2023 Regular Season Review

[Rainman66]

Some of you may recall that I placed a significant bet on a UL win total of over 7.5. Needless to say it was a loser. When I placed the bet, here was my thinking.

I projected losses to ODU, Minnesota, Troy and then one to either USA or UAB, so my number was 8 to 8.5 wins. Yes, I projected a loss to ODU for 3 reasons. One, I absolutely hate that early of a ROAD conference game. Two, we had such a young team, I was worried about their first road game, in general. Three, ODU had added a new offensive coordinator that put up video game numbers at his previous spots.

With all that happened this season, I think 8 wins was still a good number. Both Georgia State and USM should've been wins, but turnovers and a really unfortunate injury to Burton, along with a bad decision to not insert Fordham immediately at center were costly.

I understand the frustration with the coaching staff and I share some of that frustration, however I think the underperformance this season was mostly a result of youth and turnovers. I cannot recall a season with so many turnovers in the red zone, and inside the 5 for that matter, simply incredible.

I also don't think we will see major defections to the transfer portal. This team continued to play extremely hard for CMD which I think bodes well.

My hope is that next year's projected win total is no higher than 7, really hoping for 6.5, so I can load up the wagon and make up for this year's loss and then some.

[R1Letterman]

Speaking of over/under, how many games did the vermilion write make it to, and where are some of his story links?

[MetryCajun]

I think some changes to defensive staff are warranted. The problem with getting in plays on time and getting the right personnel was a season long problem. I would also be ok with Dez not calling plays and concentrating on in game management and player discipline.
6 wins with that easy schedule is disappointing.

[Louisiana84]

Not sure Des knows much about discipline.

[Policarp]

My 3 toughest losses? The 2 losses that chap my arss the most 1) USM 2) ODU

Runner up at #4: GaState

The game that if we lose on road in a hard fought battle.....I get. The level we played that day was just a complete embarrassing effort......#3 is stAte

Best game?
1) on road @ UAB....Zeon's 1st show was awesomeness
2) South AL
3) Texas State (rare 1 score win post Napier)

[JMV JustMyView]

Some of you may recall that I placed a significant bet on a UL win total of over 7.5. Needless to say it was a loser. When I placed the bet, here was my thinking.

I projected losses to ODU, Minnesota, Troy and then one to either USA or UAB, so my number was 8 to 8.5 wins. Yes, I projected a loss to ODU for 3 reasons. One, I absolutely hate that early of a ROAD conference game. Two, we had such a young team, I was worried about their first road game, in general. Three, ODU had added a new offensive coordinator that put up video game numbers at his previous spots.

With all that happened this season, I think 8 wins was still a good number. Both Georgia State and USM should've been wins, but turnovers and a really unfortunate injury to Burton, along with a bad decision to not insert Fordham immediately at center were costly.

I understand the frustration with the coaching staff and I share some of that frustration, however I think the underperformance this season was mostly a result of youth and turnovers. I cannot recall a season with so many turnovers in the red zone, and inside the 5 for that matter, simply incredible.

I also don't think we will see major defections to the transfer portal. This team continued to play extremely hard for CMD which I think bodes well.

My hope is that next year's projected win total is no higher than 7, really hoping for 6.5, so I can load up the wagon and make up for this year's loss and then some.

Remember when you wanted to bet me $ 10,000? Your best bet is not to bet.

[Swamp]

My 3 toughest losses? The 2 losses that chap my arss the most 1) USM 2) ODU

Runner up at #4: GaState

The game that if we lose on road in a hard fought battle.....I get. The level we played that day was just a complete embarrassing effort......#3 is stAte

Best game?
1) on road @ UAB....Zeon's 1st show was awesomeness
2) South AL
3) Texas State (rare 1 score win post Napier)

ODU was a problem for us.

South Bama was a great win.

Really enjoyed the PI call @ Troy.

Even if Monroe is a very bad squad this year it was very cool to put 52 on them, in the 52nd and final year of CF. Furthermore, our QB throws 18 of 20 in the last year of Cajun Field and we call him Cajun Fields.

We definitely used our QB depth. 3 of 3, all looked great.

Even got to see some Lunch Time yesterday... 17 is the Future.

[ULGrad@HOU]

I think some changes to defensive staff are warranted. The problem with getting in plays on time and getting the right personnel was a season long problem. I would also be ok with Dez not calling plays and concentrating on in game management and player discipline.
6 wins with that easy schedule is disappointing.

True, but I highly doubt Des makes any changes on the staff. He lives in a UL bubble.

[Clutch0364]

I understand the frustration with the coaching staff and I share some of that frustration, however I think the underperformance this season was mostly a result of youth and turnovers.

I have heard this idea of being young a few times and it is simply not true. Go look at the depth charts throughout the year. We are far from young. A ton of guys who have been in the program 3-4 years.

[Cajunsmike]

We only had 11 scholarship players participate in Senior Day ceremonies yesterday.

[Clutch0364]

We only had 11 scholarship players participate in Senior Day ceremonies yesterday.

Having Sr’s isn’t what tells you if a team is young. Tons of 3rd year sophomores and 4th year Jr’s. That’s not young.

[Jacob81]

Having Sr’s isn’t what tells you if a team is young. Tons of 3rd year sophomores and 4th year Jr’s. That’s not young.

Does playing time coming into the season matter or just the class and years possibly on the bench?

[Clutch0364]

Does playing time coming into the season matter or just the class and years possibly on the bench?

A hallmark of the Napier era was how many kids rotated in. Younger players were always getting playing time. It’s something that Des has stuck with. If anyone uses youth as an excuse, they are wrong.

[MetryCajun]

All coaches live in a bubble. That is why he and the AD need to have clear objectives for the program.

I am not connected…does Des just have a bunch of his friends coaching or does he want other guys, but is constrained monetarily and he had to live with what he has. If I were Des I would make some changes if the administration would give me some money to upgrade.

[CrappDaddy]

One thing I noticed dayb1 with this team is they lack size on the los, particularly on defense. I don’t think we have the horses we’ve been accustomed to having This is the major difference between the good HUD teams and Napiers teams. Des has got to go get some studs on both lines by any means. If not I think we go 6-6 7-5 next year.