OP/ED
The Bobcats upcoming Tuesday night game against the Ragin’ Cajuns is perhaps the biggest game of the year for Texas State.
But most importantly, the Bobcats season is on the line.
Following the 2023 season that saw the Bobcats finish the year with a 8-5 record and the program first ever bowl win, Texas State entered the 2024 season with the hopes of winning their first conference championship since 2008.
The Bobcats returned the majority of the starters then added the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year in Jordan McCloud.
Then Texas State started the year off with a bang by throttling archrival UTSA 49-10 that not only gave the Bobcats their first win over the Roadrunners but also seemingly sent the ‘Runners into a tailspin.
After a strong showing against Arizona State, the Bobcats looked to run the table in the Sun Belt.
But then the Bobcats suffered a bad loss to rival Sam Houston State in a game that Texas State held a three possession lead twice against the Bearkats.
Texas State rebounded for two wins against Troy and Arkansas State with the Bobcats winning their first game against the Trojans since 1997 while the hype train was seemingly back on track.
Then Texas State suffered another tough road loss to a now surging Old Dominion Monarchs team.
Sitting at 4-3 with a 2-1 conference record, it hasn’t been exactly the dream season the Bobcat fans were hoping for.
But now Texas State enters the meat of their conference schedule that will determine the Bobcats success with their showdown against the Cajuns Tuesday then a road trip to Louisiana Monroe who both are undefeated in conference play.
To already elevate the high stakes, the Bobcats are facing a Cajuns team that has history on their side. The Cajuns from Lafayette are currently 11-0 against the Bobcats 10 of games being won by two or more possessions.
In fact, last season’s game between the Bobcats and the Cajuns was the only time their showdowns have been determined by one possession.
Cajuns escaped Texas State with a 34-30 comeback win and finished the season with a 6-7 overall record.
In order for the Bobcats to salvage their season, Texas State must overcome their Cajuns demons and win out to meet the expectations of a team that competes for conference championships compared to their neighbors to south and across the stateline.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
