Sun Belt Predictions

[MiamiCajun32]

_ McNeese signs very few transfers from FBS schools. On average they might sign 2 a year. Some years 3 or 4 sometimes none. We did sign 5 or 6 this year but that is the most they have signed over the last 20 odd years in Div 1AA. These guys were orginally recruited by McNeese but elected to sign elsewhere and now want to come back. FBS transfers to FCS would be the equvialent to UL signing Jr. College transfers. I would guess UL signs 2 or 3 a year on average.

You may have more upside I would say that is debatable based on your lack of success since staying in FBS. Programs are based on won loss records and the Cowboys no matter what division they have been in has better win loss record than the Cajuns. As far as mediocore after getting eliminated in the post season the last 3 or 4 times we have gone may not be far from the truth. Since SE LA has come back to football and with Lamar coming in they are not getting some of those recruits which I think will hurt them. If you will note McNeese does get to go to a post season or at least a good shot at it. How long has it been since UL has been to the post season ie a bowl game? I think its been around 30 to 35 years. McNeese's last appearance in a bowl game was only about 20 years ago in the Independence Bowl against Southern Miss. We are having fun in FCS because if you win you keep playing.

So you can knock us thats okay we can take it along with our success in football. _

90% of recruits that get offers from McNeese and UL are going to choose UL. Those that choose McNeese is due to purely geographical reasons, connection to school, or better chances of playing time early. Same goes in comparing UL to Ole Miss or Miss. St. for example. 90% of recruits are going to choose Ole Miss or Miss. St. over UL if they have offers from both. And that would not change if Cajuns happen to go to Ole Miss or Miss. St. and beat them (in a year when Ole Miss is not top 10 type team like this year).

I think it is much better to be playing for bowl game in present and (even if it is just a dream) possibilities of being nationally ranked in future, than on the other hand to be making playoffs in FCS year after year. I would rather go 6-6 and not get bowl invite than dominate FCS. Most teams that dominate FCS (such as Marshal for example) eventually move up to next level anyways and McNeese is hardly dominating FCS, just a winning program as it should be in a sea of smaller schools where for many football is not at all a priority in athletic department.

[RaginCajun09]

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[racajun54]

_ 90% of recruits that get offers from McNeese and UL are going to choose UL. Those that choose McNeese is due to purely geographical reasons, connection to school, or better chances of playing time early. Same goes in comparing UL to Ole Miss or Miss. St. for example. 90% of recruits are going to choose Ole Miss or Miss. St. over UL if they have offers from both. And that would not change if Cajuns happen to go to Ole Miss or Miss. St. and beat them (in a year when Ole Miss is not top 10 type team like this year).

I think it is much better to be playing for bowl game in present and (even if it is just a dream) possibilities of being nationally ranked in future, than on the other hand to be making playoffs in FCS year after year. I would rather go 6-6 and not get bowl invite than dominate FCS. Most teams that dominate FCS (such as Marshal for example) eventually move up to next level anyways and McNeese is hardly dominating FCS, just a winning program as it should be in a sea of smaller schools where for many football is not at all a priority in athletic department. _

I think your 90% is a little high but I won't agrue about that since there is no way to track it. But you are dealing with 17 and 18 year olds so you never know what goes through their minds when it comes to selecting a school. If you think its better to be playing for a bowl game fine. I like the playoffs and wish FBS would do it. If high schools can do it and the pros can do it why can't they? If you are satisifed with 6-6 more power to you. You are correct we aren't dominating FCS but at least we are winning most of the time. Football is the priority at McNeese you can tell that by the way our men's basketball and baseball teams play. I have gotten to know some people from App. State and Georgia Southern and let me tell you football is the priority of the athletic department. The size of the school has no bearing on what the priority of the athletic department is. Look at Duke, North Carolina, and Kentucky its all about basketball.

I think there is one thing we can agree on. No matter whether a player is in FBS, FCS, Div II, or Div III they all do 2 a days in August, scarifice during the week, and off season to go out and try to win on Saturdays. I am pretty sure UL, McNeese, and LA College players are working just as hard as LSU players during August camp.

