Predict the Record: Ragin' Cajuns Football 2010

[Rebel02]

_ I think we'll just have to agree to disagree here. I don't see how you could say the 2010 Pokes could beat the 2009 Wildcats when you haven't seen them hike the ball one time yet this season.

I still stand by my statement that Ohio is absolutely a winnable game on the road, and I believe we have a chance to beat the Pokes at home. Can't come soon enough mate! _

I just don't see how someone can say that the 2010 Cajuns can beat the 2010 Pokes when neither team has hiked the ball one time this season!

You're not the only one who can't wait. Depsite us not having a lot of winnable road games (at least in my opinion), it is probable that I'm going to UGA and definitely going to Monroe. And I'll be at the 5 games in the Swamp.

[don63]

I think it says a lot when most of here are hoping for a 7-5 record after the length of time Bustle has been here. I like Bustle. I really do, he has done a lot for the program. The university and the fans have been more than patient with him. Bustle begged himself another year and got it. I have already seen him complaining about the schedule. He is already making excuses for the coming L's we will all suffer through. What have other coaches done in 9 years. I was at the McNeese (uggghhh) and the FAU game as you most of you were. We as fans stepped up. The university is stepping up. It is time for him to step up. I mean we play in the Sun Belt, not the Big Ten or CUSA.

[Hardcore]

@ GA L (deeper and better talent)
Ark St. W (we are deeper and better talent)
MT W (2 weeks to prepare)
@ NT L (expect a letdown and Dunbar is an exceptional RB)
Ok St. W (on national TV our boys come to play)
@Troy W (finally win over in their house)
WKU W (tougher than expected but it is HC)
@Ohio W (a little payback)
@Ol'Miss L (see GA)
@FAU W (no Rusty Smith)
FIU W (last home game goin' out in style)
@ULM L (they rain on our parade forcing us to share the SBC title)

8-4 6-2

[zephyr]

_ I don't see why people think 7-5 is a possibility. Going 7-5 means winning at least 3 games on the road (we will not beat OSU at home). Hell, we probably won't win against MT, which means winning 4 games on the road. Bustle has never been better than .500 on the road (3-3 in 2005 and 2006). I don't see Bustle as the man that can get us those wins on the road when we need them this year.

W: ASU, UNT, WKU, FIU, Monroe
L: UGA, MT, OSU, Troy, Ohio, Ole Miss, FAU

I actually have ASU has a toss up, but went ahead and put it as a W because the game is at home. Best I see is 6-6, worse is 4-8. My gut says 5-7. _

I'm just curious but what was your preseason win total expectation for last year's team? I only ask because I venture to say that you felt we would win 7 games or more. I find that interesting. You had higher expectations of a much younger and inexperienced team with more questionmarks last year rather than this year?

The theory that the Ohio game is "unwinnable" is truly laughable. Foo Foo has it right. There is no way that you can categorize a game against a MAC team as downright Loss before it is played. Your reasons for that theory are also outdated. I really don't care what they did last year or what bowl they went to. That was last year. If you remember correctly, Ball State had a really nice year (almost BCS) two years ago and what did that do for their 2 win season last year? Nothing. Just because Ohio had a nice year doesn't mean that they will be able to duplicate it, even in a very weak MAC conference. Oh, and by the way they did beat us at home in 2007. However, if you saw the first half of that game, we dominated them and showed that we are every bit as athletic and talented overall as they were. They did outcoach us at half which I mentioned before and I believe that was the true factor as to why we lost so they definitely have the coaching advantage.

Truth be told, this team is much more experienced from last year and we have so many less questionmarks that I feel that they will be very underrated. The schedule is difficult, no doubt but to think we can't go 6-2 in conference is crazy, considering that the class of the SBC have all had tremendous losses this year and that includes MTSU and Troy.

[Rebel02]

_ I'm just curious but what was your preseason win total expectation for last year's team? I only ask because I venture to say that you felt we would win 7 games or more. I find that interesting. You had higher expectations of a much younger and inexperienced team with more questionmarks last year rather than this year?

The theory that the Ohio game is "unwinnable" is truly laughable. Foo Foo has it right. There is no way that you can categorize a game against a MAC team as downright Loss before it is played. Your reasons for that theory are also outdated. I really don't care what they did last year or what bowl they went to. That was last year. If you remember correctly, Ball State had a really nice year (almost BCS) two years ago and what did that do for their 2 win season last year? Nothing. Just because Ohio had a nice year doesn't mean that they will be able to duplicate it, even in a very weak MAC conference. Oh, and by the way they did beat us at home in 2007. However, if you saw the first half of that game, we dominated them and showed that we are every bit as athletic and talented overall as they were. They did outcoach us at half which I mentioned before and I believe that was the true factor as to why we lost so they definitely have the coaching advantage.

