2010 schedule

[Just1More]

_ I think it's the job of the athletics department to present our football coaches with a CHANCE (not a lock, but a chance) to go 2-2 non conference.

This past year, we had that type of schedule. But we failed to have a winning record in conference and that doomed us.

Next year we will play six teams that went to bowls this year. We will be significant underdogs in three of our four OOC games. We will be underdogs in all four games.

I don't believe it's impossible. But there is no question that the task will be considerably tougher next year than it was this year. _

I agree. I have agreed with the OOC "2-2" philosophy... balancing the money necessity with providing the coach a chance. Having seen these debates on money games versus a schedule that supposedly "guaranteed" a 7 plus winning season... I have given some thought to a variation on the scheduling arrangement.

First, we have to have the money games (so I don't really want to regress to that argument). It would be great if we scheduled lower tier BCS programs, but I don't think they pay as well... and if it were easy enough and financially rewarding enough to do, we'd be doing it.

One consideration on the OOC scheduling philosophy is the following: Consider scheduling alternating seasons with a 1-3 and 3-1 OOC "winnability factor". You still get the number of money games in, but you have a greater chance of the elusive 7 to 8 win season, every other year. Albeit, you really stick yourself with an every other year rough OOC schedule, but I think materializing a bowl game in there, and the consequential energized fanbase... you might even begin to bend the 3-1 "winnability factor" into a 2-2 in those succeeding years. Just a consideration.

I do agree with you, Jay, that last year we were poised for a 7 plus win season and we simply blew it (FIU being the worst culprit game in the bunch). I was pleasantly surprised that we beat ASU and ULM (by a hair) down the stretch... but the staff blew it at FIU. That had made up my mind regarding this staff... and I believe you have to go with your gut.

I would venture that the OSU game, given decent weather, will be a huge crowd. We are also no worse off facing the conference this year than last... perhaps even better. I don't look at the SBC home and away as much of a factor. UL doesn't add the 12th man in a big way... yet... and I don't think any of our opponents do either.

You are right... tougher than last year in OOC by 1.5 games... definitely not impossible to get 7... but more likely 5. In reality, with the SBC, I think it has less to do with the scheduling than it does whether our balance of player talent materializes at the required positions, our staff uses every second on the clock, and our staff becomes blessed with superior second half coaching abilities.

[Parrott]

Just some things to consider: Non-conference schedules are usually put togethers years in advance. Georgia ($875K) and Ole Miss ($700K) are the money games. Ohio is a return trip from 2007. The Cajuns will return the trip to Oklahoma State in 2011 and receive a $500K payout to play in Stillwater again in 2012.

The Cajuns will definitely be underdogs in those non-conference games, but those are winnable games.

Georgia will have a new QB (the Cajuns will return seven defensive starters from an improved unit in 2009 but must have a better pass rush and allow fewer big plays). Its defenses couldn't stop people all season and will be in transition with a new defensive coordinator. That's a good thing for a Cajun offense that should be much-improved with Masson and most of the top receiving threats back and the addition of RB Robert Walker.

Ole Miss will lose three starters up front, including All-SEC OL John Jerry. WR/RB Dexter McCluster, WR Shay Hodge and TE Gerald Harris are gone. QB Jevan Snead might leave for the NFL, with no returning QB with any college experience. The defense loses six starters, including potential All-America DE Greg Hardy and three of four starters in the secondary.

OSU will lose QB Zac Robinson and WR Dez Bryant as well as projected first-rounder All-America OT Russell Okung and three other starters up front. Plus RB Kendall Hunter might leave early for the NFL, and the defense loses eight senior starters, including All-America CB Perrin Cox.

Ohio overachived with a veteran team in 2009 but will lose QB Theo Scott, RB Chris Garrett, WR Taylor Price and two starters on the DL and its top DB in Steven Jackson.

It's a tough schedule, but these are games against less-than-perfect teams from power conferences. The timing would have been much worse to play them in 2009, not 2010.

igeaux.mobi

[zephyr]

_ Just some things to consider: Non-conference schedules are usually put togethers years in advance. Georgia ($875K) and Ole Miss ($700K) are the money games. Ohio is a return trip from 2007. The Cajuns will return the trip to Oklahoma State in 2011 and receive a $500K payout to play in Stillwater again in 2012.

The Cajuns will definitely be underdogs in those non-conference games, but those are winnable games.

Georgia will have a new QB (the Cajuns will return seven defensive starters from an improved unit in 2009 but must have a better pass rush and allow fewer big plays). Its defenses couldn't stop people all season and will be in transition with a new defensive coordinator. That's a good thing for a Cajun offense that should be much-improved with Masson and most of the top receiving threats back and the addition of RB Robert Walker.

Ole Miss will lose three starters up front, including All-SEC OL John Jerry. WR/RB Dexter McCluster, WR Shay Hodge and TE Gerald Harris are gone. QB Jevan Snead might leave for the NFL, with no returning QB with any college experience. The defense loses six starters, including potential All-America DE Greg Hardy and three of four starters in the secondary.

OSU will lose QB Zac Robinson and WR Dez Bryant as well as projected first-rounder All-America OT Russell Okung and three other starters up front. Plus RB Kendall Hunter might leave early for the NFL, and the defense loses eight senior starters, including All-America CB Perrin Cox.

