The Sun Belt Conference is led by the Louisiana Lafayette Ragin\u2019 Cajuns. They shared the Sun Belt Conference title a year ago, but they were well on their way to winning it outright when star quarterback Terrance Broadway went down with an injury. <\/p>\n
The team lost two straight at the end of the regular season when he didn\u2019t play.<\/p>\n
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Sun Belt Conference 2014-2015 College Football Preview – Ragin\u2019 Cajuns<\/strong>
\nHead Coach: Mark Hudspeth<\/strong>
\n2013 Record: 9-4<\/strong>
\nLouisiana Lafayette Gambling Odds to win the Sun Belt: -140<\/strong>
\nSeason Win Total Gambling Odds: 9.5<\/strong>
\n [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe Ragin\u2019 Cajuns did bounce back and win their bowl game over Tulane in what was a road game. It was an impressive showing, and the team hopes that momentum will carry into this season. There\u2019s no doubt that they have the most talented team in the Sun Belt.<\/p>\n
\nCLICK to GRAB OUR BEST Expert Sports & Football Picks for 2014 GAMBLING!<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
This team returns 17 starters from a year ago, and they appear to be in much better shape than they were in 2013. Let\u2019s take a look at the favorites in the Sun Belt.<\/p>\n
Team Strengths:<\/h3>\n
It starts with Broadway at the quarterback spot. Broadway is the best player in the Sun Belt when he is healthy, and he appears to be completely healthy coming into the season. He is a great dual-threat quarterback who has gotten much better at his decision making as he matures.<\/p>\n
Louisiana\u2019s running game is amazing. Alonzo Harris and Elijah McGuire give this team an elite running back tandem. Both of these guys are capable of very big things. Harris is the strong running who can fight for extra yards.<\/p>\n
McGuire is the speedster who can break long runs. It isn\u2019t just these two guys though, it\u2019s also the offensive line. The Ragin\u2019 Cajuns have the best offensive line in the Sun Belt.<\/p>\n
This group is very big and there is plenty of depth as well.
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\nOnly one guy is gone from the defensive line, and this Ragin\u2019 Cajuns defensive front should be excellent in 2014. Jacoby Briscoe transferred in from Miami, and the 6\u20195 325 pound defensive end should be a game changer. He joins a group that was already solid.<\/p>\nI think he makes them the strength of the defense right away.<\/p>\n
Team Weaknesses:<\/h3>\n
The Ragin\u2019 Cajuns secondary is definitely susceptible to big plays, and that can really hurt them against a good passing team. There aren\u2019t many elite passing teams in the Sun Belt, but when this team plays out of conference games they will come up against some teams that can beat them pretty badly in this area.<\/p>\n
Look for this to be a problem against Ole Miss and Boise State early in the year in non-conference play.<\/p>\n
Lafayette had a terrible special teams group last year. The Ragin\u2019 Cajuns kicker has never made a field goal from longer than 40 yards. They also lost they top kick returner from last year\u2019s team.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t be surprised if they lose a couple close games this year because of their poor special teams play.<\/p>\n
2014-2015 Louisiana Lafayette Ragin\u2019 Cajuns Prediction: 10-3<\/h3>\n
I think Louisiana Lafayette gets to double digit wins in a conference like the Sun Belt. This is a weak conference, and they are clearly the class of this conference. Their strength in the trenches should carry them through to a big season.<\/p>\n
It won\u2019t surprise me a bit if they go unbeaten in the Sun Belt.<\/p>\n
2014 Red Wolves\u00a0Schedule<\/h3>\n
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- 8\/30\/14 7:00 PM ET SOUTH<\/li>\n
- 9\/6\/14 7:00 PM ET LT<\/li>\n
- 9\/13\/14 4:00 PM ET @MISS<\/li>\n
- 9\/20\/14 10:30 PM ET @BSU<\/li>\n
- 10\/4\/14 TBD GSU<\/li>\n
- 10\/14\/14 8:00 PM ET @TXST<\/li>\n
- 10\/21\/14 8:00 PM ET ARST<\/li>\n
- 11\/1\/14 TBD USA<\/li>\n
- 11\/8\/14 8:00 PM ET @NMSU<\/li>\n
- 11\/15\/14 7:00 PM ET @ULM<\/li>\n
- 11\/22\/14 TBD APP<\/li>\n
- 11\/29\/14 TBD @TROY<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n