National Football League camps opened with 123 players from Louisiana. Nearly half of these professional prospects and veterans competed at a Louisiana university. As the 2007 collegiate season unfolds, fans will see a new batch of talent emerge from the state’s 12 colleges that participate in National Collegiate Athletic Association athletics.
Louisiana’s college football teams represent three divisions of competition. Five – Louisiana State (LSU), Tulane, Louisiana Tech and the universities of Louisiana-Lafayette (ULL) and Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) – are among the Division IA giants. Six more – McNeese State, Northwestern State, Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls State, Southern University and Grambling State – compete in Division IAA; and little Louisiana College of Pineville (LC) is in its fourth season as a Division III member.
The 12 not only showcase some of the nation’s finest talent, they also provide area fans with an excellent brand of football on Saturdays. Preseason polls and pundits have selected LSU as their early favorite to win the Southeastern Conference’s West Division and perhaps challenge for the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) title and McNeese State is ranked among the top 10 elite teams in Division IAA as favorite to capture the Southland Conference championship trophy. Others are hoping 2007 will be their breakthrough year.
While Louisiana college football has just two Heisman Trophy winners, John David Crow from Springhill (Texas A&M) in 1956 and Billy Cannon of Baton Rouge (LSU) in ‘59, the state has provided three runners-up for the prestigious award: Hank Lauricella of Harahan (Tennessee), Jerry Stovall of West Monroe (LSU) and Peyton Manning of New Orleans (Tennessee). Yes, Louisiana has been the birthplace of many outstanding athletes and another class has stepped onto the fields this season as the state’s colleges begin to battle for conference and national notoriety.
Here is a look at the Louisiana Dozen.
Louisiana State Tigers
Location: Baton Rouge
Stadium: Tiger Stadium, capacity 92,400
Conference: Southeastern (SEC)
Head Coach: Les Miles
(3rd year. Record at LSU 22-4).
Key players: Will Arnold (OG), Ciron Black (OT), Early Doucet (WR) and sophomore Keiland Williams (RB) are the players to watch on offense; Glenn Dorsey (DT), Tyson Jackson (DT), Ali Highsmith (LB) and Craig Steltz (SS) head a powerful defense.
Game to watch: Certainly LSU has three pivotal games at home against Florida, Auburn and Arkansas but the game Tiger fans are eagerly awaiting is the Nov. 3 match in Tuscaloosa against Alabama, now coached by former LSU head man Nick Saban.
Team outlook: There is high expectation for the Tigers this season after coming off an 11-2 campaign in 2006 that culminated in a demonstrative 41-14 victory over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. With 22 wins in 26 games at LSU, Miles has (almost) made LSU fans forget former coach Saban, who led the team to a BCS championship and share of the nation’s No. 1 ranking with USC in ’03. But fans beware, while LSU has great talent on both sides of the ball and on the special teams, starting quarterback Matt Flynn has seen limited duty behind the center. How quickly he emerges as the offensive leader will be a key factor in just how far the Tigers go. He showed positive signs by being named the Sugar Bowl MVP. The loss of Alley Broussard at running back should be offset by two “burners” in sophomore Keiland Mitchell and redshirt freshman Richard Murphy. The schedule is favorable with the better opponents having to face the Tigers in “Death Valley.”
Conference outlook: The SEC sent nine of 12 members to bowl games last season, including Florida, which won the national championship by beating top-ranked Ohio State, 41-14. Once again, the power of the SEC is in the East where Florida hopes to stave off Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina. With Auburn down a bit, LSU is favored in the West but Arkansas could have its say in which goes to the conference title game when it meets LSU in Baton Rouge on Nov. 24.
How the SEC will finish: (West) 1. LSU, 2. Arkansas, 3. Auburn, 4. Alabama, 5. Ole Miss, 6. Mississippi State; (East) 1. Georgia, 2. Florida, 3. Tennessee, 4. South Carolina, 5. Kentucky, 6. Vanderbilt.
