U. of Louisiana Preview (& injury updates)

[bystander]

The Horns have to play solid hard hitting ball for all four quarters in all phases of the game. Personally, if they don't, they'll be a laughing stock. Sark and Co. have to come out full of fire and rage from opening KO to the final gun. Don't let up. ULL will most likely do the same to us, so fight fire with fire and keep our fire bigger and raging for all four quarters. I want them to head back to Lousy-ana after the game with their heads down and tails between their legs, hoping we are never on their schedule again. HOOK 'EM!!

We absolutely can't lose this game.

Problem? Card starting his first game. How will he handle adversity? We'll see. The defense and the offensive line has to perform to the level of their star ratings by playing with 100% aggression. Hopefully, they're not hesitant on the D side concerning assignments and the like. Aggression in the wrong direction is no bueno.

 

[Pomspoms]

Here's ULL's schedule and final scores for the 2020 season:

at Iowa State Cyclones W 31-14

at Georgia State Panthers W 34-31(OT)

Home Georgia Southern Eagles W 20-18

Home Coastal Carolina Chanticleers L 30-27

at UAB Blazers W 24-20

at Texas State Bobcats W 44-34

Home Arkansas State Red Wolves W 27-20

Home South Alabama Jaguars W 38-10

Home Central Arkansas Bears Canceled

at ULM Warhawks W 70-20

at Appalachian State Mountaineers W 24-21

Dec. 12 OFF

Sun Belt Championship Game - at Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Canceled

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl - vs UTSA Roadrunners W 31-24

They won a lot of games, most were fairly close with one win where they put on an *** kicking of ULM, and the surprise win over ISU. They aren't a team that appears to come out and dominate their opponent unless they are taken too lightly. If the Horns come out with fire in their eyes and get after them every down, we should get the win. If not, then our scalp will be hanging next to ISU's.

Thanks Bevojoe
This makes me feel a lot better. They didn't play anybody. The only reason they beat ISU is because it was the first game of the 2020 season when everybody was out of sorts due to the stinking virus. ISU would have beaten them had they played later in the season.
I feel confident we will get the victory!

 

[Chop]

Online article said U of L had some tackling issues in their scrimmage. Miss a few tackles on Bijan, and he's gone. They will have a tough time blocking our D front. If we tackle well, I don't think they score much and we win. That's on Coach PK and the individuals on D. Sark has a reputation as a very good play caller. He's matching minds against a coaching equal on Saturday--Billy Napier.

UL strengths: D front, secondary, blitzing LBs--Defense in general. If we block well, or even just so-so, I think Hudson and Bijan will make some plays. Our kicking game is good--that could turn out to be important on Saturday (pay no attention to the supposed depth chart on that).

 

[ViperHorn]

I would think that if/when Card starts to falter/never gets off the ground - Thompson will take over very quickly. Sark cannot afford to f**k this one up.

 

[Chop]

I would think that if/when Card starts to falter/never gets off the ground - Thompson will take over very quickly. Sark cannot afford to f**k this one up.

Yep. I'd like him to play both QBs some (unless one throws 2+ picks).

 

[Chop]

Louisiana Offensive Players To Watch vs. Texas In Week 1 | Sports Illustrated Texas Longhorns News, Analysis and More

QB Levy Lewis - the media is all over this guy. I don't think he's that great; especially if we pressure him. Hope I'm right.
WR Lacy - 28 catches. 4 TDs.
WR Williams - 6'3" 218lbs. Dangerous in the red zone.
RB Chris Smith - whoopie... he wouldn't even crack our depth chart
LT Mitchell - he and his fellow OL will face the best D front they've ever seen.

Louisiana Ragin' Cajun Defensive Players To Watch vs. Texas Longhorns | Sports Illustrated Texas Longhorns News, Analysis and More

LBs Gardner and McCaskill, and DL Hill get a lot of sacks and QB pressures. (containing these guys + Humphrey will be our biggest task)
S Trahan had 9 pass breakups and 4 INTs.
CB Gardner had 7 pass breakups and 3 INTs.
(they can defend the pass; Bijan and the OL will have to make things happen)
We know about all-conference returning NT Humphrey -- he draws double teams and still messes stuff up.

A capable D.

 

[Chop]

I think this will be like a TCU game. They've got a good D, and they're well-coached. Outsmarting the Cajuns will not be easy with Napier as their coach.