Truth be told, this team is much more experienced from last year and we have so many less questionmarks that I feel that they will be very underrated. The schedule is difficult, no doubt but to think we can't go 6-2 in conference is crazy, considering that the class of the SBC have all had tremendous losses this year and that includes MTSU and Troy. _

I believe last year I predicted another 6-6 season.

Again, it has nothing to do with having more experience this year. It all has to do with 7 road games, games in which a Bustle coached team has always struggled with. Even when Bustle had Desormeaux and Fenroy running the show, he could never win more than 3 games on the road and he could never win more than 6 in a season.

You point out the coaching advantage as the reason why we lost to Ohio in 2007. I don't see a change in that for this year's game. Solich will outcoach Bustle (again) and with the game being on the road, I see it as a loss.

[zephyr]

_ I believe last year I predicted another 6-6 season.

Again, it has nothing to do with having more experience this year. It all has to do with 7 road games, games in which a Bustle coached team has always struggled with. Even when Bustle had Desormeaux and Fenroy running the show, he could never win more than 3 games on the road and he could never win more than 6 in a season.

You point out the coaching advantage as the reason why we lost to Ohio in 2007. I don't see a change in that for this year's game. Solich will outcoach Bustle (again) and with the game being on the road, I see it as a loss. _

The game is on the road. However, I would certainly qualify this team as a lot better than the one that played Ohio at home in 2007. That was a 3 win season for us and nothing went right. I think we are way more balanced this year and the coaching disparity will hopefully not be as big of a factor. Bottom line though, this game is not unwinnable as you suggested. We will likely be underdogs due to being on the road but I think they are very beatable and if we feel that 7 wins is within reach, its a game that we need to win and should be able to win.

[Just1More]

_ I think it says a lot when most of here are hoping for a 7-5 record after the length of time Bustle has been here. I like Bustle. I really do, he has done a lot for the program. The university and the fans have been more than patient with him. Bustle begged himself another year and got it. I have already seen him complaining about the schedule. He is already making excuses for the coming L's we will all suffer through. What have other coaches done in 9 years. I was at the McNeese (uggghhh) and the FAU game as you most of you were. We as fans stepped up. The university is stepping up. It is time for him to step up. I mean we play in the Sun Belt, not the Big Ten or CUSA. _

I can't say I disagree with you... but I have a different take on it. First, if we don't have a good year, we need to get another coach. Let's say, just for instance, we're already at the end of this season and it turns out 6-6. As far as I'm concerned... regardless of my personal disgust with the way many fans are simpletons and constantly think changing out a coach means you somehow elevate the program... there is an element of repetitious failure... that regardless of the fault... it is time to break the chain.

Being that this season has not come yet... I dislike the discussion (knowing full well that what I like or don't like does not matter)... of... "fire the coach". My gut tells me that IF we have a 6-6 or less season... the pressure will finally be too great for our admin to dismiss. Things have changed... ever so slightly with an emerging RCAF... and the interest and expectations created... that we will not just linger on and on with a football program that cannot break through the necessary bowl barrier.

I blame many things for our mediocre football over the past many years. I do not think that WE (fans and the university) have done so much overwhelming things that even with a coach... much better than Bustle... we are going to conquer. The coach is not the only component. BUT... again... where I agree with you is that we have reached a point... not just "Bustle's been here x years and he hasn't conquered"... but the fact that if we go 6-6 or less... it has been become a DISEASE that we HAVE to CURE.

Regardless... again... of what caused the disease... or who is or is not stepping up to cure it. We very well have to cut off the current treatment at the end of this season... and go with a "different" coach... if we end up at 6-6 or less.

Some people... and they are not wrong... believe that a lot to do with our inability to overcome this disease... is the schedule. My only problem with singling out the schedules we play is that everyone else in our boat has to play that level of schedule as well... for financial reasons. We are caught in a Catch 22... damned if we do... damned if we don't. My take on it is that we swing the schedule in alternating years to both grab a handful of money in one season (and maybe knock off a giant or two... or not) but in the following year give the program a much better shot at a good overall record.

I'm not "into" predicting season outcomes and quibbling over who we may or may not beat. I think we always "have a chance"... because we play the game. When I look at what we usually accomplish and not... I don't get silly about believing something miraculous is going to happen. I think we are as solid as ever. Can we win 7 or more? Possibly. About the same "possibly" that I've supported for many years. I will be much more prepared when the final bell rings... this time... to not sit by... only bellyaching on this forum... to assist in an improved UL football future.