Tulane Green Wave
Location: New Orleans
Stadium: Louisiana Superdome,
capacity 69,703
Conference: Conference USA (CUSA)
Head Coach: Bob Toledo
(1st year at Tulane)
Key players: Matt Forte (RB), Fred Smith (WR), Frank Morton (DT), Carlis Jackson (CB), David Skehan (FS). Forte is a potential 1,000-yard rusher and Skehan is a returning All-CUSA safety.
Game to Watch: On paper, the Green Wave’s Dome game against Southeastern Louisiana (Sept. 22) appears to be a mismatch but there’s a big factor to consider: If Tulane loses its first two games to Mississippi State and Houston, it will need a win badly as a confidence booster heading into the encounter against LSU the following week.
Team outlook: A new coach should bring a new attitude to a program that has been on a treadmill of four straight losing seasons, including a 2005 campaign of playing all 11 games on the road following the wrath of Hurricane Katrina. But for the Wave to turn the tide, it will need a few solid recruiting classes. There isn’t time for that this season, so Toledo will have to play with the cards dealt to him. His offense’s strength will be senior back Matt Forte, a potential 1,000-yard rusher. But the Wave’s weaknesses are the quarterback position where little-used Scott Elliott gets the starting call and its kicking game. Clearly, Tulane lacks the talent to have a winning season this year.
Conference outlook: Houston and Tulsa are head and shoulders above the rest in the West, while Southern Miss and Marshall should duel for the East title. This is a league of second tier teams that play competitively but have the drawing power of schools in major conferences.
How CUSA will finish: (West) 1. Houston, 2. Tulsa, 3. Southern Methodist, 4. Texas-El Paso, 5. Tulane, 6. Rice. (East) 1. Southern Mississippi, 2. Marshall, 3. Central Florida, 4. East Carolina, 5. Memphis, 6. Alabama-Birmingham.
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns
Location: Lafayette
Stadium: Cajun Field,
capacity 31,000
Conference: Sun Belt
Head Coach: Rickey Bustle
(6th year. Record at ULL 23-35)
Key players: Tyrell Fenroy (RB), Michael Desormeaux (QB), Jesse Newman (OT), Drew Edmiston (PK), Lamar Morgan, (SS) and Korey Raymond (DT).
Game to watch: The intrastate rivalry with Louisiana Monroe in Lafayette (Nov. 24) is not only the season finale but will match the two best running backs in the conference, Cajuns’ Fenroy against Monroe’s Calvin Dawson. Both are prime Sun Belt prospective MVP recipients.
Team outlook: Ragin’ Cajun fans anticipate a productive season and for good reason. Most of their key starters are back, including Fenroy, a hard-running junior who has been a 1,000-yard rusher since his freshman season. Look for more running than passing. Quarterback Michael Desormeaux has been a better runner than passer. If his aim improves, the ULL offense may be among the best in the conference. Defensively, the Cajuns are balanced well enough to keep opponents from running up big numbers. How well they stop third down conversions will be the key.
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
Location: Monroe
Stadium: Malone Stadium,
capacity 30,427
Conference: Sun Belt
Head Coach: Charlie Weatherbie
(5th year. Record at ULM 15-31)
Key players: Calvin Dawson (RB), Kyle Cunningham (OT), LaGregory Sapp (WR), Zeek Zacharie (TE), Josh Thompson (SS).
Game to watch: The annual “Battle for the Bayou” with ULL would seem to be the keystone game but for the Warhawks to have a breakout season in the Sun Belt, they need to beat prime conference contender Arkansas State at home (Oct. 6).
Team outlook: The Warhawks were a young, rebuilding team last season but after winning just one of their first eight games, they pulled together to finish the season by winning three of their final four, including three in the conference. They return with a balanced offense capable of putting many points on the board but a defense that will have to stand sturdy against the run (Something it wasn’t able to do in 2006). The schedule is tough with Tulsa, Clemson and Texas A&M as ULM’s first three opponents. Just how the Hawks do down the stretch after a rough start will determine if this is a bowl team. ULM has its best team since 1993 when it was a Division I-AA school. (It has 13 consecutive losing seasons since moving up.) But will that translate into a turnaround season?
