There’s a Lot to Like About the Cajuns’ Football Schedule

There hasn’t been a time I can remember when the Sun Belt Conference has released a schedule and Cajun fans haven’t reacted like the league was out to “get” them. Now, much of that had to do with the countless times the Cajuns’ basketball team was sent to Bowling Green to play Western Kentucky and, honestly, that was a legitimate point.

And, I’m sure the most caustic of Cajun fans can find something wrong with the 2015 schedule released today by the Sun Belt Conference. Those will be hard to convince this is the best schedule the Cajuns have had since I can remember. Don’t believe me? Here are some reasons why I love this schedule.

SIX SATURDAY HOME GAMES—In case you were wondering, it’s the first time since 2009. Last year the Cajuns had six home games, but one of them was on a weeknight. While national TV exposure is great, it’s equally great from an economic standpoint for the Cajuns to be playing on a night when football is supposed to be played.
NO CONFERENCE GAMES UNTIL OCTOBER 10^TH –The Cajuns will have a lot of holes to fill after the graduation of their quarterback, two offensive lineman, a wide receiver, the starting tight end, the second leading career rushing leader by a running back and two all-conference defensive linemen, among others. The Cajuns won’t have to play a conference game until week six. That should give Mark Hudspeth and his staff plenty of time to get everyone moving in the same direction.
BACK TO BACK ROAD GAMES ONLY ONCE—This is big. Now, unfortunately, the two road games come five days apart. But every other team in the Sun Belt plays back to back road games at least twice during the season and three of them (Arkansas State, UL Monroe, New Mexico State) have three games in a row away from their home fans. Last year the Cajuns played only one Saturday home game in the month of October. This schedule is much better for the fans, who won’t get much of a chance to miss the home team because they won’t be gone for long periods of time.
THREE LOUISIANA SCHOOLS ON THE SCHEDULE—The Cajuns have played Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State more than any other Louisiana schools in the history of the program. And, the Cajuns play them both this year. Add ULM to that mix and you’ve got a schedule that should get the fans’ blood pumping.
A WINNABLE (?) SEC ROAD GAME---The Kentucky Wildcats did not go to a bowl last year. There’s no guarantee the Cajuns can go to Commonwealth Stadium and win, but they’ll have a better chance in Lexington than they would in Tuscaloosa.
TWO NATIONAL TELEVISION EXPOSURES---Both are road games, but the tradeoff is having all of your home games on Saturday night (see #1). Despite the fact the Cajuns have gotten national exposure the last few years, you ALWAYS want to be on national tv whenever possible, even if it means playing on non-traditional nights.
NO LSU CONFLICTS---We'd all like to think that when LSU and UL both play at home the crowd isn't affected. Reality check. LSU affects the crowd less than in the past but there's still an effect. In 2015 there are NO Louisiana home games that conflict with LSU home games. None.

No schedule is perfect…and certainly this one isn’t, either. Akron isn’t going to get Cajun fans rushing to buy tickets in advance, but they owe the Cajuns a trip. And, Akron at home is better than a seventh road game. And, while Northwestern State won’t travel like McNeese will in 2016, it’s the home opener and fans will be there in droves. There’s a lot to like about the 2015 football schedule and only the most cynical of fans are going to disagree.