With Herman or Strong against TCU flip a coin. 50/50 we win (or lose); maybe more like 70/30 in their favor... With our new regime, I think we take them. If we block and tackle well, I think we're a couple of touchdowns better.

 

[RainH2burntO]

I think this will be like a TCU game. They've got a good D, and they're well-coached. Outsmarting the Cajuns will not be easy with Napier as their coach.

With Herman or Strong against TCU flip a coin. 50/50 we win (or lose); maybe more like 70/30 in their favor... With our new regime, I think we take them. If we block and tackle well, I think we're a couple of touchdowns better.

First time ever heard "outsmarting the Cajuns will not be easy.. "

 

[RainH2burntO]

Here's is one take with a few interesting tidbits and perspective...
Five storylines to watch for in Texas' season opener against Louisiana

 

[Chop]

Lots of YouTube pundits put out their predictions over the last few days. (below)

Some common themes (most of which have long-since been discussed on this thread above):

- UL has a good secondary and gets a lot of INTs.
- Humphrey and Hill are tough DTs and will be a load up front.
- Mixed reviews on their LBs. Good blitzing, not so good with run D.
- Good pass D; not so great run D. Bijan and our OL are a key.
- Mixed reviews on QB Levy Lewis. He's good with short passing, but not long passes. He rolls out and throws only to that side. He's a good runner, he likes to run, and he often takes off running even when a WR is open. A mostly-capable bus driver rather than a star.
- Tall and capable WRs.
- UL has a good OL, but... our DL is even better - strength on strength/we're stronger.
- They lost their star RB, and what they have now for RB is an unknown.
- Not the usual team from their conference; they're a legit Top 25 team.
- Napier is one of the best coaches; some say or imply he turned down Auburn and Ole Miss offers.
- UL's special teams are good, especially their return teams.
- Narrow Longhorn victory probable (not all agree with this). I've got us winning 24-10.












https://youtu.be/WUggrsjlBs8

https://youtu.be/Tx8ioYQDjWw

I'd like to meet this dude's hair stylist.

 

[Chop]

Since our OL and RBs vs their D front and LBs is such an important matchup, I'd hope to see a bit of hurry-up. Their D front is good, but thin in numbers. Also, 335 lb (or so) DTs like Humphrey will tire out if not frequently relieved. Hurry-up O with Bijan and Roschon!

Other reports I've read and seen indicate that Sark will run, run, and keep on running unless and until you stop the run. Then you hit them with play action.

 

[RainH2burntO]

I hope what we are about to witness is a MASSIVE difference between pre-game and game day preparation/coaching/scheming/play-calling/adjustments between Sark and Mensa.
Go ahead hit that "Winner" button now...

 

[Chop]

A Herman-coached squad would drop this game, probably by more than a touchdown. Beating the Cajuns is hard.

A Strong-coached squad would drop this game, probably by more than two touchdowns. We'd just have to play better.

 

[nashhorn]

In our recent past it has always seemed the opposite occurs vs what is predicted. That being a team week on passing passes well against us and one that cannot run runs well against us and same discrepancies on offense, ie, we should run easily and cannot get the run started, we should pass easily and cannot throw because of pressure. I counting on Sark era to end that.

 

[Chop]

BREAKING -- NEW INJURY ISSUES HIT CAJUNS' OL

Breaking news: injury issues up front now cause the Cajuns to shuffle the left side of their Offensive Line. UL's usual starting LT is out, and they moved over a guard to play LT. Usual Cajun LG, Ken Marks, will be forced to play on the edge at LT. Time for some serious time in the Cajun backfield for our Edge guy on our right/their left side... (QB Levi Lewis is left handed, so at least for them it's not his blind side). Also, there's a vague reference to an injury to another UL OL--Tyler Brown. So... AJ Gillie--a Freshman is now filling in at the LG position vacated by usual LG Ken Marks (who will be playing LT tomorrow). He'll be blocking Coburn and/or Ojomo! (either/both of whom will abuse him) Not that it matters, but AJ Gillie was a 2 star OL recruit from Natchitoches, LA, for those who care about stars.

LT = now played by their usual LG
LG = now played by a Freshman

Hmmmmmmmmm, might we see a blitz or two over that left side of the Cajun OL...?