Conference outlook: The big surprise is the sudden plunge of perennial Sun Belt champion North Texas to the bottom rung. Not only did Troy, a seventh-place finisher in 2005, tie Middle Tennessee for the 2006 title and drub Rice, 41-17, in the New Orleans Bowl, the Trojans also had a solid recruiting year that should carry them for a few more years. Their main conference foe should be Arkansas State, which has 20 starters returning. Moving up will be a difficult assignment for Louisiana’s two Sun Belt teams.
How the Sun Belt will finish: 1. Troy, 2. Arkansas State, 3. Middle Tennessee, 4. Louisiana-Monroe, 5. Louisiana-Lafayette, 6. Florida Atlantic, 7. Florida International, 8. North Texas.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Location: Ruston
Stadium: Joe Aillet Stadium,
capacity 30,500
Conference: Western Athletic (WAC)
Head Coach: Derek Dooley
(1st year at Tech)
Key players: Patrick Jackson (RB), Dennis Morris (TE), Brannon Jackson (LB), Zac Champion (QB).
Game to watch: When a team is ranked as near the bottom of the conference as Tech is, how the Bulldogs play against powerful Boise State at home (Oct. 20) will show how much they’ve improved under first year coach Dooley. Boise State captured the nation’s attention in 2006 when it beat Oklahoma, 43-42, in overtime in the Fiesta Bowl to finish the season undefeated.
Team outlook: The son of Georgia’s legendary coach, Vince Dooley, was called upon to pull a team that ranked last among Division I-A defenses out of its doldrums. Bulldog fans should see a quick turnaround but hardly a conference contender right away. There is a rebuilding job to do and Dooley went about improving the team by taking in a rash of junior college players who will give some immediate relief. Playing in the WAC, Tech has three outrageous road trips to Boise State, San Jose State and Hawaii – and don’t think jet lag doesn’t play a part in taking the edge off a team. Jackson will lead an improved running attack and new offensive coordinator Frank Scelfo, who helped develop Patrick Ramsey and J.P. Losman at Tulane, has been impressed with Tech veteran quarterback Zac Champion. Tech doesn’t figure to be a factor in the WAC this season but if the Dogs protect the ball better on offense and avoid giving up big plays on defense, they’ll take a quantum leap forward.
Conference outlook: Defending champion and 2007 favorite, Boise State, is ranked among the nation’s Top 25 in preseason polls. The Broncos’ main competition will be Hawaii, which they will meet in Honolulu on Nov. 23. The question is can former Kentucky and Southeastern Louisiana coach Hal Mumme take New Mexico State past Fresno State for a third-place finish? His Aggies have the tools to make the move.
How the WAC will finish: 1. Boise State, 2. Hawaii, 3. New Mexico State, 4. Fresno State, 5. Nevada, 6. San Jose State, 7. Louisiana Tech, 8. Idaho, 9. Utah State.
McNeese State Cowboys
Location: Lake Charles
Stadium: Cowboy Stadium,
capacity 17,410
Conference: Southland
Head Coach: Matt Viator
(2nd year. Record at McNeese 6-2)
Key players: Steven Whitehead (WR) is a returning small school All-American and conference MVP, Bryan Smith (DE) returns after a MVP season on defense; Blake Bercegeay (PK), Derrick Fourroux (QB), Trey Bennett (LB), Allen Nelson (LB).
Game to watch: The Cowboys host Sam Houston State (Oct. 13) in a game that will most likely decide the Southland Conference champion.
Team outlook: Viator led the Cowboys to a conference title and into the Division I-AA playoffs in his first season as head coach. He took over the job four games into the 2006 season, went 6-2, and earned himself conference coach of the year honors. Returning to McNeese is 2006 conference Player of the Year Steven Whitehead, along with eight other offensive starters. The defense, led by Southland’s Defensive MVP, Bryan Smith, is also rich in returning talent. Hopes are high enough for the ‘Pokes to gain a Division I-AA preseason ranking of No. 2 and the writers’ choice to win the league trophy for the 12th time.
