Five National TV Games Highlight 2013 Football Schedule

[basinbear]

Everybody is saying 11-1 at best. 11-1 would be great, but anybody think we can run the table? 12-0? Top 5 ranking??? I'm dreaming big, but dreams have to start somewhere

In my opinion, this could be the best chance that the University has ever had to run the table. Both Arkansas and Kansas ST. are completely reloading. Arkansas will not overlook UL after what happened last year but with both new starters and a new coach with new schemes it could be there for the taking. There is also the fact that with the exception of one game, UL has played the Razorbacks very tough. Kansas ST. will have a bushel basket full of new starters and the last time the Cajuns caught Kansas ST. in that situation was at Cajun Field a few years ago... The biggest challenge after that is back to back road games against Arkansas ST. and WKU. Both should be great games and they will both be quite a challange. If we can fill in a couple of holes offensively, get good , consistent play out of our secondary, and have some of the youngsters step forward in the d-line...this could be Huds best team yet...add in no major injuries...and a break here and there....I think that this team could run the table...final ranking?...who knows.

[sportsfanatic21]

I think this schedule is just about perfect for where we are, and to further ourselves as a program. And while I don't like the mid-week games, they fall at a good time. Should we win either of the first 2 (or both), we'd be playing nationally televised games (with no other college games to compete against) while being either 5-0 or 4-1 with a win or 2 vs BCS teams. And if we beat WKU, the next week is the same situation at 6-0 or 5-1. Folks, if we get that that part of the schedule with 1 loss or undefeated, the national hype will be in full force. The rest of the schedule sets up nicely afterwards. La Tech played an almost identical schedule last year, catching 2 BCS teams in down years, and found themselves ranked in the top 25. They couldnt finish the job (and we all know of the bowl debacle), but it was right there for them.

I realize people want to see better competition in our home games, but after the last 2 seasons, the foundation has been set. Playing this type of schedule this year is perfect if we take care of our business. Nobody will care about our schedule if we get to 11-1 or even 12-0. Remember, Boise State's coming out party was making it to a BCS game in 2006 (and beating Oklahoma in the January, 2007 Fiesta Bowl). Their schedule that year included the WAC opponents, Utah, Sacramento State, Wyoming, and one game against a BCS team (Oregon State).

So let's not worry about how playing the teams we get at home affects attendance, and instead think of how the possibly of an 11 or 12 win season, being ranked in the top 25, and the excitement that comes with it will raise our national perception, and in turn, blow away attendance records, especially with the glut of home games being at the back end of the schedule.

[SlappyCajun]

I think this schedule is just about perfect for where we are, and to further ourselves as a program. And while I don't like the mid-week games, they fall at a good time. Should we win either of the first 2 (or both), we'd be playing nationally televised games (with no other college games to compete against) while being either 5-0 or 4-1 with a win or 2 vs BCS teams. And if we beat WKU, the next week is the same situation at 6-0 or 5-1. Folks, if we get that that part of the schedule with 1 loss or undefeated, the national hype will be in full force. The rest of the schedule sets up nicely afterwards. La Tech played an almost identical schedule last year, catching 2 BCS teams in down years, and found themselves ranked in the top 25. They couldnt finish the job (and we all know of the bowl debacle), but it was right there for them.

I realize people want to see better competition in our home games, but after the last 2 seasons, the foundation has been set. Playing this type of schedule this year is perfect if we take care of our business. Nobody will care about our schedule if we get to 11-1 or even 12-0. Remember, Boise State's coming out party was making it to a BCS game in 2006 (and beating Oklahoma in the January, 2007 Fiesta Bowl). Their schedule that year included the WAC opponents, Utah, Sacramento State, Wyoming, and one game against a BCS team (Oregon State).

So let's not worry about how playing the teams we get at home affects attendance, and instead think of how the possibly of an 11 or 12 win season, being ranked in the top 25, and the excitement that comes with it will raise our national perception, and in turn, blow away attendance records, especially with the glut of home games being at the back end of the schedule.

I don't disagree with this assessment. If we manage to beat Arkansas, K-State, or both. Fans will likely come out. If we go 0-2, we will have a hard time reaching last year's attendance numbers.