Carlos Rubio, UL’s most frequent starting left tackle last season, is being called questionable with an undisclosed lower body injury and wasn’t listed on a two-deep chart released Wednesday. Instead, usual starting left guard Ken Marks was listed as the starter at left tackle and AJ Gillie is the No. 1 left guard ahead of Tyler Brown. Marks, a seventh-year senior, played tackle earlier in his career. Brown was mentioned Monday as being limited with an undisclosed upper body injury, but is no longer listed as injured.

Source: from yesterday's Lafayette newspaper:

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns shuffle offensive line before playing Texas

Freshman starting OG A.J. Gillie, who's going to have
an interesting afternoon tomorrow...

 

[Chop]

More:

"UL finished plus-10 in turnover margin last season, with help from their most interceptions (16) since 2009."

but...
The Lafayette newspaper now has us winning by a TD.

"Texas 28, UL 21: The Cajuns will be inspired to show their first preseason ranking is no fluke. But with Robinson running the ball, Sarkisian looking to make a statement in his debut and the Longhorns playing in their cavernous stadium, it's too much to expect UL can make it two straight upset wins over nationally ranked opponents."


Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football at Texas: Scouting report, prediction

 

[p_town_horn]

More:

"UL finished plus-10 in turnover margin last season, with help from their most interceptions (16) since 2009."

but...
The Lafayette newspaper now has us winning by a TD.

"Texas 28, UL 21: The Cajuns will be inspired to show their first preseason ranking is no fluke. But with Robinson running the ball, Sarkisian looking to make a statement in his debut and the Longhorns playing in their cavernous stadium, it's too much to expect UL can make it two straight upset wins over nationally ranked opponents."


Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football at Texas: Scouting report, prediction

The INT risk is real. Louisiana has a ball hawking secondary full of seniors. Texas has a freshman QB with 5 career throws. The risk of the pick-6 looms large.

However, I believe that a large reason that Card is the starter is his ball security. No long throws to the outside I hope.

 

[WorsterMan]

Since our OL and RBs vs their D front and LBs is such an important matchup, I'd hope to see a bit of hurry-up. Their D front is good, but thin in numbers. Also, 335 lb (or so) DTs like Humphrey will tire out if not frequently relieved. Hurry-up O with Bijan and Roschon!

Other reports I've read and seen indicate that Sark will run, run, and keep on running unless and until you stop the run. Then you hit them with play action.

This is going to be a big factor on a VERY HOT day.

If Sark calls lot's of running plays as you state, with some up-tempo mixed in, Humphrey and the Cajun DL will have to rotate often and eventually they will wear down some late 3rd - early 4th quarter.

DL backups that will rotate in will be capable and decent but a drop off from the starting DL. This should be a point in the game where we can exploit them for yards, field position & points.

 

[Chop]

More news on the Cajuns' OL troubles:

OG T. Brown has been upgraded to a "probable" tomorrow; meaning they may not have to start a Freshman on their OL--we'll see. T. Brown is still struggling with an undisclosed "Upper Body" injury...? So if T. Brown does end up playing, he may be less than full strength/full speed. A less ethical program would pump him full of steroids and painkillers and trot him out there without regard to additional injury potential.

Even if T. Brown does play, they're still playing a normal Guard at Left Tackle...
So bottom line: The Cajun's OL is either: (i) a bit weaker than normal with one starter down and people playing out-of-position, or (ii) a lot weaker than normal with two down and a Freshman starting...

College Football Injuries 2021-2022 - Full Injury Report for Sep 03, 2021

 

[WorsterMan]

I'm hoping for a fast start for this opener... not like terrible slow start opener vs. Merryland with TH at the ships wheel.

If the Cajuns get the ball first - we get a 3 and out or maybe hold 'em to 1 first down. They punt and the Horns drive 75 yards, mostly on the ground and get 7....

THAT is my dream for the early part of Quarter 1.

 

[Chop]

This is going to be a big factor on a VERY HOT day.

If Sark calls lot's of running plays as you state, with some up-tempo mixed in, Humphrey and the Cajun DL will have to rotate often and eventually they will wear down some late 3rd - early 4th quarter.

DL backups that will rotate in will be capable and decent but a drop off from the starting DL. This should be a point in the game where we can exploit them for yards, field position & points.

You bet!

Also, maybe a little 1-2 punch from Bijan and Roschon. Lightning and Thunder.

 

[Chop]

I'm hoping for a fast start for this opener... not like terrible slow start opener vs. Merryland with TH at the ships wheel.