Northwestern State Demons
Location: Natchitoches
Stadium: Turpin Stadium,
capacity 15,971
Conference: Southland
Head Coach: Scott Stoker
(6th year. Record at NSU, 32-26)
Key players: Byron Lawrence (RB), Ray Martin (DE), Charlie Brooks (DE), Clay Broyles (TE).
Game to watch: The annual battle with archrival McNeese State (Nov. 10) will be played in Lake Charles but a Demon win could knock the Southland Conference favorite off its intended throne.
Team outlook: The school is celebrating its Centennial Season with a squad that is both young and experienced – and it couldn’t have come at a better time. After coaching NSU to two winning seasons in his first three years as head coach, Stoker is coming off two disappointing 5-5 and 4-7 campaigns but that could change drastically this season. Thirty-four first-year starters who struggled through the 2006 season are now part of a contingent of 47 lettermen (25 offensive and 18 defensive with four on special teams); and 16 of 22 starters have been eager to get the season started since spring workouts. Throw in a number of red-shirt freshmen and transfers who are ready to challenge the veterans and it’s easy to see why optimism has permeated through this Cane River community.
Nicholls State Colonels
Location: Thibodaux
Stadium: John L. Guidry Stadium,
capacity 13,500
Conference: Southland
Head Coach: Jay Thomas
(4th year. Record at Nicholls State 15-16)
Key players: Joe Tobias (RB), Michael McLendon (RB), Broderick Cole (FB), Kareem Moore (FS), Cody Dimak (LB), Jermain Boggan (DB).
Game to watch: Talk about incentive! While most schools choose “cupcakes” as Homecoming opponents, the Colonels selected Southland Conference favorite McNeese State (Oct. 20) as its foe on alumni day. Pads will pop in this one regardless of records.
Team outlook: Two seasons ago, the Colonels were Southland Conference champions. Last season they finished fourth but enthusiasm is high on Bayou Lafourche as a host of talented veterans return to take another shot at a conference title. The strength of the team is its hard-hitting triple-option offense that’s great for running down a clock but not necessarily the plan of choice if a team is behind late in the game. There were three players contending for the starting quarterback position, junior Vince Montgomery, senior Chris Bunch and sophomore Zack Chauvin. Two of the key players on that title team return – backs Joe Tobias, who sat out last season and Broderick Cole. Another positive is the defense, which was among the best statistically in the conference last season. This could be the surprise team in the conference if all positives come together.
Southeastern Louisiana Lions
Location: Hammond
Stadium: Strawberry Stadium,
capacity 7,400
Conference: Southland
Head Coach: Mike Lucas
(1st year as head coach)
Key players: Jay Lucas (RB), Marion Gilbert (RB), Tommy Connors (DB), Keithshone Dantzler (LB), Tony Richardson (LB).
Game to watch: The Lions take a short trip to the Big Easy to face Tulane in the Superdome (Sept. 22). They could catch the Green Wave thinking about their following game against LSU or still beat up from their previous game against CUSA favorite, Houston.
Team outlook: This school gets a lot of state-grown talent other schools pass over and as SLU enters its fifth season since re-installing football, that talent could begin paying dividends for first-year coach Mike Lucas. The Lions return 39 lettermen, including all-conference back Jay Lucas and safety Tommy Connors. One surprise could be a freshman place-kicker from New Orleans, Danny Hrapmann, who booted five field goals from 50 yards or more at Holy Cross off the grass and was still overlooked by the “Big Boys.” The Lions will have to improve their defense where youth abounds to rise above their predicted bottom echelon position in the preseason polls. The quarterback position has two sophomore candidates in Bradd Schlosser and Brian Babin who will have to learn Coach Lucas’ new offense quickly so the Lions don’t get bogged down in a ground game as they did last season. Again, the defense will be the key but that unit may be a year away from jelling as a unit.
Conference outlook: When one examines the rosters of this eight-team conference, one key element stands out: They all lack depth. According to the pundits who follow college football, a key injury or two could take any of the teams out of the Southland championship picture. All factors being equal, the title trophy should return to McNeese’s showcase in December.
How the Southland will finish: 1. McNeese State, 2. Stephen F. Austin, 3. Sam Houston State, 4. Northwestern State, 5. Central Arkansas, 6. Nicholls State, 7. Texas State, 8. Southeastern Louisiana.
