Man, it has been a wild ride in Lafayette lately. If you follow the Ragin' Cajuns, you know the 2025 season was a total roller coaster that felt like three different seasons packed into one. From a heartbreaking opener to a massive late-season surge that barely got them into a bowl, there is a lot to digest. And honestly, looking at the upcoming louisiana ragin cajuns football schedule for 2026, things aren't getting any easier.
The 2025 campaign ended just a few weeks ago with that tough 20-13 loss to Delaware in the 68 Ventures Bowl. It capped off a 6-7 year that left a lot of fans scratching their heads. But before we get into the future, we have to talk about how they even got there.
The Chaos of the 2025 Season
Most people expected big things when the season kicked off against Rice on August 30. Then, disaster struck. Star quarterback Walker Howard went down with an oblique injury in the second half. They lost 14-12, and suddenly the vibe shifted.
The middle of the year was rough. Really rough.
They hit a three-game skid in October, losing to James Madison, Southern Miss, and Troy. At 2-6, nobody thought they were going anywhere. But Michael Desormeaux’s squad found something. They ripped off four straight wins to end the regular season, including a thrilling 30-27 overtime win against ULM on Senior Day.
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That streak saved the season. It got them to Mobile for the bowl game, even if the result wasn't what they wanted.
Breaking Down the 2026 Non-Conference Slate
If you thought last year’s trip to Missouri was a big test, wait until you see what is coming in September. The louisiana ragin cajuns football schedule for 2026 is officially taking shape, and it starts with a massive spotlight.
The Cajuns are heading to the West Coast.
On September 12, 2026, Louisiana will play USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This is a first-time meeting between the two programs. It’s the kind of game that either makes a season or exposes every weakness you have on national television.
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Here is how the non-conference schedule looks right now for 2026:
- September 5: vs. Lamar (Home opener at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium)
- September 12: at USC (The big one in Los Angeles)
- September 19: vs. UAB (Back home in Lafayette)
- September 26: at Charlotte (A new road trip to North Carolina)
That’s a balanced but dangerous start. Lamar should be a tune-up, but going from that to Lincoln Riley’s offense in LA? That’s a tall order for any defensive coordinator.
The Sun Belt Grind and Key Storylines
We don't have the exact dates for the conference games yet—the Sun Belt usually drops those in late February—but we know who the Cajuns are playing. The league is getting deeper, and the "West" division is always a slugfest.
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One thing to watch is the roster turnover. We just saw the transfer portal window closing on January 16, 2026, and the news wasn't great for the QB room. Walker Howard, the former five-star who transferred in from LSU, has officially hit the portal again. That leaves a massive void under center.
Basically, the 2026 season is going to be about the "New Look" Cajuns.
On the bright side, the 2026 signing class looks solid. They’ve leaned heavily into the "Australian Punter" pipeline again with Mason Golding, and they secured a massive offensive line recruit in Jai'Vale Fredericks from Alabama.
Why the 2026 Schedule Matters
The schedule isn't just about the games; it's about the program's trajectory. After a 6-7 finish in 2025, there is pressure. Desormeaux has shown he can rally the troops, but the fans in Acadiana are used to 10-win seasons and Sun Belt titles.
What to Do Next
If you’re planning on following the Ragin' Cajuns this year, you need to stay ahead of the curve. The best way to track the louisiana ragin cajuns football schedule is to keep an eye on the official Sun Belt announcements in February 2026 for those mid-week "Sun Belt Fun Belt" dates.
- Check your travel dates for LA. If you're planning to go to the USC game, book early. L.A. is expensive, and that September heat in the Coliseum is no joke.
- Monitor the Portal. With Walker Howard gone, the Cajuns will almost certainly be looking for a veteran bridge quarterback before the spring window.
- Update your calendar. Make sure you have the Lamar game on September 5 marked down. It’s the Herbert Heymann Football Classic, and the tailgating at Cajun Field is still some of the best in the country.
The road back to the top of the Sun Belt is steep, but the pieces are there if they can navigate a brutal September. Keep your eyes on the spring game in April to see who actually takes those first-team snaps at quarterback.