Get your first look at Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns 2016 Football Schedule, and start making your plans for next season.

Mark Hudspeth's team is looking to bounce back in 2016 and get back into bowl season, and they have some big out of conference games against quality opponents (Boise State, Georgia). If they can navigate their way through this schedule, they should have some impressive victories to boast.

“It’s a great home schedule, obviously with Boise State coming to town in the opener,” Coach Hud said. “It’s a very challenging schedule, one of the toughest schedules I think we’ve had in awhile. We have one of the top FCS programs in the country (McNeese State) coming to Cajun Field, and we’re excited to have some games that our fans will be able to travel to with games at Tulane and Georgia."

Hud also mentioned that the three games at home to start the season allow the fan base to get behind them early to provide an early spark. The nationally televised game (ESPN2) against Appalachian State on October 12th will give the program an opportunity to show off their new facilities as well, and Cajun Nation will be in front of the camera again to show the rest of the country how much fun we have in Lafayette.

The open week comes later in the year (October 29th), which is a stark contrast from 2015. Hud wasn't a fan of the early break last season, so he won't have to deal with it this year.

In conference (see the FULL Sun Belt Football Schedule here), the Cajuns get South Alabama, App State, Idaho and Arkansas State at home. That leaves road trips to New Mexico State, Texas State, Georgia Southern and a rivalry date in Monroe. Getting App, Arkansas State and South Alabama at home is a luxury, and the Cajuns could have a good chance of sporting a winning record on the road in the Sun Belt.

Throw in games at Georgia and Tulane that the fans can reach, and you get an agreeable, albeit difficult, schedule. Take some time to fill out your calendars, Cajun Nation. Football season will be back before you know it.

Ragin' Cajuns 2016 Football Schedule
(BOLD=home game, *=conference game)

September 3rd vs Boise State

September 10th vs McNeese State

September 17th vs South Alabama*

September 24th at Tulane

October 1st at New Mexico State*

October 12th (Wednesday) vs Appalachian State* (ESPN2)

October 22nd at Texas State*

October 29th- OPEN

November 5th vs Idaho*

November 12th at Georgia Southern*

November 19th at Georgia

November 26th vs Arkansas State*

December 3rd at UL Monroe*

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