So the QB decision has made itself.

[CajunVic]

It is going to happen with Ben. That is why Chandler was named starting QB.

So we still have a 2 QB system, just a less defined manner of utilization.

[fanof71]

Not having Chris Smith was a big void, no running back on the travel team can bounce it outside the way he can...it would have been huge last night...I'll "grade" the OLine at 70%, too many missed protections (that's the centers fault) and not getting any leverage till late to run the ball. Pass protection, for the most part, held up. At least they didn't give up 10 or more TFL's...

[RaginDave]

For those saying Ben "wasn't" great...

I'd like to know what game you were watching.. Was it the one with the Oline being kicked around the entire game? Was it the game where Ben's team couldn't run the football for 3.5 quarters? The game where the opposing team Blitzed on 60% of snaps and he was running for his life? The game where the officials were hell bent on calling BS on the Cajuns offense?

Even with only 3 points and 120 yards, that was the best QB play we've seen this year. Take away the ridiculous OPI, that first drive looks totally different. Then Marshall takes away the only receiver that consistently creates separation.

I thought Ben played his ass off. The offensive line continues to be putrid. In particular this game, Gillie and Harrington looked terrible. Sorry to name names, but my god, at some point, you have to block some damn body.

Even with all that, Ben threw some DIMES. That ball to Fleming in the back of the end zone was beautiful. The ball over the middle to Jefferson early in the 1st qtr was perfect. Ball to Stephens late was a pro throw. (And great catch by Stephens - Welcome back).

Allot to decipher here. I think we will disagree, I thought the pass protection for the most part was good last night. I thought they actually gave Ben a nice pocket on most plays and really protected him well. I know he had to scramble a few times, but for the most part the plays he made were because he had a clean pocket. I think the run blocking was aw F'N Full. All that being said, Ben played well, he made some mistakes and missed a few plays, but all in all it was our best performance throwing the ball this year. If we want to nit pick about things, the pass he threw to NJ on the side line, should have been picked off and should have been a pick 6, the DB missed an opportunity there and NJ made one hell of a play to bail us out. If that ball is a foot to the outside of NJ it is a perfect pass, if it is 6 inches inside we would all be screaming about how bad of a pass it was, he threw it much closer to being a terrible play than a good one. He also missed a couple of opportunities, specifically on a play to Michael Jefferson down the middle of the field on a single high safety look where it would have been MJ3 vs their safety and I will take MJ3 all day long in those situations.

All of the above being said, I liked the way BW played and think with more time he will be fine. We do have to clean up the OL issues, but I thought they were better in pass protection last night then I have seen all season.

[zephyr]

Not having Chris Smith was a big void, no running back on the travel team can bounce it outside the way he can...it would have been huge last night...I'll "grade" the OLine at 70%, too many missed protections (that's the centers fault) and not getting any leverage till late to run the ball. Pass protection, for the most part, held up. At least they didn't give up 10 or more TFL's...

The RPCA has spoken

[CajunEXPRESS]

Tonight, with all due respect to those who make hundreds of thousands a year to do certain jobs, I think each & everyone of us saw something that should cement in our collective minds that now the experimental phase of this two QB system which has been used the first 4 games of the season for the Cajuns needs to be properly placed in file 13 for safe keeping & future reference. I had no issue with Mike giving himself a proper look at both of his QBs until it started costing us games. But when it became obvious by the ULM game that he was either going to have to poop, or get off the freaking pot, it began to wear on my nerves that he didn't think he had enough information to make an educated decision of who the better QB was to run his team. Either that, or he was too worried about hurting someone's feelings to do what was best for the overall psyche of his team.

Well Mike, in case the Almighty who blessed you with yet another rain delay hasn't shown you the light. And in case the film hasn't convinced you by now. Please allow this one loud mouthed somewhat vulgar very obnoxious fan to break the news to you. If you try to bring back that 2 QB platooning crap again this season, you need to have your skull examined for PTSD because you would have obviously been struck one too many times in the coconut while playing ball. I'm most sorry I have to be the one to inform you, but if you find it too hard to break the news to Chandler that you have made the decision to go with Ben, then just send him to Ragin Pagin & tell him to read this thread so I can explain it to him myself.

