The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns vs. Georgia State Panthers Not-Quite Preview

After the worst month of the Mark Hudspeth era, I struggled with writing this preview. There's really no reason for me to struggle. Coming into the season, losses to both Ole Miss and Boise State weren't exactly far fetched ideas. And the most unexpected loss, to Louisiana Tech, happened nearly a month ago. Sure, they haven't beaten an FBS opponent yet this season, but the Cajuns have't played a single down of conference football yet either.

It's an odd place to be in. From the fourth quarter of the Tech game, all throughout September, it felt like this season was lost, despite knowing that nearly every goal for this season was still in front of UL. Sure they won't represent the G5 in one of the big six bowl games, but that was more of a fevered dream than an expectation.

A 10-win season is still a possibility, but it will require this team to live up to their potential. I'm still not convinced we've seen the real Ragin Cajuns. This week needs to mark a new season. We need to see a new secondary, a new running game, and a new Broadway.

Believe it or not, the Cajuns can still go undefeated. This needs to be the game they realize that. The Cajuns have the potential to come out and stomp a mud hole in Georgia State. And don't be fooled. The Panthers may have given ULM fits, but that's because the Warhawks suck this year. They just don't know it yet.

This game needs to be a route. This team needs a confidence boost, and they need to see what they really are. After this game, there are no mulligans. UL will face their three biggest road blocks in successive weeks after tomorrow night. Drop one, and the Cajuns will be lucky to get New Orleans. Drop two, and all bets are off.

But that isn't what was expected of this team in August. The Cajuns were a unanimous pick to win the conference for a reason. It might have taken a month longer than we expected, but preseason is finally over. It's time to live up to the hype. It's time to set the record straight. It's time to play some damn football.

Let's geaux.

The Basics

Who: Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (0-0) vs. It Doesn't Matter (3-1)

Where: Cajun Damn Field (also ESPN3)

When: 6:00 PM CT, Not September 4, 2014

Weather: 67°F, 100% Chance of Redemption

Know Your Enemy

They wear blue and are in the damn way.

Players to Watch

Georgia State

• The Quarterback - He's the guy on the ground.

• The Running Back - He's the other guy on the ground.

• Some Random DB - He's the guy who just got smoked.

UL

• Everyone