1) Ragin' Cajuns is unique, and powerful. One of the reasons it is powerful, is precisely because it is unique.
So why would we want to copy Florida's mascot?
2) Why was the brown pelican left off of the poll? Were you afraid of tough competition?
It's the state bird.
And consider this:
Michigan is The Wolverine State, Iowa is The Hawkeye State, Texas is The Longhorn State, Oklahoma is The Sooner State, Tennessee is The Volunteer State, North Carolina is The Tarheel State, Nebraska is The Cornhusker State, Ohio is The Buckeye State, Kansas is The Jayhawk State, Arkansas is The Razorback State.
And Louisiana is The Pelican State.