Ohio overachived with a veteran team in 2009 but will lose QB Theo Scott, RB Chris Garrett, WR Taylor Price and two starters on the DL and its top DB in Steven Jackson.

It's a tough schedule, but these are games against less-than-perfect teams from power conferences. The timing would have been much worse to play them in 2009, not 2010.

igeaux.mobi _

Josh, by my count we return 8 starters on D if you are counting Gerron Blount as a starter as he entered the season behind rolle Jr. I really don't count him as a starter as he was moved there after injury. The only significant starter in my mind that we lose is Zanders. Davis was big and athletic but I truly expect more from Gaddies on the end than what we got from Davis this year.

[RaginWaldo]

You know why the Sunbelt Conference gets no respect? because we depend on games against the BCS conferences as "money games" but show no initiative to beating them. The players want to beat them, but when we start beating these "money teams" that is when we will begin to get recognition and then they wont want to schedule us.

Instead of looking at these games as an opportunity to get money, we should look at these games as an opportunity to get a large respectful win. Anything other than that is just coward. We shouldnt expect to lose any game.

[Parrott]

Rolle lost the job first due to injury and later due to inconsistency, but I do understand your logic.

DE Hall Davis, DT LaQuincy Williams, LB Antwyne Zanders and S Gerren Blount. The loss of LB Jezreel Washington could be a factor, given he started nine games over the past two years when others guys got hurt.


igeaux.mobi

[HoustonCajun]

_ 9/4: @Georgia
9/11: @Ohio
9/18: Open
9/25: Oklahoma State
10/2: Western Kentucky
10/9: @North Texas
10/16: Arkansas State
10/23: @Florida Atlantic
10/30: Florida International
11/6: @Ole Miss
11/13: Middle Tennessee
11/20: @ULM
11/27: @Troy

Actually that Ole Miss game wouldn't be a bad road trip. Do some tailgating, watch the game, drive over to Tunica and get a room. Sneak off from the wives and see if Platinum Plus is still open. _

Ole Miss is the #1 tailgating school in the country at The Grove. I went to Ole Miss years ago when UL played them for their HC game and we almost won. It is a good road trip.

[HoustonCajun]

_ You know why the Sunbelt Conference gets no respect? because we depend on games against the BCS conferences as "money games" but show no initiative to beating them. The players want to beat them, but when we start beating these "money teams" that is when we will begin to get recognition and then they wont want to schedule us.

Instead of looking at these games as an opportunity to get money, we should look at these games as an opportunity to get a large respectful win. Anything other than that is just coward. We shouldnt expect to lose any game. _

That is my point as well. Why are we 1A? These are serious opportunity games for us. How did Boise State, TCU, Utah, and USM get to be so good. They took on the challenges, usually on the road, and won enough of them to get to where they are. Next year's games vs. GA, Ohio, OK State and Ole Miss should all be considered winnable. All of them are losing a ton of players while UL will be reloading and should have a good team. This is why we are in 1A. Let's go out and beat these guys.

[RaginWaldo]

im glad to see atleast there are some of us that think alike. I just hope the gist of them are on the actual football team, waiting to shock the world

[Oiler]

_ It would certainly help to play a winnable first game like we did this year, and we can blame our AD for that, but the schedule is what it is. Most people here say the SBC is now on a par with at least the MAC, WAC (except for Boise State) and C-USA. Well, here is Ohio on our schedule who is heavy with seniors this year. It should be a winnable, albeit a toss-up, game. We need to win at least 6, if not 7, SBC games and we are in a bowl. Why is that impossible this year?

Troy lost to Bowling Green, Florida and Arkansas, yet beat UAB and went undefeated in conference for a 9 win season. MT beat Memphis and Maryland plus 7 conference wins for a 9 win season.

Quit complaining about scheduling. It is time for this program to move up after 8 years of rebuilding. We beat K State last year. Let's build on that. We can win 7 games on this schedule and go to a bowl game. After 8 years of rebuilding and several 6-6 seasons, this should minimally be doable. Why do we play 1A football? How do you ever improve the worse conference in the country if you don't play better competition? How do you think S. Miss or E. Carolina or Boise State or TCU got to where they are? Either we are 1A or not. It is time to quit pretending and prove it on the field.

This year 1A OOC schedule:

Troy - Bowling Green, Florida, UAB, Arkansas
MT - Clemson, Memphis, Maryland, Miss State
N Texas - Ball State, Ohio, Alabama, Army
Ark. State - Nebraska, Iowa, Louisville
FAI - Nebraska, S. Carolina, Wyoming, UAB
FIU - Alabama, Rutgers, Toledo, Florida
ULM- Texas, Arizona State, Kentucky
WKU - Tennessee, S. Florida, Navy
UL - LSU, Nebraska, K State _

Who in his right mind says that the SBC is on par with the MAC, WAC, and C-USA. Two SBC teams are bowling this year. There are at least four teams from each one of these other conferences that are bowling this year.

[CajunCharlie]

_ That is why fans like us need to get heavily involved with contributing to the RCAF. Once we start getting serious money coming into the RCAF to help support the entire athletic program, the A.D. will be able to start relying less and less on guarantee money from football. _

TRUE!!