Game Thread (Louisiana vs Boise St)

[cajunref]

Unless we improve dramatically on defense from last year, I am afraid this game will essentially be over by halftime, regardless of who is under center.

[KajunKrazy]

bacl to disagreeing with you Bick. i say we get 30-35K

I would love to be wrong. Hope you are right.

[CrazyCajun]

Unless we improve dramatically on defense from last year, I am afraid this game will essentially be over by halftime, regardless of who is under center.

Kinda like Sean Payton said...it would be almost hard not to improve on defense

[scotto_25]

I think our defense will be top 3 in the Belch this year. Got a good feeling that the ball bounces our way this year. Turn 11 total turnovers into something like 25. That alone will give us at least a 3 game swing from last year.

Like Crazy and Sean P said.......no where to go but up huh?

[Cajunjeb]

11:00 game has it's perks here too gentlemen. Most families with kids (not too young) will enjoy this time slot. It's mid-day so you have time to get your chores done in the morning. Get out there for a little tailgate if you like that kind of thing. Watch the game from 11-2'ish then you have all afternoon for more football, dinner, kids stuff, etc. I think the heat will only deter a small group of people (families with babies and elderly).

With that being said, I'm going with 29,000 fans. If the weather guys make their normal misdiagnosed monsoon forecast, we'll have 19,000.

I think the Cajuns can hang with this team if we can move it early.

First game, AJ behind center, big name school and school pride would be reasons for me to attend at 11:00 (or any time of day the Cajuns play). The reasons why I couldn't make it...kid's soccer games.

[ManAboutTown]

Unless we improve dramatically on defense from last year, I am afraid this game will essentially be over by halftime, regardless of who is under center.

Mr. B, for the first time in a long time, I think the defense will be a strength.

[jllanclos]

I think if we score more points than Boise we will have a really good shot at winning the game.

On a serious note. What do you think the crowd will be like at 11am and what would you say if it were at 6.

I'll go with 20k'ish at 11 and if it were at 6 around 30k. I think the time will have a big effect on the crowd which is a shame.

30K, but only 20K count because it's Cajun Field.

[CrazyCajun]

22k inside and another 8k outside huddled around misting fans

[ManAboutTown]

Positives:
-When the defense was healthy, they played good football, and that was WITH a very experienced secondary. Pitched a shutout in a half early in the season. When is the last time a Cajun defense did that?
-Mario Osborne is a difference maker. Carmichael Dunbar is a difference maker. Those guys will set the tone, and I personally have confidence in those guys. If we can get anything from Kidd and the rest of the JUCO guys, there is a chance we can put some pressure on the QB.
-Otha Peters gives you everything you need in the middle. Speed, toughness, Leadership. He will be a name you will hear a lot this season.
-Like I mentioned, the secondary was inexperienced. But they got baptized through fire and they're adding an all league talent.
-The offensive line can only get better. Another group that learned the hard way in 2015. We'll be healthy, we'll be in shape, and we'll be much more athletic this season at the tackles.
-Hud was destroyed last year for his misuse of QB and McGuire. He will not repeat that. Eli will be used correctly, and Jordan Wright helps tremendously.
-Anyone who things Anthony Davis can't play is not paying attention. If Davis beats him out, you have a story (and really, the QB position going forward is in much better shape than we originally thought). Jennings brings an edge. This part is just an opinion, but he looks focused, to the point of being on a mission. Don't ever underestimate a man on a mission.
-Odds: At some point, the odds tilt. It's just a fact. We are due some turnovers, some bounces of the ball, some health, some good fortune.
-To a very small degree (no pun intended), the weather plays a factor. The travel plays a factor.
-This is not Kellen Moore's Boise St. Like Scott said, they are breaking in some guys. They are also missing some guys. Yes, Rypien is an NFL quarterback, but one player a team does not make.
-Brian Harsin: We're familiar with him. Also, there is a reason the fans at Boise St are not over the top for this guy. He's beatable. This team is beatable.

Negatives:
-A lot of unknowns. New OC, New WR coach, new players in key roles, new QB, New OL shuffle, and apparently, new offensive scheme. At some point, we'll have growing pains.
-While talented, Simeon Thomas hasn't played football in a long time. He'll have to get up to speed quickly.
-Tracy Walker at the 'buck' position? I don't buy this. Walker looked confused and ran away from contact more than any defensive player I saw last year. I understand he's put on weight, but that doesn't change a player's mentality and toughness. He has a lot to prove in my opinion.
-Again, we lack depth at WR. Grades, injury, whatever.. A lot of youth there.
-While Boise St isn't top 15 anymore, they are still a good football team with an excellent offense. Rypien is the real deal.
-While Jennings (or Davis) is talented, they are both unknowns.
-OL will be improved but lacks a proven leader with Quave gone. Hopefully someone steps up.
-If the guys come out of that tunnel and see a lacking crowd for an opener, on their field, against a household name school, there will be a let down. Don't kid yourselves. Get to the field people.
-Love Hud, but he can be hard headed. If he hasn't learned from his mistakes, we're in trouble. We need to come out and throw the kitchen sink at these mother ____qua's..

Bottom line.. We can win.

[KajunKrazy]

Mr. B, for the first time in a long time, I think the defense will be a strength.

I have to agree if the ju co D linemen are as good as they say to provide depth the defense should be really good. I like our line backers and if brown and Thomas stay healthy might be the best tandem we've had in the back field in a very long time. If this staff doesn't get it done with these guys I will start to question them.

[Just1More]

I have to agree if the ju co D linemen are as good as they say to provide depth the defense should be really good. I like our line backers and if brown and Thomas stay healthy might be the best tandem we've had in the back field in a very long time. If this staff doesn't get it done with these guys I will start to question them.

I think you meant:

Bicky agrees if the JUCO linemen are as good as they say to provide depth the defense should be really good. Bicky likes our linebackers and if Brown and Thomas stay healthy might be the best tandem we've had in the backfield in a very long time. If this staff doesn't get it done with these guys Bicky will start to question them.

[cajun_lannister]

Cody Mitchell will be an absolute monster in a year or 2 . Best TE since Pee wee