Louisiana's homecoming game is against the South Alabama Jaguars.  It's the first Saturday home game in nearly a month.  Skies will be crystal clear, a 4pm kickoff makes it convenient and the Cajuns are playing a team that denied them an outright conference title a year ago.

Speaking of conference titles, a win moves the Cajuns a step closer to a repeat.  At 5-2, 4-1 in the league, the Jaguars are, at least record wise, the best team the Cajuns have left on their schedule.

Happy Homecoming?  If that's going to be the case, here's what the Cajuns need to do.

LET THE FAT BOYS FEAST--If there's one thing we've learned, it's that the Cajuns probably have the best offensive line in the league.  They need to prove it against a solid, technique-sound South Alabama front seven.  The Jaguars aren't a fancy defense that gives a ton of multiple looks.  But they don't make a lot of mistakes either.  This one starts out mano a mano.

GEAUX 'ZEAUX, GEAUX--This is in conjunction with the above.  If the boys up front are feasting, Alonzo Harris will get, as my broadcast partner Gerald Broussard says, "lathered up."  Louisiana is 16-0 under Mark Hudspeth when Harris rushes for 75 yards or more.  Now, Harris took a pretty good beating last Tuesday and is still pretty sore.  But he's the type that will put it out of his mind and play.  If he gets cranked up, big advantage Cajuns.

WIN THE FIRST TWO DOWNS---Quarterback Brandon Bridge has a cannon arm and can run with the football.  But, he's barely a 50% completion guy.  Put him in passing situations, especially on third down.  The Jags are 37% in that situation and only 1-6 on fourth down this year.

RINGO STAR(R) -  The last few weeks, the Cajuns' Christian Ringo has been the best defensive player in the league.  His knack of applying pressure to the quarterback will be important this week.  The more uncomfortable the Cajuns can make Bridge feel, the better their chances.  Ringo is a key to that.

WIN THE INTANGIBLES--And, by that I mean winning the kicking game and at least breaking even in turnovers.  The Cajuns have a weapon with Cadona.  There will be punts in this game, and his height and distance can flip field position.  South Alabama leads the league in kickoff returns.  The Cajuns are best in the league in kick coverage.  Of course, if Hunter Stover kicks touchbacks, I'm typing this for nothing.  The Cajuns will get some opportunities in the return game.  And, South Alabama has been good at forcing fumbles.  Ball security by the Cajuns is important, as USA doesn't turn it over much.

There's no guarantee the Cajuns will run the table if they win this game.  They'll have four more games to play and three of them will be away from Cajun Field.  But this team maybe has the best overall talent the Cajuns will face the rest of the way. Worry about the road later.  This one is big.

 

 

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