If the Cajuns get the ball first - we get a 3 and out or maybe hold 'em to 1 first down. They punt and the Horns drive 75 yards, mostly on the ground and get 7....

THAT is my dream for the early part of Quarter 1.

That would be great.

Of course, that would require a well-prepared staff and team (which with the new regime, is not merely a pipe dream...) .

 

[WorsterMan]

GREAT SCOUTING CHOP - thanks for keeping us updated on this critical intell !!

 

[Chop]

The Lafayette paper (online) is really good for a city of that size. They're also remarkably objective. They picked us to win by a TD.

 

[Chop]

GREAT SCOUTING CHOP - thanks for keeping us updated on this critical intell !!

Thanks, but what we REALLY need....


Is Joe Fan back!

 

[Chop]

BREAKING -- NEW INJURY ISSUES HIT CAJUNS' OL

Breaking news: injury issues up front now cause the Cajuns to shuffle the left side of their Offensive Line. UL's usual starting LT is out, and they moved over a guard to play LT. Usual Cajun LG, Ken Marks, will be forced to play on the edge at LT. Time for some serious time in the Cajun backfield for our Edge guy on our right/their left side... (QB Levi Lewis is left handed, so at least for them it's not his blind side). Also, there's a vague reference to an injury to another UL OL--Tyler Brown. So... AJ Gillie--a Freshman is now filling in at the LG position vacated by usual LG Ken Marks (who will be playing LT tomorrow). He'll be blocking Coburn and/or Ojomo! (either/both of whom will abuse him) Not that it matters, but AJ Gillie was a 2 star OL recruit from Natchitoches, LA, for those who care about stars.

LT = now played by their usual LG
LG = now played by a Freshman

Hmmmmmmmmm, might we see a blitz or two over that left side of the Cajun OL...?


Carlos Rubio, UL’s most frequent starting left tackle last season, is being called questionable with an undisclosed lower body injury and wasn’t listed on a two-deep chart released Wednesday. Instead, usual starting left guard Ken Marks was listed as the starter at left tackle and AJ Gillie is the No. 1 left guard ahead of Tyler Brown. Marks, a seventh-year senior, played tackle earlier in his career. Brown was mentioned Monday as being limited with an undisclosed upper body injury, but is no longer listed as injured.

Source: from yesterday's Lafayette newspaper:

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns shuffle offensive line before playing Texas

Freshman starting OG A.J. Gillie, who's going to have
an interesting afternoon tomorrow...

The latest UL depth chart I could find still has Freshman A.J. Gillie starting at OG, with injured (Upper Body) OG T. Brown running 2nd team.

And... apparently, T. Brown himself is also a Freshman.

"For your introductory Freshman class in the college football trenches, gentlemen, you'll be schooled by Coburn, Ojomo, Sweatt, and Broughton."

We're going to bust these guys up front when we're on D!!!!!!!!


(sorry, had to throw off the thin veneer of objectivity in my projections; I'm getting quite excited about tomorrow!)

2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Football Depth Chart | Ourlads.com

 

[caryhorn]

The latest UL depth chart I could find still has Freshman A.J. Gillie starting at OG, with injured (Upper Body) OG T. Brown running 2nd team.

And... apparently, T. Brown himself is also a Freshman.

"For your introductory Freshman class in the college football trenches, gentlemen, you'll be schooled by Coburn, Ojomo, Sweatt, and Broughton."

We're going to bust these guys up front when we're on D!!!!!!!!


(sorry, had to throw off the thin veneer of objectivity in my projections; I'm getting quite excited about tomorrow!)

2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Football Depth Chart | Ourlads.com

Their injuries will be big factors in the game for sure. ^^

Where this Horns team has to be different from recent Horns teams to win close games is in NOT making the dumb mistakes/dumb penalties.

Strong’s & Herman’s teams consistently shot themselves in the foot by killing their own drives and/or extending the opponents’ drive.
We simply cannot repeatedly help the other team. We aren’t good enough for that BS.

If we keep the mistakes to a minimum, the Horns will win. This is the key, especially early in the season with the new regime and the new system.

 

[Giovanni Jones]

Heat index of 102 predicted for game time tomorrow. I figure the players will be OK, but I’m concerned about the folks in the stands. Please keep yourselves well-hydrated.

 

[mchammer]

Sark just said Troy Omiere is out for the Louisiana game

We just need one of JWhit or Omiere per game.

 

[mchammer]

No one played that scratchy thing that is worn on the chest.

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