Mike, I don't have anything against Chandler, but the fact is Ben is a bigger stronger guy with a big old arm & is tough as a two dollar steak. He has more nerve in the pocket & can get rid of the ball better & runs a hell of a lot better when he needs to skeedaddle than Chandler can. In short, one is a great FCS type QB & the other is a borderline P-5 starter. Ben also has the spark to light up his whole team & is a better extension of what you want on the football field. If you don't see that, then I highly recommend a visit with an eye specialist & a CAT scan for your head. In fact Ben has the potential to be good enough to even make you look good. You better watch it, or people might start calling you an offensive guru or some such silliness. Nice win, now do the right thing for your team & make the obvious call.

Regardless of all the pontificating we lost the games we lost due to others not doing their jobs. Penalties, bad snaps, field goals inside the 30 yard line are some that come to mind. We win both the SBC games if we correct those. We corrected them last night.

[Big Buds]

For those saying Ben "wasn't" great...

I'd like to know what game you were watching.. Was it the one with the Oline being kicked around the entire game? Was it the game where Ben's team couldn't run the football for 3.5 quarters? The game where the opposing team Blitzed on 60% of snaps and he was running for his life? The game where the officials were hell bent on calling BS on the Cajuns offense?

Even with only 3 points and 120 yards, that was the best QB play we've seen this year. Take away the ridiculous OPI, that first drive looks totally different. Then Marshall takes away the only receiver that consistently creates separation.

I thought Ben played his ass off. The offensive line continues to be putrid. In particular this game, Gillie and Harrington looked terrible. Sorry to name names, but my god, at some point, you have to block some damn body.

Even with all that, Ben threw some DIMES. That ball to Fleming in the back of the end zone was beautiful. The ball over the middle to Jefferson early in the 1st qtr was perfect. Ball to Stephens late was a pro throw. (And great catch by Stephens - Welcome back).

100%

Don’t forget about that beautiful ball Stephens’ dropped inside the 5 yard line…____ was a dime!

Ben is QB1

[Turbine]

This isn't complicated, you go with the hot hand until he is not, alll the while you have another staying warm in the bullpen.

[Cajun Soldier]

I liked BW from the beginning, but I think CF has held up his end of the bargain. I don't know what CMD will do moving forward. What I want is to win football games. I said if we won last night, we could make it to seven or eight wins this year. But if we loss we'd be lucky to get to four because it was possible to lose the team. I'm pleased with the win and will support CMD decision moving forward.

[Bandwagon King]

Trying to satisfy your controversy crave?

You noticed that huh? He must love cooking at home, because he always tries to stir the pot.

[MetryCajun]

Ben did Ok but he did not go through progressions and looks to scramble too early in my opinion. He is a big downgrade from our QB the last few years. He does seem to be a tough football player who can make plays if the primary receiver is open.

After six games I think it is acceptable to call out the OL by name. They suck.
I was hopeful Williams at RB would step up and be a feature back, but it is hard to get in a rhythm when OL can’t run block. We need Smith back ASAP or we should just go 4 wide and only run an occasional draw play.

[CajunStros]

We need Smith back ASAP or we should just go 4 wide and only run an occasional draw play.

This. Been saying this since week one. The OL can’t run block. I will say towards the end of the game we did get a few more holes opened up. I think they have improved slightly.

Edit to add: If we can add even a sliver of a run game, this team becomes very good again. We are one dimensional right now; but add something else for them to think about and we become very dangerous.

[Bandwagon King]

Chandler scored his first 2 possessions against ulm. You leave him in and not pull him he may have scored his first 5 possessions. You never know. Then you’d be saying the same thing about him 3 weeks ago. Before you bench him you got to give the guy that won the job over the long haul the same opportunity.

But did he actually win it? Or did he inherit it? Like I said, I'm not mad at Chandler. But if he were really Mike's number one guy all along, don't you think Mike would have made the decision to go with Chandler from the start & we wouldn't have even seen Ben until last week? I have to believe that is what Mike's thinking was from the beginning, or he wouldn't have let this very counterproductive situation continue. And there is no doubt it has been counter productive to the point it has cost us games this season.

I would also like to add, something I said on the podcast which is true & most fans don't think about. Mike can lie to himself. He can lie to us. The fact is ALL coaches lie to the fans. But he can't lie to his team. And the whole team knows who the better QB is. And that defense plays better with Ben in the game. They played better against USA & they played lights out last night. And I think having one guy who I'm guessing is their guy has something to do with that. It's just the way it is.