♫ Different fabrics mixed together ♫
We were duped by last week’s uniform reveal for the Border War. And as great as that video was, I’m still incredibly angry at the marketing department for pulling the wool out from under me like that.
- He’s not an official alumnus, but one of the most enigmatic musicians of the past 50 years formerly plied his trade at the University of Louisiana. That’s right, folks. Frank Ocean was a Ragin’ Cajun.
- The Ragin’ Cajuns are one of only five programs in the country to ever receive the NCAA’s infamous Death Penalty. From 1973 to 1975, the school was banned from playing basketball. It didn’t impact them all that much, as they won the Southland Conference in 1977 and were back in the NCAA Tournament by 1982.
- The town of Lafayette, which the university calls home, has been a prolific host to many, many minor league sports teams over the years, including but not limited to: the Louisiana IceGators; the Bayou Bullfrogs; the Lafayette Drillers; and the Lafayette Browns, minor league affiliate to my dearly beloved St. Louis Browns, R.I.P.
Other than the fact that it was kansas… what sticks in your mind as the best part of the Week 2 win?
Josh Matejka, Deputy Site Manager: It’s Beau, yo. Could anyone have foreseen a career back-up looking this good this fast? I figured Pribula’s ability in the passing game was better than anyone envisioned based on his previous PFF grades, but it’s hard to believe it’s translating so quickly. His accuracy
in the intermediate game, his touch for the outside ball and his ability to wind up and fire it when he needs to… it’s been the most impressive start for a Mizzou QB’s career since Brad Smith.
True Deck, Staff Writer: For me, it has to be the resilience. No matter who you’re facing, going down 21-6 early — especially in the degree of the rivalry — it’s really hard to be in the comeback mentality. The Tigers never backed down, and I think that’s something fans should be excited for as the weeks continue to come.
Sammy Stava, Staff Writer: The offense is a well-oiled machine right now led by Beau Pribula. He’s got the moxie and the confidence right now with plenty of weapons. The running back room is cooking. Sure, it’s only been two games but with the WAY Mizzou has won — the Tigers have exceeded my expectations so far this season.
Nathan Hurst, Staff Writer: The fact that this team once again looks to know what its identity is and play toward that identity in a way that leads to wins. Drinkwitz wants his teams to control the ball, run the ball, and stop the run. Mizzou achieved all three of those things in spades last week. That bodes well for the rest of the season.
Onto the hard-hitting stuff: Why is Cajun food the best “American” cuisine?
Josh Matejka: I’m answering this question last (despite being the first listed), so let me equivocally say that I reject and condemn all of my colleagues slanderous comments below. Cajun food is, by far, the best of the melting pot cuisine that has come to define American food. It’s fatty, spicy, salty and stuffed to the gills with staple recipes – gumbo, Étouffée, Jambalaya, red beans and rice, Po Boys, beignets, boils – that could last you a lifetime. Get out of here with your BBQ nonsense, Nathan, Cajun food is BBQ food on flavor steroids.
True Deck: I haven’t had cajun food in a while but I think I’m due. I’ll treat myself to a nice Cajun meal when I go 5-for-5 in Pick ‘Em this week.
Sammy Stava: Not a huge fan, honestly. But I do actually love cajun fries. That’s about it.
Nathan Hurst: Cajun food is good. Good Cajun food is really good. But Bar B Que is so far and away the best American cuisine that it’s silly we are even having this conversation. I love a nice gumbo, but give me a rack of beef ribs the size of my torso and leave me alone.
We’ve been harping on the offensive line as the major problem still to be fixed. If you were in charge, what would your solution be?
Josh Matejka: Whatever needs to be done to get Cayden Green back to LG. I’m still not convinced by Giudice at RG either. I’m just a hater this year, I guess.
True Deck: That’s a tough question. At this point, I think you give it another game with the same starting lineup. I saw improvement from Week 1 to Week 2 and I think the group is still learning to mesh. Cayden Green looked stellar in his new position so I think you just wait and see.
Sammy Stava: The offensive line was much improved against kansas, so I don’t know if there’s any major solution other than the fact is they are who they are right now. Maybe it will just take them some time to figure it out and gel together.
Nathan Hurst: I’m not sure there is an easy solution right now since the unit is limited by who is on the roster. Without knowing at what level Jayven Richardson and Johnny Williams IV are playing in practice, it’s difficult to call for one of them to start over Green at left tackle. Further, Curtis Peagler is playing well at RG (and Guidice just won co-OL of the week.) Bumping Green back to guard would displace one of those two guys and I’m not sure that’s the best move at this point. So really, I’d say “play better” would be my solution right now.
PICK ‘EM! Mizzou is a multiple touchdown favorite over the Ragin’ Cajuns, who are dealing with the loss of their starting QB. What do you want to see out of the Tigers in the week before SEC play starts?
Josh Matejka: On offense, I’d really like to see a clean game from the line as it relates to defending Pribula. Get Marquise Davis some extra snaps to keep Ahmad and Jamal fresh and call some more plays for Mr. Olugbode. On defense, I really want to see the defensive line have their best effort of the year. Let’s see some of that havoc get home for sacks and have a good defensive run stuff rate. That’s a lot of fine details, and I’m sure they won’t all get done. But I’ll take 50 percent, I’m not greedy. Mizzou wins 42-10.
True Deck: I would’ve liked to see what Walker Howard could do against Missouri’s defense, but I don’t think Danny Beale will be much of an issue. The run game will be a real test but the Tigers have done nothing but dominated against it. I’ll take Mizzou by a landslide, 38-3.
Sammy Stava: This had trap game written all over it if Walker Howard was healthy. A good Group of 5 opponent sandwiched between the Border War and the SEC opener vs South Carolina? But I just can’t see a freshman QB having success against this Missouri defense.
Take care of business here and win convincingly is what I want to see. I’ll say 35-7.
Nathan Hurst: I want to see a defense that crushes the run and prevents explosive plays in the passing game. I want to see an offense that can move the ball on the ground with relative ease and can protect Pribula in the passing game. And I want to see Robert Meyer get the opportunity to kick a couple field goals from real distance. Mizzou wins 34-6.
