2009 Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns College Football Predictions

2009 Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns Predictions
2008 Record: (6-6, 5-2)
Coach: Ricky Bustle, 8th year (32-50 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Ron Hudson (2nd year)
Def. Coordinator: Kevin Fouquier (3rd year)
Returning Starters: 17 (7 offense, 9 defense, punter)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: No

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Offense: The offense returns seven starters from an offense that averaged 33.1 ppg game and 449.2 yards per game overall. The Ragin’ Cajuns lose three major stars on offense: QB Michael Desormeaux (2008 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year), RB Tyrone Fenroy (school’s all-time leading rusher) and WR Jason Cherry (7 TDs). Sophomore quarterbacks Brad McGuire (6-3, 215) and Chris Mason (6-2, 200) along with redshirt freshman Blaine Gauthier will battle it out for the starting job. McGuire has the most experience with 233 yards rushing and 143 yards passing. Senior Undrea Sails (5-8, 200) will look to take over at running back. Six backs on the road have just 70 carries among them. The receiving corps, despite losing Cherry, is still talented. They could also use a big year from sophomore TE Ladarius Green (6-5, 220), who had 268 yards receiving last year. The good news is that the offensive line returns intact. Senior LG Brad Bustle (6-4, 295) and senior C Chris Fisher (6-3, 285) are both first-team all-league selections.

Defense: The defense returns nine starters from a unit that allowed 33.7ppg (104th in the nation) and 429.6 yards per game (105th in the nation). The experience is there, but the talent isn’t necessarily abundant. Up front, they need production from sophomore Derreck Dean (5-11, 295) and his linemates. At linebacker, they bring back senior Antwyne Zanders (69 tackles), an honorable mention all-conference pick and Daylon McCoy (6-0, 215), who had 69 tackles and four sacks at safety. He now moves up to linebacker and that leaves a hole at strong safety where sophomore Chris Richard is expected to take over. They do return both corners, though they still have issues against the pass.

Outlook: The Ragin’ Cajuns had a tremendous 2008, but it will be tough to match 2009 with all their losses on offense. They host Southern (1AA) to start the season and then face Kansas State at home. They also face LSU and Nebraska on the road. The Sun Belt seems like cake after those three tough games. They face Troy at the end of the season at home and Arkansas State on the road. The offense is young and the defense needs to improve for them to make a run again in the SBC.

This Sun Belt conference prediction is courtesy of the ATS Sports Blog. If you are looking for winning college football betting picks be sure to choose ATS Consultants this year, A featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com