Week 0 has UIW vs Nicholls and NCCU vs Southern taking the national stage as college football returns. Nicholls will play host to the #4 Team in the FCS Ranking UIW while the Word has had the better of the Colonels of late 1st year Head Coach Tommy Rybacki hopes to show that his defenses which won Nicholls 3 SLC Titles are as strong as ever. Southern enters the MEAC/SWAC challenge hoping to improve on a great 2024 season which saw the Jags make it to the SWAC Championship. While Head coach Terrence Graves has chosen to play both his returning and transfer QB the offence is in position to improve an their slow starting ways in 2024. The Jags show to still be a championship contender and a win against NCCU would have them potentially as Celebration Bowl favorite in the early season.

On Monday morning Sunbelt Leaders would cast a vote extending Louisiana Tech an offer to rejoin the SBC and become the 14th member. The move would take a good amount of work as schools in the eastern division had several points of contention to the motion to extend LA Tech an offer. In the end the Bulldogs will join a conference that facilitates a significant reduction in expenses as colleges are looking for ways to slim down athletic budgets.

As the House Settlement takes affect in the coming weeks how will the 11 athletic programs the represent the Group of 5 and FCS Division 1 levels react. The opportunity to redefine the program exist for schools like Tulane, UL Lafayette and LA Tech with more scholarship opportunities in all sports. But will new funding sources be the solution for FCS schools who are struggling to operate outside of a deficit.

Information on House Bill 639:

https://lailluminator.com/2025/06/08/louisiana-hikes-sports-gambling-tax-to-subsidize-college-athletics/

With a Ranked opponent coming to Uptown Tulane is in a position to return to the top of the group of 5. K-STATE is looking for an opportunity to get ready for Big 12 play but if Tulane wants a shot at the playoffs a win in one of the next two games is non-negotiable. As the Green Wave celebrate the 10th anniversary of Yulman Stadium head coach Jon Sumrall is ready to see how his developing QB situation takes shape against a quality opponent.

The Sunbelt schools come off complete wins vs SWAC opponents but week 2 sees a step up in difficulty. ULL is hoping to continue rolling as a playoff dark horse, while ULM would find staying competitive with UAB as a step in the right direction.

On the FCS level Southeastern and Northwestern St are looking for win number one of the season. While a SWAC opponent looks favorable for the Demons. But the Lions are headed to Hattiesburg and will need a big leap in effort to ground the Golden Eagles.

This episode is a season preview for all four of Louisiana's group of 5 teams. We start in the Sunbelt with ULM and Louisiana.

With a new coach The Warhawks look to steady the ship and start the pathway to competing in the conference. With a transfer Quarterback and new pieces on the offensive side of the ball will the schedule facilitate a path to a winning season.

The Ragin Cajuns were once the understood barriers to the Sunbelt title but in the past two seasons they've finished under .500 as the seat begins to warm for this staff. A statement must be made to regain respect from the Billy Napier era. The one saving grace is a favorable schedule that could leave the Cajuns in a sneaky position to head to the Sunbelt Championship.

Louisiana Tech is in a new look Conference USA. But, in spite of their longevity in the conference they've struggled to reach the level of competitiveness required to return to their previous standard as the best group of 5 team in Louisiana. Sonny Cumbie knows the position he's in and with a new AD improvement must be seen this season.

Jon Sumrall takes over the head coach position for the Green Wave. The past success of the previous administration will make it difficult to continue to maintain expectations. Although, that is not stopping the program from remaining focused on clenching a birth to the College Football Playoff. With SMU gone for the ACC the American becomes slightly more easy but a retooled Memphis squad are going to be as competitive as ever.

On this episode we look into the 6 FCS schools in Louisiana as football season gets underway.

With Grambling and Southern ushering in new coaches the SWAC will bring a new level of competitive intensity.

The defending Southland Conference Champions were picked to defend at media day, but is Nicholls truly ready to climb the rankings with a brutal early schedule? Southeastern and Northwestern look to get things moving in the right direction after seasons that did not meet expectations. McNeese is the outlier with hopes to gain respect in the standings. They start this climb with a non-conference bout with WAC Power Tarleton St. We break down the matchup and get you Ready for Week 0.