As we get a little bit closer to college football season, that means we begin to really look at the 2017 schedule and what’s on tap for each of the teams we follow here on 103.7 the Game.
When it comes to the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns, this year’s schedule does them no favors with a pair of SEC teams on the docket. Let’s get started with ranking the 12 teams on the Cajuns schedule from most difficult to easiest.
1. Texas A&M
It’s a no-brainer that the Texas A&M Aggies in week three is going to be the toughest game on the schedule. They’re an SEC team with 11 starters coming back and the game will be inside The House That Johnny Built. They may be trending towards the bottom half of the SEC, but they’re still a fairly good team that should win in convincing fashion.
2. Ole Miss
This is another no-brainer here despite all the dark clouds surrounding the program right now. Could this game be a little bit more competitive like the Georgia game was late last season? Possibly, but this team should have their feet underneath them late in the season and should be winning a game like this.
3. Appalachian State
If there’s one place the Cajuns don’t want to be in early December, it has to be Boone, North Carolina. That’s exactly where they’ll be to wrap up their regular season when they take on Appalachian State. The Mountaineers have been impressive in every outing against the Cajuns and will probably be looking to clinch another Sun Belt Conference Title in this game.
4. Tulsa
Last season, the Golden Hurricanes surprised a ton of people with a 10-3 record, closing out with a big win over Central Michigan. There’s a lot of potential with 14 returning starters for Tulsa to keep the momentum going.
5. Arkansas State
If not for a crazy final moments last year, the Cajuns would have wound up losing this game and would have ended the team’s hopes for the postseason. The Red Wolves are chomping at the bit to get some redemption and considering what they did last year to the Sun Belt after a rough 0-4 start, expect this to be an extremely entertaining game.
6. South Alabama
Last year was rough for the Jaguars because most of their front seven was ruled out for the year due to injury. However, the emergence of Dallas Davis makes this team quite formidable offensively and the defensive line has even more experience under their belt. This may be tougher than some fans may think.
7. Idaho
The Vandals were the biggest surprise of the 2016 season as they ended up going 9-4 on the season. The turning point of this team’s season came when they beat the Cajuns 23-13. This seems to be a coin flip this season due to some changes at special teams, which was a big aspect of the ballgame.
8. New Mexico State
One of the things that hurt the Ragin Cajuns when they headed over to Las Cruces was what happened the week before. In case you forgot exactly what happened, the Cajuns went through four overtimes against Tulane in a losing effort. That wound up having a few key players, most notably Eli McGuire banged up and unable to play against the Aggies. The Cajuns have a lot more depth at most positions, they should be more than okay in case of a similar situation happening this season.
9. Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern is an interesting position right now. Seth Shuman, who many expected to be the starting quarterback in 2017 has decided to concentrate more on college baseball and left the team a week ago. However, the Cajuns cannot sleep on the Eagles and need to focus in on a potential trap game.
10. UL Monroe
The Warhawks should continue to improve in 2017, but looking at the rest of the schedule for the Cajuns, they still are towards the bottom third of the rankings. I like a lot of what the Warhawks are bringing to the table and in the second year under head coach Matt Viator will continue to move out of the proverbial cellar.
11. Southeastern Louisiana
The first game of the 2017 season is a lot different than how the first game was scheduled last season. This seems to be a game that the Cajuns have to be looking at as a definite win because if they don’t win this one, it will be an extremely long season.
12. Texas State
Texas State has to be marked down as a win for the Cajuns. I want to see Texas State succeed, but it just seems like they’re stuck in the mud when it comes to their potential.
-Clint Domingue