[MiamiCajun32]

_ I think your 90% is a little high but I won't agrue about that since there is no way to track it. But you are dealing with 17 and 18 year olds so you never know what goes through their minds when it comes to selecting a school. If you think its better to be playing for a bowl game fine. I like the playoffs and wish FBS would do it. If high schools can do it and the pros can do it why can't they? If you are satisifed with 6-6 more power to you. You are correct we aren't dominating FCS but at least we are winning most of the time. Football is the priority at McNeese you can tell that by the way our men's basketball and baseball teams play. I have gotten to know some people from App. State and Georgia Southern and let me tell you football is the priority of the athletic department. The size of the school has no bearing on what the priority of the athletic department is. Look at Duke, North Carolina, and Kentucky its all about basketball.

I think there is one thing we can agree on. No matter whether a player is in FBS, FCS, Div II, or Div III they all do 2 a days in August, scarifice during the week, and off season to go out and try to win on Saturdays. I am pretty sure UL, McNeese, and LA College players are working just as hard as LSU players during August camp. _

As crazy as it is, a lot of the potential of a program has to do with 17 and 18 year olds because recruiting is king in college football.

Yes, of course football is a priority at McNeese to a certain extent, relative to other sports, but not enough to make the huge financial investment to move up to highest division.

Of course, it is ridiculous that there is not a playoff system in major college football. Ridiculous and pathetic, but it is what it is...

Sunbelt is weak of course, but vastly improving and I think better than MAC, for example. I don't think the North Texas team that dominated the conference the first few years of sunbelt football would finish any better than 3rd today.

If UL does not start raising private money for football program it will eventually fall well behind half the sunbelt teams that are throwing money into their program. And if UL ultimately does not get funds to compete with other programs, then argument could be made that it should not have moved to highest division. But odds are the funding will come. What is helping motivate is seeing other supposedly "lowly" sunbelt programs making strides and in part because of $$ into program.

[DestinCajun]

_ I have to admit you got us there. Good call but we will overcome it. Just like you guys over came the death penalty in basketball back many years ago. You guys did a better job over coming it than SMU football has. _

FWIW, you have a fine football program. In fact I think McNeese along with Grambling and LState have the highest winning percentages among all football programs in Louisiana. But why let that get in the way of a little fan skat&fun fest?

Your fellow cowpie fan, "StongeGE" used to come to our forum time and time again with charts, statistics, equations, data, ZEM quotes, and this and that and try to prove how great D2 is over where we are. He did not convince one UL ticket buying, game attendee that UL ought to change directions. And, he never will.

[4LSU]

_ FWIW, you have a fine football program. In fact I think McNeese along with Grambling and LState have the highest winning percentages among all football programs in Louisiana. But why let that get in the way of a little fan skat&fun fest?

Your fellow cowpie fan, "StongeGE" used to come to our forum time and time again with charts, statistics, equations, data, ZEM quotes, and this and that and try to prove how great D2 is over where we are. He did not convince one UL ticket buying, game attendee that UL ought to change directions. And, he never will. _

GSU and SU rank 1 & 2 in the state as far as "winning percentages" are concerned.

According to that Cajun poll bout the 5 sports I see here sometimes, a win is a win is a win....right. So..............

[DestinCajun]

_ GSU and SU rank 1 & 2 in the state as far as "winning percentages" are concerned.

According to that Cajun poll bout the 5 sports I see here sometimes, a win is a win is a win....right. So.............. _

My sources say Grambling then LState then Southern and then McNeese. I wasn't going to mention Southern and scare everyone to death.

I tell ya' 4, it's a funny world we live in. The Cowpies as a group are some of the biggest BSers on the planet about Grambling and Southern playing in the SWAC and not participating in the D2 playoffs blah, blah, blah.

Is is just possible the G Men and the Jags have structured their college football programs in a manner that suits them fine? Is it possible they don't give a ratsass what Cowpies think about their system of playing what amounts to a big time bowl game sponsored by State Farm on national TV in front of huge crowds that generates millions in income and in fan interest versus playing in the "D2 playoffs"?

I'm a D1a playoff guy myself but what they have going in the Bayou Classic is something to be admired.

[racajun54]

_ FWIW, you have a fine football program. In fact I think McNeese along with Grambling and LState have the highest winning percentages among all football programs in Louisiana. But why let that get in the way of a little fan skat&fun fest?

Your fellow cowpie fan, "StongeGE" used to come to our forum time and time again with charts, statistics, equations, data, ZEM quotes, and this and that and try to prove how great D2 is over where we are. He did not convince one UL ticket buying, game attendee that UL ought to change directions. And, he never will. _

I never said for you to change directions. I am not trying to convince anyone not to but UL game tickets. I didn't say D 1AA is better than D 1A just who has had the greater success in the division they play in thats all.

