1. Your Cajuns must get off to a better start in nonconference play.
Last season, the particular Cajuns' desires regarding kicking down the doors regarding the college football establishment went up in smoke through Week 2. they had been overconfident along with subsequently trounced at home by simply Louisiana Tech, permitting doubt to creep inside and setting happens for an ugly 1-3 start. They Will had been capable of rally for his or her fourth straight 9-4 season, nevertheless they required to go 7-1 throughout conference play to obtain there.
That can't take place in 2015. In the particular event that the Cajuns want to continue to maneuver forward, they'll need to complete much better throughout nonconference play. This particular year's rematch against Louisiana Tech ought to give a solid barometer regarding the area exactly where the team is.
2. Your new defensive coaching staff must set up a ball-hawking mentality.
Want for you to know 1 reason the Cajuns struggled so badly out in the gate last season? The idea took ten quarters with regard to them to force his or her 1st turnover, plus they entered conference play with a minus-9 turnover margin.
If there's a essential factor coaches Melvin Smith, Charlie Harbison along with Mike Lucas have got shown, it's that their particular defenses force turnovers. Auburn had 22 interceptions final season along with Smith as well as Harbison coaching defensive backs, and also Lucas' Northwestern State defense forced 30 turnovers last year. Extra defensive playmaking could go a considerable ways for the Cajuns.
3. The Particular new quarterback must be nearly as good as Terrance Broadway -- or even better.
It's absolutely no tiny thing becoming tabbed as the guy slotenmaker de pijp to exchange the actual school's all-time leader throughout total yards as well as passing efficiency, along with possibly it's unfair to anticipate him in order to compete at a similar or perhaps far better level. Nevertheless regarding as historically excellent as Broadway was, the Cajuns can't see a drop-off with the positioning as well as anticipate being successful.
The biggest area involving improvement wants in order to occur inside the passing game. A New run-heavy offense as well as an injured Jamal Robinson did not help, nevertheless the Cajuns finished last season 100th nationally in passing yards per game, in inclusion to become able to their 6.7 yards per attempt ranked 81st. That Will wants to improve.
4. Elijah McGuire must demonstrate he's effective at handling the particular load -- and remaining healthy.
McGuire had been certainly one of the actual nation's nearly all explosive players in the offense the particular Cajuns controlled inside the previous years, averaging 8.9 yards for each touch as being a dual-threat alternative out in the backfield.
But a lot more is certainly going to be requested regarding McGuire this coming year as the unquestioned featured player upon offense. He averaged 12.9 touches, combining carries along with receptions, per game over the initial a couple of many years of his career, along with in which number will be likely likely to approach the 20 range throughout 2015. He's absolutely critical for the Cajuns' success, and they are hoping the additional workload does not become a lot of of a burden.
5. The Actual third stage -- namely, your freshman specialists -- must develop in a hurry.
Don't reduce the significance of exactly what the Cajuns are now being forced to complete this season making use regarding their kicker as well as punter. They're replacing the particular school's all-time leader throughout punting typical along with a kicker who was productive about 81.8 percent of his attempts with a pair of freshmen.
While the Cajuns didn't play within many near games last season -- only one has been decided simply by much less when compared to end up being able to a touchdown -- they aren't guaranteed being therefore lucky this year. field objectives and also area position play a huge role within selecting a game, as well as the Cajuns need their particular youngsters for you to come through.
POSITION BATTLES TO WATCH
Quarterback: Hudspeth will delay until the season opener to reveal his option to replace Terrance Broadway, but he explained the particular battle among Brooks Haack, Jalen Nixon and also Jordan Davis will rage via preseason practice.
Left tackle: Mykhael Quave's transfer in order to left guard this spring opened the window for any competition among Grant Horst and also D'Aquin Withrow for this spot. Withrow spent last year because the No. two option, however Horst is currently leading.
Cornerback: Simeon Thomas provides all nevertheless locked down 1 starting job. Jeryl Brazil, Jevante Watson, Troy McCollum plus a host associated with freshmen along with junior-college transfers will vie for that occupation opposite him. Brazil looks like the early front-runner.
No. 2 running back: Elijah McGuire will have the lion's discuss of the carries, but the Cajuns need a reliable secondary option. Veterans Torrey Pierce as well as Effrem Reed will battle Darius Hoggins, Montrel Carter as well as freshman Jordan Wright.
WHAT THE CAJUNS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO
The quarterback decision: Actually since Terrance Broadway played his final down, the actual conversation provides shifted in order to that his replacement will be. Coach Mark Hudspeth will field endless questions about it again, however he said he won't allow anybody be aware of winner until the particular opener Sept. 5.
A wholesome No. 4: Jamal Robinson proved final season that, when healthy, he's a force being reckoned with. He needs for you to be ready for you to go following multiple injuries derailed his 2014 season, that ought to open up the actual offense.
