2007 Football preview and offseason fan talk

[DestinCajun]

Disrespectable or not, it is pretty accurate. Oddsmakers try to be right on. _

Since I do not gamble I really do not care but doesn't a "line" represent what those who are gambling on the outcome of the game believe it will be?

If, for example, the "line" moves to say 10 points, doesn't that represent a feeling among those gambling on it that the game will be closer than the book believes it will? So, in that case, who is more accurate?

[Jeaux]

yep.. If to many people bet on one, the line will adjust accordingly. It all about making money for the bookie. A line is really only about general public perception. Nothing more than that.

[CajunCherokee]

I think 29 points is about right. I would be happy if we covered that. Remember, we are looking for a positive performance, something that we can continue to grow on. And no injuries (but it is football!).

[Sonsissymia]

_ I just saw that South Carolina is favored to beat the Cajuns by 29. Do y'all think that is pretty accurate or will it be closer (or worst!)? _

cajuns are playing the worst 'run it up' coach in the country, one of the few that doesn't call off the dogs even tho' the 'margin of victory' component has been dropped. i'd call it an upset if the cajuns held it below the spread, and that's no knock on the team, but more against spurrier.

[rhineaux]

_ cajuns are playing the worst 'run it up' coach in the country, one of the few that doesn't call off the dogs even tho' the 'margin of victory' component has been dropped. i'd call it an upset if the cajuns held it below the spread, and that's no knock on the team, but more against spurrier. _

Ah, but he would have to get to the 29 point lead first. He can't run it up if we don't let him get that far ahead.

My thoughts on this line are this. we came within a touchdown the last time we played them. While they might have upgraded their coach a lot; as a team, we've improved a lot more than them since then. this really doesn't have anything to do with this game, nor does it automatically mean that we are going to stay within a touchdown again or anything, but it does mean that the game is very winnable, because a team as bad as that one almost knocked off SC. I would be very surprised if UL goes to SC and loses by that many points. I would certainly take UL and the points.

they probably have speed at the skill positions, and that may be the difference in the game, but our guys are pretty fast as well. I don't think their O-Line is that great, at least compared to what we saw our first game last year. They didn't have a consistant group of starters until something like the 8th game of last season. I think there was a link on here the other day about them not having much luck with that position set again this year. I don't know if QB will be a strong suit for them. I did read that everyone thought the Freshman would start, but because of some time he spent out of practice for rules violations or something, he missed some much needed work and might get red-shirted. And, if a freshman was slated to be the starter, then I would assume that anything ahead of him wouldn't be as good.

On our side, our guys are hungry. they are all buying into the new systems, and they all want to get some revenge on themselves for the way they performed last year. Our offense will go at a very fast pace, and if we don't tire out before them, then that is an advantage for us. and if we can work the passing game like we want, and make the plays that our playbook allows us to make, another advatage to get the running game going. Our front 7/8 will be much more aggressive and attack the QB, while we certainly upgraded our defensive backfield. And, unless they are having scouts out at practice watching us, and filming us, then they likely don't ahve a lot of data about the plays we're running or the types of things we are trying to accomplish, which is certainly another advatage for UL.

I'm not saying UL's a lock, but I don't think a 29 point beatdown is either.

[Just1More]

_ cajuns are playing the worst 'run it up' coach in the country, one of the few that doesn't call off the dogs even tho' the 'margin of victory' component has been dropped. i'd call it an upset if the cajuns held it below the spread, and that's no knock on the team, but more against spurrier. _

No problem. I talked to Bustle and he said that he would not run up the score on the Gamecocks if we maintain a substantial lead late in the 4th quarter. He said that it would be foolish on our parts to leave our starters in and risk injury. Now, if we put in our 2nd and 3rd string and fire away... that is just the way is goes.

[Zeebart21]

McNeese fans, your "behind enemy lines" thread is going South...fast! LOL!!!

Lots of confusion in the last few posts. Ya'll help 44 distinguish between the good guys and the bad guys!



Z.

[RaginEsquire06]

...we came within a touchdown the last time we played them. While they might have upgraded their coach a lot; as a team, we've improved a lot more than them since then.

It seems to me that no one remembers the outcome of the last time these two teams played...Yes, SC upgraded at the head-coach position...but as far as I'm concerned...the "players" play the game! This is in my opinion one of the best offensive units UL has ever had! Will be very interesting to see the outcome of this game....if our defense shows up...it may provide for a very memorable night!...and I'll try my best to be there to witness it!

