vobserver

I really believe that at the end of the year, Cardinal fans will look back and not feel quite so bad about this game.  The Cajuns could well win 10 or more games this year.  They appear to be much better defensively than last year, and the offense will be at least as good as it was in their 9 win season last year.  Do not be shocked if UL beats Florida later this season.

I wanted to come back to this board to thank the contingent of Lamar fans who came to Lafayette for the UL-LU game.  The Cardinal nation traveled pretty well, I thought.  It looked like the 'traditional' visitor's section was about half filled, and I am sure there was a scattering of Cardinal fans in other places; it is kind of hard to tell when both teams have the same colors.  I also want to congratulate the Lamar team.  They continued to play hard for the whole game; even though they were pretty severely outmanned up front.  I will tell you that even the most diehard Cajun fans were very surprised by how good the UL defense looked; we all expected that Lamar would have more success offensively than they did. We Cajun fans have been on the short end of a lot of one-sided contests, so we know how heart-breaking it is.  Keep the faith, my friends, better times are ahead. Good luck to the Cardinals the rest of the season.

[quote name="coachacola" post="1254853" timestamp="1346356322"] [quote author=vobserver link=topic=101078.msg1254824#msg1254824 date=1346353228] The 'new' MWC is at best only marginally better than the Sun Belt.  When you factor in travel; the SBC is much better for Lamar, particularly in the non-revenue sports. As a Cajun fan, I would love to add Lamar and NMSU to the Sun Belt and go to divisions.  The renewal of the UL/LU rivalry in basketball and baseball would be great. [/quote] I think Sun Belt is the preferred conference for both fans and the administration, but right now seems like the Sun Belt isn't too interested in either Lamar or New Mexico State.  But looking at the map of the Sun Belt, there's only 4 football playing schools west of the Mississippi so adding Lamar and NMSU would balance things out. [/quote] Unfortunately, that is true.  The Sun Belt's eastern schools do not want to add in the west.  They want Appalachian State and maybe Georgia Southern and push South Alabama and Troy to the West.  The western schools would prefer NMSU and a Texas School, and put Troy and USA in the east.  Lamar would certainly be in the mix if the Western schools got their way.  Another possibility is that UTA adds football, and the SBC adds only one more.  Lamar again would be a possibility if that happened. 

The 'new' MWC is at best only marginally better than the Sun Belt.  When you factor in travel; the SBC is much better for Lamar, particularly in the non-revenue sports. As a Cajun fan, I would love to add Lamar and NMSU to the Sun Belt and go to divisions.  The renewal of the UL/LU rivalry in basketball and baseball would be great. 

Game is on as scheduled.  Come early, enjoy tailgating with the Cajun fans. Cajuns return 9 starters from most prolific offense in school history; but only 4 from the defensive side of the ball.  There is a good bit of talent on the D, but it will  take a few games to jell, probably. I would guess that the Cardinals will be able to score some; stopping UL from scoring is going to be a bit more difficult.  The Cajuns have an experienced and very good QB and at least 3 receivers who will get a shot to play on Sundays.  9 of the 10 OL in last year's 2 deep also return, as does the RB who was freshman of the year last year in the Sun Belt.  I expect that the game will be entertaining; and that Lamar will be competitive for a half.  Cajuns  38 Cardinals 17

Cajun fan here.  Unless something changes, the game will be played as scheduled.  Come early; tailgate with most any Cajun group.  Bring an appetite and a thirst.