Head Coach: Michael Desormeaux is in his 3rd season with the program with a 13-14 record, he also coached their bowl game in 2021 that helped cap off a 13-1 season and top 20 finish in the AP poll. He is a former star QB with the program starting for them in 2007 and 2008. This is a critical season for Desormeaux.
Program Outlook: It’s pretty amazing to see the transition this program has been through. They didn’t make their first bowl game until 2011, but quickly transformed into one of the premier programs in the Sun Belt shortly after. For most of the last decade you couldn’t discuss the Sun Belt title without mentioning the Ragin’ Cajuns in contention for it. It’s been a small reset since Billy Napier left, and the Cajuns fans would like to see a return to Sun Belt title contention.
How does the 2024 Roster look?: The Ragin’ Cajuns return more production than most programs in the country. The Cajuns had a strong offense last season, primarily on the ground but they have a big question at the most important position to keep it going. Zeon Chriss was an electric runner at QB, but he transferred out. It’s not all bad, they have options here. Ben Wooldridge was decent as the starter in 2022, but missed most of last season. Chandler Fields has the best arm but doesn’t have the mobility Wooldridge does and juco transfer Samari Collier had a strong spring to insert himself in the competition as well. The Cajuns do have two experienced backs returning and 4 offensive linemen to help keep the rushing attack going despite not having the same threat under center. They spread the ball around a lot through the air but have a lot of returning players who were involved in the passing game. A big reason for the disappointing season last year was the Cajuns defense that took a step back. They were particularly frustrating because they struggled to get off the field in key situations. How much of an impact was coaching? We will find out after Louisiana brought in a new DC, Jim Salgado. He will have a much more experienced group to work with thanks to most of the Cajuns starters being back, and the pass rush in particular is a strength.
Screenshot from fbschedules.com1
2024 Schedule Thoughts: The schedule has a couple warm up opportunities. Grambling is coming off a 5-6 season and canned Hue Jackson this offseason, Kennesaw State is in their first FBS season. It gets real in a hurry after that. The Ragin’ Cajuns have tough tests or opportunities depending on how you look at it against Tulane and Wake Forest. The Tulane game got some added spice after a recent disagreement over which program sold the cheapest beer. Louisiana got a tough draw from the East division getting Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina. Playing Texas State on the road isn’t easy for division title contention either. Another weird quirk about this schedule is the Cajuns don’t get a full bye week after week 3 but the Tuesday game against Texas State gives them a couple weeks of longest rest.
Vegas Projection: Louisiana’s win total is set at 7.5 with the odds geared toward the over. This has been an interesting line to follow because they originally opened at 8.5, Vegas was clearly optimistic about the Cajuns chances but it appears the under has been a popular enough public pick to drop the total.
2024 Best Case: Louisiana has an experienced team and they’re ready to return to the top of the conference. The Cajuns won the battle over who had the cheapest beer against Tulane, but now they follow it up by beating the Green Wave on the field. It gets better the following week when they go on the road and take down Wake Forest. The Ragin’ Cajuns avoid stumbling against Southern Miss and then show they’re a true contender in beating Appalachian State. They reach the Tuesday night showdown against Texas State undefeated, but the Bobcats are undefeated as well making it one of the most anticipated Tuesday night games of all time. It’s a back and forth battle but eventually Louisiana comes up with the win. They close out the regular season undefeated and aren’t bothered by playing Appalachian State again. The Cajuns beat the Mountaineers once again and make it to the playoff. The Cajuns get a matchup with LSU but have to make the trek to Baton Rouge. They aren’t bothered by the trip, the Cajuns grab and early lead and force the Tigers into mistakes throughout the game. Brian Kelly turns Cajun red at points during the game and Louisiana closes out a massive upset victory. The Cajuns bow out of the playoff in the next round but it’s a historic season for the Cajuns.
2024 Worst Case: Despite all the experience the Cajuns just aren’t ready for that next step. A good early start quickly crashes into disappointment as the Cajuns are beaten soundly by Tulane, the Green Wave laugh at the Cajuns claiming the cheapest beer and make their beers $1.99/beer the rest of the season just to rub cayenne pepper into the wound. It all leads to a disappointing 3-9 season that ends with a devastating loss to UL Monroe. Louisiana Tech makes a bowl game which gives everyone in the state bragging rights over the Cajuns.
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