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LA-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns 2006 Preview

LA-Lafayette Football Preview By: Matt Fargo
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college football previews : #100 – La-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns Preview

by: Matt Fargo

Spring practices are in the books and fall camps will be here before you know it so that means getting an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season. Knowing the teams now will save you time in August and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.

#100 – La-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns 6-5 SU; 4-5-1 ATS

Fargo’s Take - La-Lafayette was a field goal away from making its first ever trip to a bowl game but because of that loss to Arkansas St., the Cajuns lost the tiebreaker and stayed home in the postseason. After a 1-5 start in 2005, the Cajuns finished the season with five consecutive victories and come into this year with a ton of momentum. Even with the offseason, a finish like that helps immensely entering the new season. The best part is that all of the cogs to that finish are back this year and the Cajuns are in excellent shape to get the job done. The conference schedule is in their favor but the big concern is the start to the season and their non-conference slate. The rushing offense busted out as one of the best in the nation last year and running behind the best offensive line in the SBC will likely duplicate that success. Defensively, things were not as good but finishing 53rd in the country in total defense was very respectable. La-Lafayette needs to be able to stop the run better or it could be involved in many more shootouts. Five games last season were decided by exactly a field goal, with the Cajuns winning three of those.

Returning Starters on Offense – 7 The Cajuns finished 7th in the country in rushing offense a year ago, averaging 254.3 ypg and they will once again be a potent attack. Sophomore Tyrell Fenroy led the way with 1,053 yards and he will have some company with senior Chester Johnson, a former starter, returning from injury. The strength really lies in the offensive line which is the biggest and the best in the conference. Two experienced signal callers are also back led by senior Jerry Babb who did not produce a lot of offense through the air last year but that was because he didn’t have to. He will have two new starters at wide receiver but he doesn’t have to rely on throwing the ball to be successful. The offense hung up 31 or more points in four of its final six games so it knows how to put points on the board.

Returning Starters on Defense – 7 The defense improved as the season went along last year and with very solid linebackers and an experienced secondary, the unit should be better. The defensive line is experienced but still lost a lot to graduation so being able to shore up the rushing defense could be a problem. The passing defense made up for that last season as it finished 23rd against the pass and brings back five seniors and three juniors on the two-deep chart. The Cajuns allowed more than 30 points only once in their final nine games after allowing over 45 ppg in their first two games against Texas and Eastern Michigan. The defense has to play its part and not put all of the pressure on the offense.

Schedule - La-Lafayette has a very favorable schedule in the SBC as four of its seven conference games are at home including contests against Arkansas St. and La-Monroe, the two teams who figure to be at the top along with the Cajuns. The first five games of the season are all non-conference tilts with the first two at LSU and at Texas A&M. Those are sure losses but more costly could be the momentum stopper following the superior finish to last season. Following that, they host McNeese St. and Eastern Michigan so there is a chance to turn it back around. If everything falls into place, the final two games of the season at home against Arkansas St. and La-Monroe could decide the championship.

You can bet on… The Cajuns are going to run the ball and run some more. There is no reason to believe that they cannot top last season’s average since everyone is back including the best offensive line in the conference. Three of La-Lafayette’s five losses last year were against bowl teams and that will likely be the case again this year with games at LSU, Texas A&M and Houston. Despite not making a profit, the Cajuns closed with a 4-2 ATS mark including a 3-0 record as underdogs. They won’t be getting points very often this year but with a solid rushing attack, they could keep things tight in the first two weeks when they will be getting a vast number of points.