Southern University Jaguars
Location: Baton Rouge
Stadium: A.W. Mumford Stadium,
capacity 25,500
Conference: Southwestern Athletic (SWAC)
Head Coach: Pete Richardson (15th year. Record at Southern 114-49)
Key players: Gerard Landry (WR), Glenn Bell (SS), Jarmaul George (FS), Vincent Lands (DE).
Game to watch: Of course it’s the annual Bayou Classic match-up with in-state rival Grambling State in the Louisiana Superdome (Nov. 24). Even in lean years, which the two are now experiencing, this game is the only one that counts in the eyes and egos of fans of both schools.
Team outlook: Veteran coach Richardson is eager to get the past two losing seasons out of the minds of his seniors and large fan base. His longtime offensive coordinator Mark Orlando (1993-2001) returns to breathe life into that part of the game and if he can keep his backs healthy, a condition that stymied the offense last season, Southern will be vastly improved. The offensive line is comparatively young for a unit that will have to hold off enemy blitzes long enough for the ball to get into the hands of the team’s quick skilled players. Landry is a slick wide-out who caught 55 passes last year and was named to the second all-SWAC team. The other receivers, Del Roberts and Juanmorris Stewart, had 49 catches between them. Three quarterbacks played extensively last season and two of them – Bryan Lee and C.J. Byrd – led the team in rushing. There are fewer questions to be answered on defense, the Jags’ most solid area. This unit, led by first-team all-SWAC selection, George, ranked second in pass efficiency defense and tackles for losses. This is Richardson’s best team on paper in five years.
How the SWAC will finish: (West) 1. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 2. Prairie View, 3. Southern, 4. Grambling State, 5. Texas Southern. (East) 1. Jackson State, 2. Alcorn State, 3. Alabama A&M, 4. Mississippi Valley State, 5. Alabama State.
Grambling State Tigers
Location: Grambling
Stadium: Eddie Robinson Stadium, 19,600
Conference: Southwestern Athletic (SWAC)
Head Coach: Rod Broadway
(1st year at Grambling)
Key players: Brandon Landers (QB), Clyde Edwards (WR).
Game to watch: The annual Bayou Classic battle against rival Southern University will highlight Broadway’s first season.
Team outlook: The new head coach greeted his Tiger squad with a series of conditioning exercises aimed at getting and keeping them in shape in line with his plans to get the program back on a winning track as soon as possible. He will try to bridge the learning curve through repetition and pound conditioning into his players’ heads so they will be as effective in the fourth period of games as they are in the first. Broadway has illustrated the system works, citing titles won by Florida and North Carolina Central (Division II). He was an assistant to Steve Spurrier at Duke and Florida. Can the coach work his magic at Grambling? He greeted such key returnees as quarterback Landers, wide receiver Edwards and defensive back Zaire Wilborn – who he hopes will set the example for younger Tigers to follow. Landers passed for 2,138 yards last season and Edwards caught 56 passes for 11 touchdowns. Brandon King and Michael Rainey step in as running backs. Numbers aside, most of the offensive line has graduated and the defense that gave up 30 points a game last season still has holes to fill. All the new faces will keep the Tigers underdogs in most of their games. The community is still trying to heal from the death of the great coach Eddie Robinson and needs something to cheer about again.
Conference outlook: The race could be competitive, although it will be hard pressed to offer the excitement 2006 had to offer when Alabama State won the East over four teams that finished one game back. Arkansas-Pine Bluff broke a Southern-Grambling dominance in the East that dated back to 1999.
How the SWAC will finish: (West) 1. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 2. Prairie View, 3. Southern, 4. Grambling State, 5. Texas Southern. (East) 1. Jackson State, 2. Alcorn State, 3. Alabama A&M, 4. Mississippi Valley State, 5. Alabama State.
Louisiana College Wildcats
Location: Pineville
Stadium: Bates Stadium,
capacity, 12,000
Conference: American Southwest (ASC)
Head Coach: Dennis Dunn
(2nd year. Record 4-5 at LC)
Key players: Ben McLaughlin (QB), Justin Johnson (WR), Desmond Pittman (WR), Jonathan Zeno (LB).
