2014 Louisiana (20) vs La. Tech (48)

[zephyr]

42-38 Ragin Cajuns

I'm not sold on our defensive ability until they display otherwise. Hopefully they do.

Based on my previous response to Z, you can tell I agree more with you. However, I do feel that we are much better defensively than we showed last weekend. The only things that concern me are our ability to get to the QB which we really couldn't do very well against SU and knowing our assignments. We gave up one score and should have given up another just based on defensive assignment brain farts that will have to be tightened up by Saturday. Obviously, it would be great to beat a Tech by 40 as I think this is a much better measuring stick than SU but I'm just not expecting it.

[Just1More]

We've recruited well but to say we've outrecruited them is a stretch. Regardless of how you feel about their program, they won't be running out guys who don't physically match up against ours. Its not to say we don't have the advantage in personnel at certain positions, but to say that they won't have similar athletes to us in general is just not smart.

You should know what happens when predicting records based on previous years results, shouldn't you Z? Remember us in 2011? We came off a 3 win season to win 9 the year after. This is not any type of valid reason why we should expect to beat these guys by 40.

Lastly, look at us last year. We were heavy favorites in quite a few games and never met the expectations we set forth in terms of margin of victory. We struggled to really put our foot on the opponents throat and finish games early. You may be right that we finish them by a comfortable margin but that margin will be closer to his prediction than yours.

Last year, our starting QB was injured. Elijah was a freshman. Jamal just became the "go to" WR. Alonzo's a senior and wants a shot at the NFL. He's twice what he was since Elijah showed up. The SBC OOC record was far better than CUSA. The four teams Tech beat were a combined 4-44. I take it on face value that our greatest weakness, our defense, is not only better equipped personel-wise, but that Willis... being in his second year... truly has them running an intelligent defense. Tech recruited lights out when Dooley was there. They peaked. Dooley's recruits are no longer there. I also believe that Hud and his staff are vastly better than Skip Holtz and staff. We are playing at Cajun Field for a rematch of a historic state rival. They have badmouthed us incessantly over the past decade. I have no doubt Mark Hudspeth, and our entire football team, with the backing of our fans... are out to smash these guys.

We had no reason to do anything against Southern but run our simple base schemes. We kept everyone healthy. Our coaches observed what and who works and doesn't. Tech couldn't tell against Oklahoma what or who works for them. We are going to bust Tech in the nuts this Saturday. They'll have their moments. We'll have 10 for 1.

[zephyr]

Last year, our starting QB was injured. Elijah was a freshman. Jamal just became the "go to" WR. Alonzo's a senior and wants a shot at the NFL. He's twice what he was since Elijah showed up. The SBC OOC record was far better than CUSA. The four teams Tech beat were a combined 4-44. I take it on face value that our greatest weakness, our defense, is not only better equipped personel-wise, but that Willis... being in his second year... truly has them running an intelligent defense. Tech recruited lights out when Dooley was there. They peaked. Dooley's recruits are no longer there. I also believe that Hud and his staff are vastly better than Skip Holtz and staff. We are playing at Cajun Field for a rematch of a historic state rival. They have badmouthed us incessantly over the past decade. I have no doubt Mark Hudspeth, and our entire football team, with the backing of our fans... are out to smash these guys.

We had no reason to do anything against Southern but run our simple base schemes. We kept everyone healthy. Our coaches observed what and who works and doesn't. Tech couldn't tell against Oklahoma what or who works for them. We are going to bust Tech in the nuts this Saturday. They'll have their moments. We'll have 10 for 1.

Our defense returns all but a couple of starters from last year. We are not better personnel wise but we are not worse either, we are just more experienced. You helped make my point for my from last year. It means very little in the success of this year and that is why I feel those making predictions solely on what happened last year are not seeing the big picture.

Outside of this, I agree with what you are saying. I do feel we have the better staff and overall, top to bottom, better players but the implication before was that we have just out recruited them at every position for the past few years and I don't think there is as big of a difference in those two talent levels as some think.

[Just1More]

Our defense returns all but a couple of starters from last year. We are not better personnel wise but we are not worse either, we are just more experienced. You helped make my point for my from last year. It means very little in the success of this year and that is why I feel those making predictions solely on what happened last year are not seeing the big picture.

Outside of this, I agree with what you are saying. I do feel we have the better staff and overall, top to bottom, better players but the implication before was that we have just out recruited them at every position for the past few years and I don't think there is as big of a difference in those two talent levels as some think.

The predictions are emotionally derived in most cases. I don't know how much we'll win by. I just believe we, at home, in this rival(ish) game, with Hud, with everyone in good health, with most of our weapons very experienced, and with Tech having Skip Holtz... not having proved anything with Tech so far... I just think we're overall much better... this year.

I believe, with all things even, we are 17 to 20 point favorites in this particular matchup.

[cajunhawk]

45-14...I don't think this game will be close.

[CajunEXPRESS]

The most important single reason I am confident of a win Saturday?

Come on guys Hud vs Skippy no brainier.

Somehow the Pup Nation has been sold that last year was the aberration rather than the norm under a Skippy led team. God bless um, preachers and coaches getting money and support from those least able to pay the price.

[snote]

On the Sportsnote today (ESPN1420 11-12p) Cajun Corner..Guests include Advertiser's Cajun beat writer Tim Buckley and former player, coach and now color analyst Gerald Broussard

[MelRock]

When did Bucky start recording music?

[Policarp]

In Hud we trust. It'll be a truly glorious day for Louisiana. The righteous will prevail and the separationist will suffer a year of indignation. But they will make real money on their home game next year and realize the $value of in-state rivalries can be.

Absolutely guarantee with UL as a home game for tech next year they see a minimum of 2k increase in season tickets sold.

[cajunfan337]

42-38 Ragin Cajuns

I'm not sold on our defensive ability until they display otherwise. Hopefully they do.

These guys haven't put up 30pts in a loss in at least at year. This will be a slow, methodical drumming. 38-17.