2004 Season The chase for 8 wins

[SacalaitSlammer]

They were a lot more competive. In fact, they persuaded me to get season tickets next year. See you there!!

[Cajun1997]

Originally posted by Turbine

I thought the offensive line played very well this year and will only get better.

All the starters return

[Sonsissymia]

i'd sure like to see a little consistency in the local media; last year, 4 wins was ok, cuz we won 4 out of the last five. this year we win 4 again, but lose the last 3 in a row. still, it's a great year, cuz 'if you don't think this team is greatly improved, you haven't been paying attention.' c'mon everybody, if we crowed about winning 4 of 5, we need to bemoan losing 3 of 3. this season was a downer, and if the team was really greatly improved, than we need to feel even worse, as the schedule was so much easier.

[gorcajun]

Here is another analysis of the 2004 football season.


Turbine, the administrator has just given me a magic points wand and I will pass it on to Rickey Bustle. He would certainly use this wand to add 4 points to the LA Tech score, and wave it over the three times against New Mexico State, Troy University and UL Monroe. That is a total of seventeen (17) points total. He could use up more of its power but he may need it next year. Nevertheless, the UL Ragin Cajuns with the magic wand power would be 8-3 with losses only to Kansas State, Idaho and North Texas.

IF, and that is a big if, we were to make that wand pass over the other two seasons of Bustle’s tenure a significant use of the power of the wand would have to be use. For the sake of argument, Rickey would use that wand to get to identical wins of eight.

Last year, it would have taken 32 wand points to achieve wins for South Carolina, Houston, North Texas, and ULM. In his first year, the 2002 season, to get to the 8 win plateau against 4 losses at total of 71 points. It would take 25 points to overcome Texas A&M, 20 points in the Houston game, 4 points added to the NMSU score, 14 points against MTSU and 8 points to beat Arkansas.

I am sure that the staff is scratching their heads but, for the Ragin Cajun fans to cite very little improvement in the football team is ludicrous.

[Turbine]

Originally posted by gorcajun
Here is another analysis of the 2004 football season...

I like it, a fair and balanced approach. You get the MWP award.

Let me see if I got you right, looks like we have a half-life working here.

2002: 71 more points = 8 wins
2003: 32 more points = 8 wins
2004: 17 more points = 8 wins

Seems to me this team is improving.

[Cajun1997]

Originally posted by Turbine
I like it, a fair and balanced approach. You get the MWP award.

Let me see if I got you right, looks like we have a half-life working here.

2002: 71 more points = 8 wins
2003: 32 more points = 8 wins
2004: 17 more points = 8 wins

Seems to me this team is improving.

nice

[gorcajun]

The Magic Wand does not "summarize" points.

Thanks for getting me to the end.

[RaginFan2]

Originally posted by sonsissymia
this season was a downer, and if the team was really greatly improved, than we need to feel even worse, as the schedule was so much easier.

Yes, it is a fact that this schedule was easier than last year's. We only went into the season with one or two "sure" losses. But we still didn't have any more "sure" wins than last season. Top it off with the "easy" games being on the road and the "hard" games being at home. If that were reversed, maybe the Idaho, New Mexico State, & ULM games are W's instead of L's. I know if, if ,if .... But sometimes things happen beyond your control which affect how it all plays out. Should we have won more games? I think the answer is, obviously, yes. Could we have? Absolutely. But, as Vince Lombardi said, winning is a habit and so is losing. And habits are hard to break, especially bad ones. We are a short, but vitally important, step away in learning how to win. I agree with most people here that Coach Bustle's honeymoon is about over. That does NOT mean I want to fire him if the Cajuns aren't successful in the next year or so. Just that the excuses and over-looking flaws & short-comings will have a very short leash from here on out. In his 4th year he should have most of his pieces in place. NOT everything he wants to have (that will take time - however long it takes to build a winning tradition), but most of the immediately necessary things. I expect Coach Bustle WILL come through. I have faith in the things he is trying to do. And I understand the shortage of resources he is dealing with. But the bottom line is you gotta win against similar-level schools. Look at Southern Miss this year. That is the program many want to emulate. After beating Nebraska at Lincoln (a much weaker team than they have had in my lifetime), they have fallen apart this season. It can happen. Look at how long LSU struggled until their recent success under Saban. And they have tremendous resources. It won't be easy. But I still think we are the right track. Am I satisfied with the way this season turned out? NO. I predicted in the preseason we'd go 5-6. I thought we could lose a game or 2 more than that or win a few more, depending on how the breaks fell. I would've been satisfied with 5-6 for this season. I agree with one poster who said he wasn't sure if we went backward, but also wasn't sure if we went forward. I'd say a little of both. Perhaps it was a baby step forward (or a half-step). The biggest thing this year was the return of the fan base. To keep that fan base, the Cajuns MUST win next year. Anything less would be a major step backwards. Let's all have some faith in Coach Bustle. We have 9 more months to get ready for next season. I'm sure the staff is/has been beating the bushes to recruit better talent. Best wishes to the staff for happy hunting! Hope they bag their limit on good ones!

[RaginFan2]

Very interesting! Nice point, gorcajun! Way to sum it up, Turb! Wish I could be as concise! LOL

[Turbine]

Originally posted by RaginFan2
sometimes things happen beyond your control which affect how it all plays out. Should we have won more games? I think the answer is, obviously, yes. Could we have? Absolutely. But, as Vince Lombardi said, winning is a habit and so is losing. And habits are hard to break, especially bad ones. We are a short, but vitally important, step away in learning how to win.

Rack him.

[Cajun1997]

Originally posted by Turbine
Rack him.

You been listening to Rome instead of Cowhered uh?

[Turbine]

Originally posted by SwampHound
You been listening to Rome instead of Cowhered uh?

LOL
nah just and old echo