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College Football 2010 Rankings: No. 103 Louisiana-Lafayette
posted by andrea adelson on May, 20 2010 6:00 AM

Today at No. 103:Louisiana-Lafayette

Why is Louisiana-Lafayette No. 103? Louisiana-Lafayette has been a .500 program over the last several seasons, so why a slip in 2010? The Ragin’ Cajuns do have QB Chris Masson back and many starters on defense back, too. But the running backs are inexperience, and three starters must be replaced from the best offensive line in the Sun Belt. If the running game isn’t going, Masson could have his hands full. The defense, while being more experienced, still had plenty of problems in 2009 and must step up.

2010 spring prospectus

2010 schedule

Coach: Ricky Bustle (38-56, ninth season)

2009 Record: (6-6, 4-4 Sun Belt)

Look back: Louisiana has won six games in four of its last five seasons, but is still waiting on its first bowl trip since 1970. That could have happened last season had Louisiana not dropped a game to FIU in overtime. Louisiana had a 14-10 lead at halftime one one of the worst teams in the nation, but FIU tied the game with 10 seconds left, sending it into overtime. In the extra period, Louisiana had its game-tying field goal blocked and lost in a heartbreaker.

Offensive starters lost/returning: 6/5

Defensive starters lost/returning: 3/8

Key losses: OT Kyle Pirtle, DE Hall Davis (4.5 TFL, 3 sacks), S Gerren Blount (36 tackles, 3 INT).

Top returnees: QB Chris Masson (222-of-373, 2,406 yards, 10 TDs), TE Ladarius Green (22 catches, 268 yards, 5 TDs, P Spencer Ortego (40.6 punting average)

Strengths: Masson posted nine games of 200-plus yards of total offense, one game shy of tying the school single-season record. His 222 completions in 2009 rank as the third-best single-season and his 2,406 yards were the fourth best single-season effort. Defensively, Lousiana has much experience and depth, though it must find a way to keep its top players healthy.

Weaknesses: A lack of depth at the running back spot has forced backup QB Brad McGuire into the backfield and Blaine Gautier to backup quarterback. The biggest the offense took was to the offensive line, where three starters are gone off a unit that ranked No. 14 in the country in fewest sacks allowed. The three gone? All-Sun Belt linemen Brad Bustle and Chris Fisher, and LT Kyle Pirtle, who started 24 straight games. was the loss of three starting offensive lineman to a line that placed 14th in the nation in fewest sacks allowed. Losing DE Hall Davis and S Gerren Blount is huge.

Outlook: Masson does return for Louisiana, but big questions at running back and on the offensive line could lead to a disappointing season. Lafayette must find a way to improve its defense as well, especially if the offense struggles. Starting LB Devon-Lewis Buchanan, backup QB Blaine Gautier and reserves Rodney Gillis and Chris Richard were arrested in April for allegedly cultivating marijuana and have been suspended from the team indefinitely