[NewsCopy]

2006 SEASON IN REVIEW: There was no more bigger disappointment in the Sun Belt Conference in 2006 than the UL-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns, who stumbled to a 3-4 finish after being picked to win the league in the preseason. ULL, which earned a share of the SBC title in '05, returned a healthy group of players and was expected to compete for its first-ever bowl appearance. Following an expected 0-2 start against LSU (45-3) and Texas A&M (51-7) in '06, the Cajuns ripped off four straight wins, including a 31-28 decision over Conference USA champion Houston, and that had everyone feeling good. The team however, dropped its next three games against SBC foes, eliminating it from any contention of winning the league title. Still, ULL didn't give in and instead posted back-to-back wins over Florida International (17-7) and Arkansas State (28-13), giving it a 6-5 record with one game left. A 39-20 beating at the hand of UL-Monroe in their season finale dropped the Cajuns to an even 6-6 overall, as their once promising campaign crumbled before them. Despite the disappointment, ULL's 12 combined wins over the past two seasons is the most in a two-year span in over a decade for this program. 2007 ANALYSIS: OFFENSE: The Cajuns ranked 11th in the nation in rushing (188.4 ypg) last season and with the return of tailbacks Tyrell Fenroy and Deon Wallace and running quarterback Michael Desormeaux they should be just as potent this year on the ground. The rest of the story By Ralph Lauro, Associate College Football Editor

[CrazyCajun]

Just wanted to discuss the thoughts on the new offense. First i'll start with the pros of the offense. I like the idea of moving at a fast pace and keeping defenses off balance and geussing. it will be good for the offense to stay in a rythm when we are moving the ball. However, i do have some concerns. First, obviously i worried of the lineman getting tired as well as the other offensive players causing them to get sloppy. Also, i think alot of our success in 2005 was being able to run,move the chains and control the clock. If our offense struggles then that will result in our defense getting right back on the field with no rest which in turn causing them to get tired. Our biggest asset for our defense in 2005 was not being on the field alot b/c we would put together long, time consuming drives. At some point you have to slow the tempo. basically i'm wondering if we will run this offense no matter what or if we get up on somebody will we slow it down and control the clock. As much as i think it will help us i thinking it could back fire in our faces. its going to be interesting to see.

[BabbForHeisman]

Just wanted to discuss the thoughts on the new offense. First i'll start with the pros of the offense. I like the idea of moving at a fast pace and keeping defenses off balance and geussing. it will be good for the offense to stay in a rythm when we are moving the ball. However, i do have some concerns. First, obviously i worried of the lineman getting tired as well as the other offensive players causing them to get sloppy. Also, i think alot of our success in 2005 was being able to run,move the chains and control the clock. If our offense struggles then that will result in our defense getting right back on the field with no rest which in turn causing them to get tired. Our biggest asset for our defense in 2005 was not being on the field alot b/c we would put together long, time consuming drives. At some point you have to slow the tempo. basically i'm wondering if we will run this offense no matter what or if we get up on somebody will we slow it down and control the clock. As much as i think it will help us i thinking it could back fire in our faces. its going to be interesting to see.

I think that in order to be successful, this offense is going to have to be run both ways. There are going to be plenty of times when coming out with a fast tempo is going to be exactly what we need to deliver the first punch. But controlling the clock is equally important, and I think this offense definitely has the ability to due so. An 8-minute drive that leads to a touchdown is often times more damaging than a quick strike. And with a ground game like I am anticipating the Cajuns having this year, I think we will have the ability to dictate the tempo however we want it.

[NewsCopy]

Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns returned to practice on Tuesday following two days of much needed rest. The Cajuns hit the practice field for the first time this fall following a morning filled with classes. The days off combined with practicing for the first time after attending class had the Cajuns sluggish early. “It was a little slow,” said offensive coordinator Blake Anderson. “I don’t think the guys have gotten into the routine of having class and then coming to practice. “They were in the two-a-day routine and anytime you change things up it will be a little slower the first day. “I think we were a lot fresher, having the two day layoff. You don’t just get that rhythm back instantly.” Despite the slow start, the Cajuns picked things up in the team periods. The offense faced the defense in first-and-10 situations and then in a two-minute drill. “We did some good things at the end of practice,” stated Anderson. “The two-minute drill was okay. It was really just about operation. “We kind of feel like we are in a two-minute all the time. We go no huddle and our tempo is fast, so performing a two-minute drill should not be a huge transition.” The Cajuns will hold their third and final fall scrimmage on Wednesday at 3:30pm. After a tough second scrimmage, the offense is hoping it can regain its success from the first scrimmage. “We made so many mental mistake (in the second scrimmage),” added Anderson. “The guys were a little overloaded after putting in so many different plays. There were probably 10 times more than we had in the spring with all the motions and movements. “They made some simple mistakes that cost us and we are looking to correct that on Wednesday afternoon. “You want the offense and the defense to perform well, but somebody is going to come off the field feeling that it didn’t go so well. “If we can execute well and play with good intensity, then we can feel like we had a good day.” RaginCajuns.com