bowl appearance will generate fan interest, but were are now in a worse state than we were with Baldwin. We are more talented at just about every position with Bustle but the fan interest is lower IMO.

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NOT A BALDWIN FAN

does Charles Tillman, Ike Taylor, Fred Stamps ring a bell

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Originally Posted by cajun4life

_ I am afraid that losing to the McNeeses killed this program. A bowl appearance will generate fan interest, but were are now in a worse state than we were with Baldwin. We are more talented at just about every position with Bustle but the fan interest is lower IMO. _

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Believe it or not, there is always a way to restart a butchered program. Fan interest is disgustingly low, but if the Admin decides they don't like being smashed on here and elsewhere by the core dedicated fans, they can go balls to the wall, take the path to success (innovative private funding), and we will see Cajun football grow to a very respectable status. It can be done. It is their choice. It will not be done any... absolutely any other way.

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Originally Posted by Turbine

Excuse me, the loss to McNeese and all the comments associated with it are searchable on this board.

The fact is people tend to put games behind them and only bring them up in certain situations.

For instance no one has talked much about the softball team beating the #1 team in the country since it happened. Next year and perhaps a couple times before then it will probably get a mention.

The truth is not in short supply if your favorite topic is not brought up all the time.

jmo

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Okay our powerhouse softball team that has yet to win a championship..... Is softball a real sport? I play it with the KC's.:)

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Originally Posted by NOCajun

OK Sherlock, why don't YOU tell us something we don't already KNOW then!?? :hot::hot::hot:

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Okay. We need a new coach and direction..~.

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Originally Posted by RCAJUN90

_ Okay our powerhouse softball team that has yet to win a championship..... Is softball a real sport? I play it with the KC's.:) _

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Just like you to talk down on the softball team you ____ing coward!!! Why don't you go ask one of them girls if it is a real sports...you won't do it because you dont have the balls to do! Let me ask you...are you a real MAN? I doubt it you ____ing waste of space. I could go on but this isn't the place but I know you wouldn't be man enough to meet any of us on this board and say the things you say. Man UP you _____!

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Originally Posted by cajuns67

NOT A BALDWIN FAN

does Charles Tillman, Ike Taylor, Fred Stamps ring a bell

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They do ring a bell since I was an athlete at the same time as they were. We did have a few stars who were better but as a team we are much improved talent wise than we were with Baldwin.

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Originally Posted by RCAJUN90

Okay our powerhouse softball team that has yet to win a championship..... Is softball a real sport? I play it with the KC's.:)

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Have we won a championship in anything? Football has always been the worst sport at UL along with WBB, We are a dominate school when it comes to Spring sports and we will continue to dominate in sports you seem to deem unworthy of praise.

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Originally Posted by Clutch0364

_ Just like you to talk down on the softball team you ____ing coward!!! Why don't you go ask one of them girls if it is a real sports...you won't do it because you dont have the balls to do! Let me ask you...are you a real MAN? I doubt it you ____ing waste of space. I could go on but this isn't the place but I know you wouldn't be man enough to meet any of us on this board and say the things you say. Man UP you _____! _

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clutch, you're scaring me. deep breaths.

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Originally Posted by Sonsissymia

_ clutch, you're scaring me. deep breaths. _

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I slowed down and counted to 3 now I am alright :)

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Originally Posted by cajun4life

I am afraid that losing to the McNeeses killed this program. A bowl appearance will generate fan interest, but were are now in a worse state than we were with Baldwin. We are more talented at just about every position with Bustle but the fan interest is lower IMO.

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I disagree with that statement. We have a very disappointed, even disgusted, fanbase right now, but we do have a fanbase (small as it may be). At the end of the Baldwin era, we had virtually NO fanbase, disgruntled or otherwise. The disappointment has been particularly sharp because of the build-up in anticipation brought on by a number of small improvements during the Bustle tenure. Like many, I like Bustle and hopes he can get it done very soon. I believe his time is rapidly running out if he doesn't. Another poor season and I will be ready for a change like most Cajun fans.