[racajun54]

_ My sources say Grambling then LState then Southern and then McNeese. I wasn't going to mention Southern and scare everyone to death.

I tell ya' 4, it's a funny world we live in. The Cowpies as a group are some of the biggest BSers on the planet about Grambling and Southern playing in the SWAC and not participating in the D2 playoffs blah, blah, blah.

Is is just possible the G Men and the Jags have structured their college football programs in a manner that suits them fine? Is it possible they don't give a ratsass what Cowpies think about their system of playing what amounts to a big time bowl game sponsored by State Farm on national TV in front of huge crowds that generates millions in income and in fan interest versus playing in the "D2 playoffs"?

I'm a D1a playoff guy myself but what they have going in the Bayou Classic is something to be admired. _

I don't blame them either from a money standpoint. I personally don't care if they particpate or not in 1AA playoffs. The SWAC record in the playoffs is terrible. This has happened when Alcorn State or Jackson State has won the SWAC crown. Its the same for you guys trying to get to a bowl game. Fine go for it. You guys should have no problem beating Southern none what so ever and it would be a complete shock if you lost to them.

[DestinCajun]

_ I never said for you to change directions. I am not trying to convince anyone not to but UL game tickets. I didn't say D 1AA is better than D 1A just who has had the greater success in the division they play in thats all. _

I didn't say you said we should, I said "Cowpie fans in general". They're fanatics about it to the point of being absurd and ridiculous and you know exactly what I mean. I can easily round up some choice quotes on the topic but I'm not. This chat has run its course.

[Sharp Square]

Some great sunbelt preview and predictions , thanks for all the great links guys !




I see alot of high hopes for our D this season but im very much in wait and see mode as i just didnt see alot of good things from our D last season and i think it was very much a work in progress that im just not sure it improves a ton over an offseason with what we have , although i so hope i am wrong. I am also kind of scared to see our offensive scheme this season after losing the guys we did , i think we will need much better production from the passing game to have anykind of impact on offense and well as we all know that always for many reasons seems to be tough on us , whether it be coaching scheme's or personel or a combo of both. I am hoping as much as anyone that we have some guys bust out and explode on the scene and we once again make a run at a bowl game , but i for some reason cannot seem to get my hopes up for the season atleast going in.



That being said im ready for some Cajuns Football - Geaux Cajuns ! ! !

[zephyr]

_ Some great sunbelt preview and predictions , thanks for all the great links guys !




I see alot of high hopes for our D this season but im very much in wait and see mode as i just didnt see alot of good things from our D last season and i think it was very much a work in progress that im just not sure it improves a ton over an offseason with what we have , although i so hope i am wrong. I am also kind of scared to see our offensive scheme this season after losing the guys we did , i think we will need much better production from the passing game to have anykind of impact on offense and well as we all know that always for many reasons seems to be tough on us , whether it be coaching scheme's or personel or a combo of both. I am hoping as much as anyone that we have some guys bust out and explode on the scene and we once again make a run at a bowl game , but i for some reason cannot seem to get my hopes up for the season atleast going in.



That being said im ready for some Cajuns Football - Geaux Cajuns ! ! ! _

Agreed. You do have to remember though, the D was playing really well at times early on in the season when it was healthy. They went to Illinois and shut down a Heisman candidate in Juice Williams in the narrow loss and only gave up one offensive touchdown to Illinois. The D kept the Cajuns in that game and allowed them to almost get the victory. After the injuries hit, it was just not the same as we had so much youth that had to prematurely step up and try to fill in for starters. I think this is why so many have high hopes for this D. I think the athleticism on D will be the best we've had since I've been watching Cajun football and if the D-line can step up and get to the QB, I think this D could be one of the SBC's best this year and certainly next year as they return almost everybody once again.

I think you could possibly compare this year's cajun team to last year's FIU team. That team was very limited on offense as they didn't have a fantastic run or pass game although they were talented as various positions. Their D was not a shut down D but was very solid nonetheless. They had a nice year and made some serious noise in the SBC. I think we can be that kind of team if we stay healthy. There is a lot to be said for a team that doesn't make a lot of mistakes offensively even if it loses some firepower and plays solid D and Special teams just keeping the field position game in their favor. You don't have to be spectacular to be a good team, just solid.