Game to watch: If the Wildcats, under former Evangel High coach Dunn, are going to shed their fledgling image, they will have to make a good showing. Following two home games, the Cats meet second-ranked Hardin Simmons on the road. They don’t necessarily need to win this game but this will provide an omen for Dunn and his players to know how far they’ve come along.
Team outlook: Although still in its formative football years, LC has exhibited an aggressive offensive philosophy. Coming off a 4-5 season in Dunn’s first year as head coach, the team now needs to develop a consistent defense. Offense will continue to put up impressive numbers; McLaughlin, the conference Freshman of the Year after passing for 2,484 yards and 21 touchdowns with only seven interceptions, is ideal for the type of offense Dunn professes. After all, it did help mold such quarterbacks as Brock Berlin, Philip Deas, Brent Rawls and brothers Josh and John David Booty into outstanding college players. The running back position is wide-open to any young ball carrier that shows he can handle the job. The line is the strength of the improved defense, even without any “star” name and the linebacker position, led by Zeno, should be steady. But the climb up the conference staircase will continue to be steep this season.
Conference outlook: A school named Mary Hardin-Baylor may have outsiders raising their eyebrows in the role of conference favorite, but the defensive ASC champion from Abilene, Texas, is again favorite. Its main competition will come from cross-town rival Hardin-Simmons. The rest will battle for third place.
How the ASC will finish: 1. Hardin-Baylor, 2. Hardin Simmons, 3. Mississippi College, 4. Howard Payne, 5. Texas Lutheran, 6. Sul Ross, 7. East Texas Baptist, 8. Louisiana College, 9. McMurry.
Louisiana college football schedules (all times Central time zone)
Aug. 30
Tulsa at ULM, 6 p.m.
LSU at Mississippi State, 7 p.m.
Southeastern La. at New Mexico State, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1
ULL at South Carolina, 6 p.m.
Central Arkansas at Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m.
Portland State at McNeese State, 7 p.m.
Henderson State at Northwestern State, 6 p.m.
Nicholls State at Rice, 7 p.m.
Southern vs. Florida A&M in Birmingham, 2 p.m.
Grambling at Alcorn State, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8
Virginia Tech at LSU, 8:15 p.m.
Mississippi State at Tulane (Superdome), 6 p.m.
Ohio Univ. at ULL, 6 p.m.
ULM at Clemson, noon.
Hawaii at Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m.
Central Arkansas at Northwestern State, 6 p.m.
Southern Arkansas at Nicholls State, 6 p.m.
Southeastern La. at Kansas, 6 p.m.
Southern vs. Mississippi Valley in Chicago, 4 p.m.
Grambling at Pittsburgh, noon
Millsaps at LC, 4 p.m.
Sept. 15
Middle Tennessee State at LSU, 7 p.m.
Houston at Tulane (Superdome), 6 p.m.
McNeese State at ULL, 6 p.m.
ULM at Texas A&M, 6 p.m.
Louisiana Tech at California, 5:30 p.m.
Northwestern State at Northeastern, noon
Nicholls State at Nevada-Reno, 4 p.m.
Kentucky Wesleyan at Southeastern La., 6 p.m.
Prairie View at Southern, 6 p.m.
McMurry at LC, 6 p.m.
Sept. 22
South Carolina at LSU, 7 p.m.
Southeastern La. at Tulane (Superdome), 7 p.m.
Troy at ULL, 6 p.m.
McNeese State at Southern Utah, 7 p.m.
Azusa Pacific at Nicholls State, 1 p.m.
Tennessee State at Southern, 6 p.m.
Alabama A&M at Grambling, 7 p.m.
LC at Hardin Simmons, 2 p.m.
Sept. 29
LSU vs. Tulane (Superdome), TBA
ULL at Central Florida, 5 p.m.
ULM at Troy, 6 p.m.
Louisiana Tech at Fresno State, 9 p.m.
South Dakota at McNeese State, 7 p.m.
Northwestern State at Texas Tech, 6 p.m.
