2007 FB out of Conference game you most want to win

[rhineaux]

Compared to the 2006 OOC schedule, the 2007 schedule is really disappointing.


Again, the goal has to be 3-2. It gives the team confidence, gets people talking, which generates interest. Plus, it gets Cajuns closer to 7-5 or 8-4, which is the number of wins they'll need to get an at large bid to a bowl game.

I am not sure that I agree or disagree. mostly because you say 07's schedule is disappointing, but then say the games are good. We will get our two money games. I know that the UT game will pay out at least 750k (although I am pretty sure its 800k). And no doubt that we are gonna get right at SC as well.

But, I think that the rest of the ooc schedule is pretty good. We only played NCAT last year because of the Ohio game being cancelled. We tried to get MCNeese, but they couldn't get clearance from teh NCAA, so that opened talks for the game in 07. Otherwise, i don't think we would have scheduled that one. I think it is good for the area, and a certain oppurtunity to have a great crowd. Sure they are tougher than NCAT, but we should still beat them, emphasis on should. It could very easily be a letdown game. that can't come close to happening

As for the others, Ohio and UCF are decent mid-major type programs. those are games that we can easily win if we play well. they could go down as wins against other conferences, which is what the SBC needs. As we grow, and as we continue to win games, I would still like to see the money games, although maybe only one every other year or something, and start to play better ooc mid-majors than we see now. Start playing more So Miss, TCU, Central Michigan (this year), teams like that that are at the top of their respective conferences. But, right now, we need to stick to a few ooc games that we have a chance to compete with, and not upset, the teams. I don't think that we are on the same level as the better mid-majors right now, so playing them would most likely result in a loss and we might as well sign up for more money games if that were the case.

There'll constantly be issues with trying to balance the competition of our schedule for the main reason that its usually done so far in advance. How good are the teams we are scheduling gonna be? How good will we be? How many money games will we need? Can we find enough D1A's so we don't need any D1AA's. Its a forecasting type thing that is kinda tough. Be competitive with the schedule, but keep it to where we can come away with a nice season if we have a down year, etc.

But you are right about playing all around the country to get yourself out there and noticed. Go to different schools in TX, FL, PA, etc.

[BILLB]

What is the schedule for this coming year? I haven't been able to find it anywhere yet.

[Just1More]

What is the schedule for this coming year? I haven't been able to find it anywhere yet.

Bill,
The following was posted by Andre the other day:

Tentative 2007 LOUISIANA Football Schedule

Sept 1, 2007 LOUISIANA @ South Carolina
Sept 8, 2007 Ohio U @ LOUISIANA
Sept 15, 2007 McNeese @ LOUISIANA
Sept 22, 2007 Troy @ LOUISIANA *
Sept 29, 2007 LOUISIANA @ Central Florida
Oct 6, 2007 North Texas @ LOUISIANA *
Oct 13, 2007 LOUISIANA @ Ark St. *
Oct 20, 2007 Florida Atlantic @ LOUISIANA *
Oct 27, 2007 LOUISIANA @ Florida International *
Nov 3, 2007 LOUISIANA @ Tennessee
Nov 10, 2007 LOUISIANA @ Middle Tennessee *
Nov 24, 2007 UL-Monroe @ LOUISIANA *

[Turbine]

What is the schedule for this coming year? I haven't been able to find it anywhere yet.

Here is the tentative schedule.

Tentative 2007 Regular Season Football Schedule

2007 Date	Location	Matchup
Sept 1	Away	LOUISIANA vs South Carolina
Sept 8	The Swamp	LOUISIANA vs Ohio
Sept 15	The Swamp	LOUISIANA vs McNeese
Sept 22	The Swamp	LOUISIANA vs Troy
Sept 29	Away	LOUISIANA vs Central Florida
Oct 6	The Swamp	LOUISIANA vs North Texas
Oct 13	Away	LOUISIANA vs Ark St.
Oct 20	The Swamp	LOUISIANA vs Florida Atlantic
Oct 27	Away	LOUISIANA vs Florida International
Nov 3	Away	LOUISIANA vs Tennessee
Nov 10	Away	LOUISIANA vs Middle Tennessee
Nov 24	The Swamp	LOUISIANA vs ULM

[Just1More]

I am not sure that I agree or disagree. mostly because you say 07's schedule is disappointing, but then say the games are good.

I think both of you are making good points. It is all a matter of risk vs reward. Tillman1 places a lot of weight on the recruiting prospects in opponent locations. I have a little spin on the money games... I do not like taking, unless necessary, money games in our recruiting area. I do believe we have to have money games, but would prefer 1 big money game per year, somewhere out of the 4 to 5 state area, mixed in with a TV game with a "significant" mid major. We get plenty of national recognition if we keep either close, and would not suffer the impact that some local hyped up games do to us.

Our program should be in shape to take on any instate D1AA school. So, if that helps local recruiting, and helps the record, that is OK. I want to play LaTech and Tulane. They create more fan excitement and all of the benefits that go with it. If this program is building, and I think it is, we should always give either Tech or Tulane a good game.

If/when our program builds back up to the strength of the late 80s and early to mid 90s, we can give some BCS schools a good showing. We had a lot of close battles with SEC teams in that timeframe. If LaTech can pull off wins in the SEC, so can we. And, with a strong mid major, we stand a good (solid) chance of being overlooked and that always helps.

I like SC and Tenn next year, regardless. They are not right in our backyard recruiting-wise... will definitely take us lightly... we need the green... and all that is good by me.

As far as other OOC opponents... for every issue that is a benefit, there is a potential downside and vice versa. Aside from the money games, and any high risk for potential reward games... I am more about having a good record in our OOC schedule. As we saw this year, you can come in second, maybe even third in the SBC, and be in bowl contention... with a good record. And, showing an ever improving W/L record has to be the best recruiting opening statement around.

[Jacob81]

Here is the tentative schedule.

Is it stupid for me to even ask? Why do we have 4 home conference games again? The conference has the same members as last year so shouldnt we be on an alternating schedule year to year now? Monroe and North Texas home again and going to middle again? I'm not complaining just confused.

[Jacob81]

I voted for UT cause it would be most impressive, but if you said we would be 1-4 ooc what team do I think needs to be that win. Yes, McCheese. Whats the point of beating anyone else if your gonna lose to a 1-aa neighbor. Consistantly beating the one you need too builds a program, not getting an upset (Houston) and going 3-4 in conference.