When the 2008 Louisiana football schedule was released the first thing everyone notices is that Cajun Field will be a stranger to the Cajuns in the first half of the season.
The first five out of six games will be played away from the friendly confines of "The Swamp.: And, with Southern Miss, Kansas State, Illinois and SBC Contender ULM among those, a good start to the season won't be easy.
But hey, the Cajuns aren't alone this year. And, other teams have been able to overcome their early season challenges.
Defending champion Florida Atlantic has four of its first five (and six of its first eight) away from Lockhart Stadium, including trips to Texas, Michigan State and Minnesota.
Troy plays five if its first six and seven of its first nine away from Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium. And that includes trips to LSU, Ohio State and Oklahoma State.
And, as Mario Cristobal tries to build the program at FIU, he'll get to do it with six of eight on the road to start the season, including trips to Kansas and Iowa. Cristobal can take (a little) solace in that FIU is the ONLY Sun Belt team that doesn't have three in a row on the road at some point during the season.
Others in the SBC have it a bit easier early in the year. Arkansas State will play four of its first six at used-to-be Indian Stadium....but that means five of their last six are on the road. ULM has six of nine at home before going on the road for the last three. Middle Tennessee plays three of their first five at Floyd Stadium.
But a tough road early doesn't mean failure for your season. Two years ago, after a season opening win over Alabama State, Troy went on the road for four in a row and lost all four. After that 1-4 start, the Trojans returned home and won three straight on their way to the SBC championship. They then won the New Orleans Bowl by four touchdowns.
Last season, FAU only played four games in its home stadium. After opening at home, FAU then played four in a row away from Fort Lauderdale. But, they went 3-2 in those first five and hammered Memphis in the New Orleans Bowl.
The schedule is not easy for the Cajuns this year. A tough start to the season will have fans depressed. But no Rickey Bustle team has ever quit. And, sooner or later, they'll get to play at home.
No excuses. Just go play.