Eli your exploder: Could this function as the yr Elijah McGuire is totally unleashed? He won't must split carries together with Alonzo Harris anymore, meaning he must maintain line for an even bigger season as compared to the major one in which created him the actual 2014 Sun Belt Player in the Year.
Sophomore slump-busters: Your Cajuns lost any deep senior class, however they recreate the variety of impactful freshmen. Tracy Walker, Travis Crawford, Taboris Lee as well as Gabe Fuselier are usually just about all searching to make a large jump inside 2015.
THREE NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
CB Jeryl Brazil: The Particular former LSU athlete will come towards the Cajuns looking to bolster any secondary that gave up a quantity of large plays last season, and in addition the coaches could furthermore discover his blazing speed useful inside the return game.
DE Mario Osborne: Though defensive line will be one of the toughest areas to destroy throughout as a genuine freshman, Osborne's chiseled physique can be ready for that university game, and the Cajuns tend to be replacing two starters on the line.
TE Carlos Robinson: While Matt Barnes had been lost for that season throughout summer workouts, it opened the window for Robinson for you to contribute correct away. the former prep wideout could supply a receiving threat in the position.
KEY DATES
WEDNESDAY: Document date, Media Day
THURSDAY: Initial day of practice
AUG. 12: Very first scrimmage
Sept. 5: Season opener in Kentucky
DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
Wide receiver (X)
4 Jamal Robinson 6-4 205 Sr.
18 Devin Scott 5-11 182 Jr.
Wide receiver (H)
2 Al Riles 5-10 215 Jr.
13 Gabe Fusilier 5-11 195 So.
Left tackle
72 Grant Horst 6-5 281 So.
65 Jesse Freeman 6-4 311 RFr.
Left guard
70 Mykhael Quave 6-5 294 Sr.
64 Nick Dugger 6-5 300 RFr.
Center
79 Eddie Gordon 6-1 320 Jr.
72 Grant Horst -or- 6-5 281 So.
64 Nick Dugger 6-5 300 RFr.
Right guard
77 Donovan Williams 6-3 312 Sr.
76 Adrian Goodacre 6-4 305 RFr.
Right tackle
68 Octravian Anderson 6-4 295 Jr.
60 D'Aquin Withrow 6-6 304 So.
Tight finish (Y)
81 Nick Byrne 6-3 228 Jr.
88 Evan Tatford 6-5 242 Sr.
Wide receiver (Z)
7 Jared Johnson 6-5 215 Jr.
18 Devin Scott 5-11 182 Jr.
Quarterback
9 Brooks Haack -or- 6-1 219 Jr.
6 Jalen Nixon -or- 6-2 226 Jr.
3 Jordan Davis 6-3 205 RFr.
Running back
15 Elijah McGuire 5-11 208 Jr.
25 Torrey Pierce 5-9 171 Sr.
Defense
Defensive end
96 Blain Winston 6-4 300 Sr.
57 Chris Prater 6-5 258 Sr.
Nose tackle
97 Sherard Johnson 6-8 374 So.
90 Jacoby Briscoe 6-3 325 Jr.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPPD8woQaFo
Defensive tackle
55 Karmichael Dunbar 6-2 317 Jr.
98 Ladarrius Kidd 6-3 300 RFr.
Buck
44 Kevin Fouquier 6-4 235 Jr.
39 Darzil Washington 6-3 243 Sr.
Outside linebacker
7 Otha Peters 6-2 228 Jr.
29 Tyren Alexander 6-0 210 Sr.
Middle linebacker
4 Tre'maine Lightfoot 6-0 230 So.
30 T.J. Posey 6-0 242 So.
Outside linebacker
52 Dominique Tovell 6-2 248 Jr.
27 T.J. Worthy 6-2 203 Sr.
Left cornerback
8 Simeon Thomas 6-3 197 So.
19 Troy McCollum 6-0 177 Jr.
Free safety
23 Tracey Walker 6-2 198 So.
20 Dominick Jones 5-11 189 Jr.
Strong safety
16 Travis Crawford 5-11 193 So.
31 Corey Turner 6-1 198 RFr.
Right cornerback
11 Jevante Watson 5-10 175 Jr.
10 Christian Goodlett 6-0 185 Jr.
Special teams
Kicker/kickoff specialist
47 Dylan Scheuirch 5-8 197 RFr.
83 Carlos Alvarez 5-9 195 Sr.
Punter
37 Steven Coutts 6-4 200 Fr.
83 Carlos Alvarez 5-9 195 Sr.
Kick returner
13 Gabe Fusilier 5-11 195 So.
23 Darius Hoffins 5-7 176 So.
Punt returner
15 Elijah McGuire -or- 5-11 208 Jr.
25 Torrey Pierce 5-9 171 Sr.