Southern vs. Alabama State in Mobile, 2:30 p.m.
Grambling at Prairie View, 7 p.m.
LC at LaGrange, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6
Florida at LSU, 7 p.m.
Tulane at Army, TBA
North Texas at ULL, 6 p.m.
Arkansas State at ULM, 6 p.m.
Louisiana Tech at Ole Miss, 1 p.m.
McNeese State at Texas State, 6 p.m.
Northwestern State at Nicholls State, 2 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin at Southeastern La., 6 p.m.
Alabama A&M at Southern (Homecoming), 5:30 p.m.
Mississippi Valley at Grambling, 3 p.m.
Mississippi College at LC, 6 p.m.
Oct. 13
LSU at Kentucky, TBA
Tulane at Alabama-Birmingham, 6 p.m.
ULL at Arkansas State, 6 p.m.
ULM at North Texas, 6 p.m.
New Mexico State at Louisiana Tech (Homecoming), 6 p.m.
Sam Houston State at McNeese State, 7 p.m.
Southeastern La. at Northwestern State, 6 p.m.
Nicholls State at Stephen F. Austin, 6 p.m.
Jackson State at Southern, 6 p.m.
Grambling at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 5 p.m.
LC at Hardin-Baylor, 6 p.m.
Oct. 20
Auburn at LSU, 7 p.m.
Tulane at SMU, 2 p.m.
Florida Atlantic at ULL (Homecoming), 4 p.m.
Florida International at ULM (Homecoming), 6 p.m.
Boise State at Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m.
McNeese State at Nicholls State (Homecoming), 6 p.m.
Northwestern State at Sam Houston State, 2 p.m.
Central Arkansas at Southeastern La., 6 p.m.
Alcorn State at Southern, 3 p.m.
Grambling at Jackson State, 4 p.m.
East Texas Baptist at LC (Homecoming), 6 p.m.
Oct. 27
Memphis at Tulane (Superdome)(Homecoming), 2 p.m.
ULM at Florida Atlantic, TBA
Louisiana Tech at Utah State, 2 p.m.
Southeastern La. at McNeese State (Homecoming), 7 p.m.
Texas State at Northwestern State (Homecoming), 2 p.m.
Nicholls State at Central Arkansas, 6 p.m.
Texas Southern at Grambling (Homecoming), 3 p.m.
LC at Howard Payne, 2 p.m.
Nov. 3
LSU at Alabama, TBA
Tulsa at Tulane (Superdome) 6:30 p.m.
ULL at Tennessee, 3 p.m.
Middle Tennessee at ULM, 6 p.m.
Louisiana Tech at Idaho, 4 p.m.
McNeese State at Stephen F. Austin, 6 p.m.
Northwestern State at Ole Miss, 1 p.m.
Nicholls State at Sam Houston State, 6 p.m.
Southeastern La. at Texas State, 7 p.m.
Southern at Texas Southern, TBA
Grambling at Alabama State, 2 p.m.
Sul Ross at LC, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10
Louisiana Tech at LSU (Homecoming), 7 p.m.
Texas-El Paso at Tulane (Superdome), 6 p.m.
ULL at Middle Tennessee, 2 p.m.
Grambling at ULM, 4 p.m.
Northwestern State at McNeese State, 7 p.m.
Texas State at Nicholls State, 2 p.m.
Sam Houston State at Southeastern La. (Homecoming), 6 p.m.
Southern at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 4 p.m.
LC at Texas Lutheran, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17
LSU at Ole Miss, TBA
Tulane at Rice, 2 p.m.
ULL at Florida International, 6 p.m.
ULM at Alabama, TBA
San Jose State at Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m.
Central Arkansas at McNeese State, 7 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin at Northwestern State, 2 p.m.
Nicholls State at Southeastern La., 6 p.m.
Nov. 23
Arkansas at LSU, 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 24
Tulane at East Carolina, noon
ULM at ULL, 6 p.m.
Southern vs. Grambling in New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1
Louisiana Tech at Nevada (Reno). 3 p.m.
TBA – To be announced. Some games subject to television network schedule times.