I've made a choice to "enjoy" Cajun football. I feed on the same hype everyone else does. But, I am tired of not having what others have in football success... and all that goes with it. I am tired of the panty-wasters that claim... and they are no more intellectually responsive than I am... that we are designated martyrs... and must live proudly without. BS I've lit fires in my life under the asses of underperformers and forever cancelled that title from their person. It can happen... and our administration has the ability to do it too. American Collegiate Football is a great way to announce you're no longer everyone's snot rag. The rest of your passions tend to start operating a whole lot easier once you do. So, it is a win-win... for both those who want a great football program... and those who want a great academic institution. They are not mutually exclusive as some would make us believe. But, when you can't lift 100 pounds... it is a sure thing... that eventually... you will promote that physical strength is not a virtue.

Sorry for writing so little. I was in a hurry.

[Oiler]

This years schedule, with two SEC opponents and one Big 12 opponent, will be tough to say the least. I think it is fair to say that UL, in all likelihood, faces losses in these three games. My question is this. Was it a financial necessity that we schedule two SEC games this year? Having OSU play us at home is a great thing, even if we are underdogs, but putting the team in a position where it will be prohibitive underdogs in three of its twelve games is brutal. It will also probably be the reason we won't be bowl eligible again this year. Imagine if we had a home game against SLU, or some other FCS school, in place of either GA or MISS. Our chances of becoming bowl eligible would sure be better. I guess if we need the money, we need the money.

[CockyCajun]

Where is 13-0 lol just kidding I'm picking 6-6

[zephyr]

_ This years schedule, with two SEC opponents and one Big 12 opponent, will be tough to say the least. I think it is fair to say that UL, in all likelihood, faces losses in these three games. My question is this. Was it a financial necessity that we schedule two SEC games this year? Having OSU play us at home is a great thing, even if we are underdogs, but putting the team in a position where it will be prohibitive underdogs in three of its twelve games is brutal. It will also probably be the reason we won't be bowl eligible again this year. Imagine if we had a home game against SLU, or some other FCS school, in place of either GA or MISS. Our chances of becoming bowl eligible would sure be better. I guess if we need the money, we need the money. _

I think most of us here feel the same way about the money games. However, it is very normal for us to have at least two games against SEC or Big 12 opponents. Last years schedule was somewhat similar in that we had and SEC and two Big 12 teams on the schedule with one at home. Yes, we had the FCS school being SU which is probably more preferable than having Ohio on the road but they are not world beaters and we should have every opportunity to win that game.

In regards to this year, I think the OSU game was something we did because it offered us the ability to play a game of this magnitude at home while returning that trip later which is not often offered to a program like ourselves. Finances are always a part of the scheduling landscape of college athletics and we will never escape this hard fact. The bottom line is producing in conference and taking care of business where it counts. Troy has played similar schedules or even worse and still come out with 7-8 win seasons and bowl games.

[Oiler]

_ I think most of us here feel the same way about the money games. However, it is very normal for us to have at least two games against SEC or Big 12 opponents. Last years schedule was somewhat similar in that we had and SEC and two Big 12 teams on the schedule with one at home. Yes, we had the FCS school being SU which is probably more preferable than having Ohio on the road but they are not world beaters and we should have every opportunity to win that game.

In regards to this year, I think the OSU game was something we did because it offered us the ability to play a game of this magnitude at home while returning that trip later which is not often offered to a program like ourselves. Finances are always a part of the scheduling landscape of college athletics and we will never escape this hard fact. The bottom line is producing in conference and taking care of business where it counts. Troy has played similar schedules or even worse and still come out with 7-8 win seasons and bowl games. _

This is true. Take care of business in conference and we're bowling, no matter what our out-of-conference record looks like. I think the chances of us winning one of the two automatic bowl bids are about 30%, but you never know, maybe the breaks will all go our way this year.

[zephyr]

_ This is true. Take care of business in conference and we're bowling, no matter what our out-of-conference record looks like. I think the chances of us winning one of the two automatic bowl bids are about 30%, but you never know, maybe the breaks will all go our way this year. _

The Ohio game is HUGE and having OSU at home always allows itself for that hope of a miracle. However, 6-2 in this conference is not asking too much as long as we take care of those that we should beat. The key games in conference are everybody not named MTSU and Troy. While I think we can beat those two teams, I think that we are much more on par with the others in coference.