[sportsfanatic21]

If we get blown out in both, you're probably right. But even at 0-2, I think the home opener (Nicholls) will draw. And winning at Akron would put a decent crowd in for Texas St. Should we beat both WKU and stAte on the road, I think the crowds would be just fine. There's always the possibility of starting 0-2 and losing both midweek games. That would be a disaster, but I feel confident that this program is past worrying about that. Realistically, I expect to win one of the first two, and 1 of the midweek road games. All other games should be wins. Being 8-2 going into the ULM game would bring a huge crowd.

[Hammer58]

Man, that home slate looks like something out of he SLC. Farmer must love it.

[CrazyCajun]

I think this schedule is just about perfect for where we are, and to further ourselves as a program. And while I don't like the mid-week games, they fall at a good time. Should we win either of the first 2 (or both), we'd be playing nationally televised games (with no other college games to compete against) while being either 5-0 or 4-1 with a win or 2 vs BCS teams. And if we beat WKU, the next week is the same situation at 6-0 or 5-1. Folks, if we get that that part of the schedule with 1 loss or undefeated, the national hype will be in full force. The rest of the schedule sets up nicely afterwards. La Tech played an almost identical schedule last year, catching 2 BCS teams in down years, and found themselves ranked in the top 25. They couldnt finish the job (and we all know of the bowl debacle), but it was right there for them.

I realize people want to see better competition in our home games, but after the last 2 seasons, the foundation has been set. Playing this type of schedule this year is perfect if we take care of our business. Nobody will care about our schedule if we get to 11-1 or even 12-0. Remember, Boise State's coming out party was making it to a BCS game in 2006 (and beating Oklahoma in the January, 2007 Fiesta Bowl). Their schedule that year included the WAC opponents, Utah, Sacramento State, Wyoming, and one game against a BCS team (Oregon State).

So let's not worry about how playing the teams we get at home affects attendance, and instead think of how the possibly of an 11 or 12 win season, being ranked in the top 25, and the excitement that comes with it will raise our national perception, and in turn, blow away attendance records, especially with the glut of home games being at the back end of the schedule.

Boise state was 44-7 the previous 4 years before going 13-0. Wasn't really their coming out party. They had been 13-1and 12-1 already before that year.

[Turbine]

The schedule is what it is.

I feel for traveling fans. A home game every other week is ideal. Travel-break, travel-break . . .

I know they will rise to the occasion, but 3 home games in one month has got to be tough on the home bound roadies.

[VObserver]

It is imperative that we do no worse than 7-1 in the conference and beat Nichols and Akron. I do believe that road wins at Arkansas and KSU are possible. A sweep of those two would solve home attendance problems, as casual fans will show up to see a Cajuns team with wins against the SEC & the Big XII.

[sportsfanatic21]

Boise state was 44-7 the previous 4 years before going 13-0. Wasn't really their coming out party. They had been 13-1and 12-1 already before that year.

Boise St was 9-4 (2005) the year they went to the Fiesta Bowl in 2006. Yes, they did have an 11-1 record in 2004, but their schedule OOC that year was Oregon State, BYU, and Idaho. That's the point. Once you get the foundation laid, as we have the last couple of years, it's good to play a soft schedule to build your credibility, boost recruiting, and get your program in position to compete game in and game out with the "big boys". I can't guarantee it, but I'd be willing to bet that perennial 10 win seasons, nationally televised midweek games, top 25 rankings, and bowl game appearances would do more for the program financially, attendance wise, as well as for recruiting, than playing a bunch of games against top flight competition and going 6-6 or 7-5. Again, I may be wrong. But it's been proven over the years that this town will support a winner, and will not support a mediocre (or losing) team. And the majority of casual fans probably have no idea what a better win is when you are beating New Mexico State as opposed to beating someone like Minnesota or Wake Forest.

At this time, we cannot recruit to a conference, so recruiting to a top 25 team that wins 10 or 11 games a year, and gets selected to play on national tv for half or more of their games is easier than recruiting to a 6-6 program that gets beat down by BCS teams 4 times a season.
Jmo

[Turbine]

Boise State was a nobody when UL gave them their seat in the Big West Conference.