Opinion on football team

[CajunConnection]

Like everyone else, I have an opinion on the football team. I am as frustrated by this start as most people, and will lose a good amount of $$$ on my over 8.5 wins at -160 bet from the preseason.

Let's start with the obvious, this team isn't very good on offense, but is very good on defense. That alone will keep us in most of the games for the rest of the season. Doesn't mean we win them, but we should be competitive. We held a very potent USA offense to 20 points, in today's college game, only giving up 20 points should win the majority of the games.

1. Why aren't we good on offense? I think there are many reasons for this, but for me, lack of experience and leadership is at the top of the list. New play caller, new QB, mostly new OL, one proven RB and a receiving corp that is too talented and deep to perform like they are currently. The only position group that is meeting preseason expectations is the TE position.

2. This defense is really good, especially when they don't have to be on the field too long. We have great leadership with Hill, Garror, Trahan, Quebedeaux, etc, and very young studs like Ossai, Flowers, Anderson, Lawson, Skipper, Whitfield, etc. There is a lot to like here.

3. This team is as close to being 4-1, as last year's team was to being 11-3. This year's team could've easily beat ULM and USA and last year's team could've easily lost to USA and Georgia State. I was EXTREMELY frustrated at being 4-1 last season and not looking good at all. What is the difference? Last year's team knew how to close out games and this team hasn't learned that yet. The other big difference I see is penalties. There seems to be many more penalties, which points back to the lack of experience, IMO.

4. I do see reason for optimism, but it is still going to be a bumpy ride for the rest of the season. On the field, the OL definitely played their best game against USA, but there is still a lot of room for improvement. Very simply, if the OL improves, our QB, RB and play calling will all get better. Off the field, I will definitely be looking to take advantage of the Cajuns getting + points on the betting sites, like I did against USA. The defense it too good for Cajuns to be laying big numbers.

5. Coach Des is a super smart individual and I expect him to get better. I think he is extremely loyal, but I don't believe he is stubborn. He wants to WIN and I believe he will grow as a coach and a play caller during the season. He will do so by learning from his mistakes and correcting them. With that being said, he is the head coach and the play caller, so the record and the stats he owns 100%.

As a gambler, I underestimated how inexperienced this team was, especially on offense (and that includes coaching), and as such, should not have bet so much with my heart.

As a fan, this is painful to watch, but I don't believe the cULture is gone, it is just being tested right now. Some will fail the test and that is OK, because the ones that do pass will help it thrive in the future.

Excellent assessment- Last years team won many close games. their record could have been average -Plenty of time in this season to turn it around.
Go Cajuns

[Swamp]

….lI saw the Florida game (some of it)….guess they stole our celebration dances and band Leader moves after a great play like a TD or pick off!

Napier took the whole damn cULture with him

[JMV JustMyView]

Wasn't he the guy who brought it in and instilled it?

[SMD7636]

If Napier took the touchdown baton or turn over shoulder pads with him, this is when the coaches create a new celebration cULture. You have all off season!

[ZoomZoom]

Somewhat related, the NIL/portal tail wagging the dog at SMU…

https://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...l-per-reports/

In other words, they quit on their current teammates.

[Cajun Monkee]

Excellent assessment- Last years team won many close games. their record could have been average -Plenty of time in this season to turn it around.
Go Cajuns

Best post on the board in a few weeks.

[Bandwagon King]

If Napier took the touchdown baton or turn over shoulder pads with him, this is when the coaches create a new celebration cULture. You have all off season!

The coaches aren't the only ones who create things like this though. Things like that are done when you are having camp together. You are forced to bond together to become a team & a family, not just a bunch of guys who practice football together a couple of hours a day. That is creating culture. So, how then is the culture of winning to remain, when those who oversee it's environment are so careless about the traditions which continue that culture? And everyone wonders why this team can't seem to get it together like last year's team was so much better. It's just not so. But everything eventually ends up what you make it.

[JamesTheJeweler]

They didn't steal them. We gave them away. It's not like Napier had an iron clad patent on the way the guys celebrate. Just another change to the traditions that make up culture that no one admits changes the culture when they aren't there any more.

But....but.....I thought we made this hire to keep continuity and maintain culture?

[JMV JustMyView]

But....but.....I thought we made this hire to keep continuity and maintain culture?

This is not a rebuild is what Maggard said.

[jpr9292]

This team sucks. It’s really that simple. Recruiting will suffer, coach will eventually be fired, and a lot of moves will be made. No getting around it. You can’t lose to teams like ULM and Rice. If anyone is trying to sugar coat this I wish you all the luck in the world.