No. 19 – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Season Preview

The best Group of Five team not named Cincinnati coming into the 2021 season is Louisiana. Billy Napier has turned the Ragin’ Cajuns into a recruiting powerhouse in the Sun Belt, and that has led to this program piecing together the best two seasons in school history in back-to-back years. Louisiana went 11-3 and won the Sun Belt in 2019, and the Ragin’ Cajuns upset Iowa State on their way to a 10-1 season last year. Now, Napier has is eyes set on upsetting Texas in Week 1 to make a statement.

Louisiana Regular Season Win Total

Over 9.5 Wins -130

Under 9.5 Wins +100

OFFENSE

Levi Lewis is the leader of this offense. Lewis took over the starting job in 2019, and he has been a big reason behind Louisiana’s success. He has completed 61.5% of his passes for 6,286 yards (8.0 YPA) with 54 touchdowns and 14 interceptions during his four years in Lafayette. Lewis showed off his wheels during the 2020 season too, running for 335 yards (6.1 YPC) and five touchdowns as the Ragin’ Cajuns used more RPO to exploit defenses.

The two leading rushers from 2020 are both in the NFL now, but Chris Smith looked sharp in limited action last season. Smith ran for 350 yards (5.6 YPC), and he could be a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021. Napier does like to share the workload, but Smith is likely to get the most carries since he is the only running back on the roster with real experiences.

Virtually every target in the passing game returns to the team. The top nine receivers from last season are back for at least one more campaign, led by Kyren Lacy, Jalen Williams, and Peter LeBlanc. Although Louisiana doesn’t pass the ball much, it’s nice that Lewis has so many options.

The right side of the offensive line is stacked with all-conference selections O’Cyrus Torrence at guard and Max Mitchell at tackle. All five projected starters have plenty of experience though, making this one of the best offensive lines in the Sun Belt with over 100 combined starts.

DEFENSE

The Ragin’ Cajuns have an elite defense. They allowed 19.7 PPG in 2019 and 22.0 PPG in 2020. Nearly all of their starters return from last season, and Napier continues to recruit well and bring in transfers from Power Five schools.

Zi’Yon Hill is the most proven star along the defensive line, and he had four sacks as an interior lineman in 2020. Andre Jones is a solid edge rusher, and Tayland Humphrey was a highly rated JUCO.

These linebackers are fantastic too. Ferrod Gardner was disruptive as the weak side linebacker, and Lorenzo McCaskill led the team in tackles as the middle linebacker. Chauncey Manac is expected to play more of a role this season as well.

Opponents averaged just 171 YPG through the air against this secondary last year and all five starters return in this 3-3-5 scheme. Kam Pedescleaux plays much bigger than his measurements at the STAR position, and both Eric Garror and Mekhi Garner are superb cornerbacks. Bralen Trahan is out to prove he is the best safety in the Sun Belt.

SCHEDULE

Louisiana will find it very difficult to knock off Texas in Week 1, but the Ragin’ Cajuns will likely be favored in their other 11 games this season. They don’t have to worry about Coastal Carolina in conference play, and they do get to host Appalachian State in their other game against a conference power. This team may have the opportunity to play spoiler too as they head on the road to face Liberty in their penultimate regular season game.

PREDICTION

The Ragin’ Cajuns should be able to record their third straight double-digit win season. This is the deserved favorite in the Sun Belt given their talent and experience, and this might be the last year that Napier is in Lafayette before a Power Five program scoops him up.

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