Cajuns vs McNeese – We Asked A.I. Who Would Win

(Lafayette, LA) In the world of college football prognostication, one can lean on the talking heads on television and radio that played one too many downs with their helmets off, or you can utilize modern technology. Either way, your prediction about the game you're forecasting will be wrong, but at least, using Artificial Intelligence, there is proof that some intelligent thought went into the narrative.

Last week, we asked our A.I. Robots to predict and describe the action in the football game between Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns and the Rice Owls. Our robots got the final score, but their description and assumptions about how the action would unfold were close enough for “jazz”, for lack of better terminology.

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The A.I. Robots had the game close in the end, and it was very close with the Rice Owls staving off a furious Ragin’ Cajun comeback attempt to hold on and win the game. This week’s opponent also comes from the west, but not as far west as Houston.

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Who Does the University of Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Face in Football on Saturday?

The McNeese Cowboys are no strangers to Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns, and when they meet Saturday night at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium in Lafayette, it will be a true backyard brawl, family-style. Many of the players on both squads know each other from their high school careers, and there are a lot of bragging rights that the winner of this game will hold over the loser until they next meet again.

Here is how A.I. sees the results of Saturday’s UL versus McNeese Football Game.

First Quarter:

The Ragin’ Cajuns come out flat on offense with a new signal caller under center. After a first down or two, the Cajuns punt the ball away. McNeese takes their first possession and manages to work their way into field goal range. The Pokes take the early lead 3-0.

The Cajun Offense responds with a long, multiple-play drive that features the team’s talented running backs. The Cajun O-Line appears to have the McNeese Defense back on its heels as the Cajuns drive down the field and put the ball in the end zone.

The score at the end of the first quarter. UL 7- McNeese 3

Second Quarter:

The on-field fireworks erupt early in quarter number two when the Ragin Cajuns dink a screen pass to a back coming out of the backfield. The play goes for 55 yards and a Cajun touchdown. McNeese responds by using a Flea Flicker trick play to gain chunk yardage and eventually put the ball in the end zone for the Cowboys' first touchdown.

UL gets the ensuing kickoff and starts another run-focused drive that appears to be stopped when the Cajun running back fumbles on a crucial 3rd down play. The McNeese Coaches lose their mind when the fumble call is reversed, and the Cowboy coaching staff gets hit with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty. Still, the Cajuns are unable to take advantage, and the half ends without any more scoring from either team.

The score at the half is UL 14 – McNeese 10

Third Quarter:

Defense is the name of the game in quarter number three. The teams hold each other to punts on the opening drives of the second half. However, on McNeese’s second possession, the Cajun special teams get a blocked punt that is taken to the house for a Special Teams Touchdown.

The Cowboys respond with another chunk play, a long pass that appears to be caught for a McNeese touchdown. However, a flag in the end zone for Offensive Pass Interference brings the huge scoring pass back. McNeese fans rain down a chorus of boos on the referees.

The score at the end of the 3rd Quarter: UL 24- McNeese 10

Fourth Quarter:

With one quarter left and the Cajun Defense being very stingy, McNeese struggles to move the ball early in the fourth. The Pokes gamble on a fourth and two near midfield, but the Cowboys running back is stuffed at the line of scrimmage, and the Cajuns take over on downs.

UL uses the great field position to push the ball down the field and pad their lead. The Pokes respond with a field goal, but it’s too little and too late. UL wins by a final score of 31 to 17.

That's the End of the Game:

Our A.I. Football Forecaster says the post-game vibe will be marred with some minor scuffles in the stands and parking lot as disgruntled Cowboy fans take their frustration over what they believe were two egregiously wrong calls out on Cajun fans who are celebrating the victory a little too loudly. But no one is hurt, no one is arrested, and the trash-talking starts all over until the two teams meet again.