... what happens with the Cajun softball team down the stretch. It is very important that the Cajuns are able to play the DH with Baylor. This is not only a boon to the Cajuns' OWP and SOS ... but a chance for max RPI bonus points and a chance to pad their record vs. the RPI Top 25 (or at minimum log more games). As for the Nicholls State game, a rain dance is in order.
A quick analysis has the Cajuns passing Missouri in the RPI rankings this week ... and it seems they will be tightly packed with Oregon and Florida State. So, probably #6 in this week's RPI, but a possible shot at #5. Florida State probably does not catch them, but it is possible ... depending on how all of the opponents did this week. So, anywhere from #5 to #7 for this week seems to be in order.
At present, the remainder of the Cajuns' schedule has a weighted OWP of .5129. Not horrible. But it would be improved substantially to .5344 without Nicholls State.
The new Sun Belt Tournament format will certainly help the Cajuns. Winning the Sun Belt Conference regular season means a bye into the semi-finals. If the favorites were to win, it would most likely mean a double elimination tournament of Louisiana, South Alabama, Western Kentucky, and either Georgia State or Texas State. Getting to play South Alabama twice and the third game (actually the first game for the Cajuns in the bracket) being against a Georgia State or Texas State would be quite beneficial to the Cajuns' RPI.
Brian