Bruce Brown
LAFAYETTE - Well, that's it.
The margin for error is down to zero for UL's Ragin' Cajuns to win the Sun Belt Conference and host the New Orleans Bowl Dec. 17 in the Superdome.
Last Saturday's 31-28 loss at New Mexico State removed any cushion coach Rickey Bustle had in his first year in a league. North Texas and Middle Tennessee shared the crown in 2001 with 5-1 records, and that's a likely mark again for the champion.
"The Sun Belt champion will have one loss," Bustle said on Monday. "We've lost, so all we can control is the games we have left. Two (losses), and you're out of it."
One factor in the Cajuns' favor is the league's balance. Arkansas State leads the way at 2-0, but at 4-4 is not overwhelming. New Mexico State is 1-0, UL Monroe is 1-1, UL Lafayette, Middle Tennessee and Idaho are all 0-1 and North Texas has yet to begin SBC play.
The 1-5, 0-1 Cajuns visit Middle Tennessee (also 1-5) on Saturday, and both squads will aim to get back on track in that 11 a.m. game (televised locally on KLAF, Cable 17).
"Middle was disappointed a few weeks ago (losing 24-14 to Southeast Missouri and 13-7 to Arkansas State), but they got over it and beat a good Vanderbilt team last Saturday," Bustle said.
The Blue Raiders' 21-20 win at Vanderbilt featured 144 yards on 20 carries by Rashard Lee, who has taken over the running burden while Dwone Hicks (10-42 last week) nurses injuries. Hicks scored the game-winning touchdown from two yards out in the final minute of play.
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