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Originally Posted by ULtimateCajun

_ Well you pretty much summed it up there, our schedule does not work in our favor. I hope we can some how some way get into a bowl game but I just don't see that happening. I see Bustle getting fired after this season then who knows, another 2 years under a new coach with growing pains? I hate to think that way but I have to be realistic here. my days of high expectations were dashed with the football, basketball then baseball seasons. Time to be realistic here. But I'm not gonna dog anyone for having high expectaions. _

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Mens basketball shared the Western Crown with the third youngest team in D1a out of over 300! Football and baseball on the other hand were very disappointing but were somewhat young also. You are right though Football drives it and MUST get it done this year to kick off the very much needed turn around. Starting JULY 1st think diffierent, backt these programs different, and watch for the much needed changes to become reality!

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Originally Posted by cajun4life

_ They do ring a bell since I was an athlete at the same time as they were. We did have a few stars who were better but as a team we are much improved talent wise than we were with Baldwin. _

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baldwin was a better recruiter for pure talent and was a horrible coach. bustle is a better coach and recruits better student athletes.

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Originally Posted by crazycajun

_ baldwin was a better recruiter for pure talent and was a horrible coach. bustle is a better coach and recruits better student athletes. _

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This comment is right on imo. There can be no question that Baldwin recruited better players. Just check the NFL for Baldwin players vs. Bustle players.

I know Baldwin sucked, please don't crucify me, but the talent level on Bustle's teams have suffered due to him not taking many chances on players of questionable character/grades. I realize this is noble and good for our program, but unfortunately it means we miss out on some truly exceptional NFL caliber talent, and then we lose more games.

At this point, I think we could afford to take a few more chances!

Because let's be honest... Was Mcneese less talented than us? I don't think that game was a fluke, but rather a sad reminder of where we stand in football.

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Originally Posted by CajunZ1

_ This comment is right on imo. There can be no question that Baldwin recruited better players. Just check the NFL for Baldwin players vs. Bustle players.

I know Baldwin sucked, please don't crucify me, but the talent level on Bustle's teams have suffered due to him not taking many chances on players of questionable character/grades. I realize this is noble and good for our program, but unfortunately it means we miss out on some truly exceptional NFL caliber talent, and then we lose more games.

At this point, I think we could afford to take a few more chances!

Because let's be honest... Was Mcneese less talented than us? I don't think that game was a fluke, but rather a sad reminder of where we stand in football. _

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If we had played in the Southland over the last 10 years we would be considered a good D1AA program. Nothing more. Right now we enjoy head to head recruiting advantages over Southland teams, but they make up for it by taking BCS transfers and more props. At the end of the day our rosters are very similar.

I hate to compare us the BCS schools (after all they are in our division), but until we have lineman that don't give away 50+ pounds we will continue to be road kill.

One last thought on size. It is not the be all and end all, but it allows a coach flexiblity in the game plan. I remember a game during Jakes Jr. year against ASU. We had a good O line and a big back (Cotton). Stokely recognized we had a size advantage and proceded to ram the ball down their throat. We absolutely destroyed them up front. Jake barely threw a pass. That was the last year I saw a Cajun team dominate the line of scrimage on a consistent basis. Until be win in the trenches we will continue to be a 3-6 win team. ::x::

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Originally Posted by MetryCajun

That was the last year I saw a Cajun team dominate the line of scrimage on a consistent basis. Until be win in the trenches we will continue to be a 3-6 win team. ::x::

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All do respect MetryCajun, IMO you are way off. Over the last four years the one consistent thing this Cajun team has done is win in the trenches. You don't rank in the top tier of rushing because of luck and missed tackles, you do it with great O-linemen. IMO that has been our bread and butter.

GEAUX CAJUNS

My earlier comment about bringing up the McNeese was about re-opening the wound, not about burying facts. Take it easy, Jethro.

1st or 2nd place in the 'Belt with an over .500 record is the only way I don't call for Bustle's "resignation."