The stakes are higher in the 2005 Battle of the Bayou.
Louisiana-Monroe wrapped up a share of the Sun Belt championship with its 24-19 win over North Texas on Saturday in Denton, Texas.
If ULM (5-5, 5-1 SBC) holds the winning hand this week against rival Louisiana-Lafayette, the Indians will be the sole Sun Belt champion and represent the league in the New Orleans Bowl in Lafayette. By beating the Cajuns, the Indians can also clinch their first non-losing season since moving to Division I-A in 1994.
"This is one of our biggest rivalry games," ULM quarterback Steven Jyles said. "It's going to be nice. That game will be fun to watch. I know they'll come in to keep the championship in their hands as well."
Tied for second place in the Sun Belt and angling for its own postseason possibility, ULL (5-5, 4-2) should be rested and ready to give ULM a challenge Saturday at Malone Stadium. While ULM was focusing on North Texas, the Ragin' Cajuns had an open date to prepare for the rivalry game.
The Ragin' Cajuns were the hottest team in the league going into their bye. ULL has four wins in a row, including a 28-7 decision over Florida International on Nov. 12. The Ragin' Cajuns opened league play 0-2 before their resurgence.
"We've been under the gun here and we've got four in a row," ULL coach Rickey Bustle said. "Three of them have been by three points, with last-second heroics and all kinds of things. This may come at a good time."
Lafayette was named the host city for the New Orleans Bowl after Hurricane Katrina, and the Ragin' Cajuns could reach a postseason bowl on their home field with a win over ULM and an Arkansas State loss to North Texas. Arkansas State holds the tiebreaker edge over ULL with a win over the Cajuns.
Bustle isn't mulling the scenarios outside his control.
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By Paul J. Letlow
pletlow@thenewsstar.com