If we’re being honest, it’s always an interchangeable list of the same Top 25 ranked college football teams battling in the odds to win the national championship or odds to make the CFB playoffs.
So, what about the remaining 100 or so teams in the nation? Surely, they’re more than another name the good teams come to beat. They might not always be featured in the top games of the season, but some of their matchups are anticipated for their own reasons.
If there’s one thing that separates college football from the rest, it’s old-school rivalries. Once a student enrolls in a program, school pride suddenly runs through their veins, and they become the most devoted fans of whichever athletes wear the team colors.
The Battle on the Bayou is one of those historical rivalries when two Louisiana squads come to play annually.
What Is The Battle On The Bayou?
Louisiana vs UL Monroe Game Rivalry
Played 57 times dating back to September 1951, the Battle on the Bayou is an intrastate rivalry between the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. About 184 miles separate the two schools, but the distance doesn’t make the heart grow fonder between these two clubs.
There’s been some midwestern heat for years with ex-coaches alleging exam fraud and recruitment payments, and of course there’s the verbal warfare.
The real University of Louisiana defeats the Ragin' Cajuns. pic.twitter.com/uh1VpdEBvW
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 25, 2022
The first time the two schools met was in the second week of September over seven decades ago, with the Ragin’ Cajuns falling 13-7 to the Warhawks. The Cajuns, however, own the slight series edge with a 31-26 record.
They also hold the longest winning streak in the series, having won five consecutive matchups between 2008 and 2012. They could have matched that streak with a victory in this year’s meeting – except they didn’t.
2022 Battle On The Bayou
Week 4 of the 2022 college football season featured the Warhawks coming back from a first-half deficit to score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and secure a 21-17 victory at Cajun Field. The matchup opened Sun Belt Conference play for the season.
If the rivalry wasn’t enough already, this matchup was a battle between the Chandlers. Both starting quarterbacks in the Saturday contest shared the same name and the same goal – be the better Chandler … and help the team win too, I guess.
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The Ragin’ Cajuns’ Chandler Fields completed 20 of 34 passes for 231 yards. The sophomore added a touchdown and a single interception to his game sheet.
The Warhawks’ Chandler Rogers completed 14 of 26 tosses for 192 yards, also adding an interception. But it was his five-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that kept his team in the tight game.
Louisiana-Monroe wins against Louisiana-Lafayette are seen about as often as leap years, with the Warhawks only tilting the scoreboard in their favor on three occasions in the past decade.
Wooden Boot Trophy
At one point, an inexpensive and small wooden boot trophy was designed to be awarded to the winning team each year. But players and coaches clearly thought bragging rights were more than enough, so the coveted wooden boot stays locked away, isolated from the clutch of the victorious.
ULM BEATS THE RAGIN CAJUNS IN THE BATTLE ON THE BAYOU!!! GIVE EM THE BOOT!!! pic.twitter.com/8jqFoMcPoW
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) September 25, 2022
Battle On The Bayou Series History
| Year | Sportsbook | Score | Spread | OVER/UNDER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Louisiana-Monroe | 21-17 | +9.5 (L) | 51 (UNDER) |
| 2021 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 21-16 | -21.5 (L) | 55.5 (UNDER) |
| 2020 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 70-20 | +29.5 (W) | 58 (OVER) |
| 2019 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 31-30 | -20 (L) | 71 (UNDER) |
| 2018 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 31-28 | -1.5 (W) | 71 (UNDER) |
| 2017 | Louisiana-Monroe | 56-50 | +4.5 (W) | 58.5 (OVER) |
| 2016 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 30-3 | +5.5 | 52.5 (UNDER) |
| 2015 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 30-24 | -10 | 54 (PUSH) |
| 2014 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 34-27 | +7 | 52 (OVER) |
| 2013 | Louisiana-Monroe | 31-28 | -17.5 | 56.5 (OVER) |
In the last 10 matchups, the Ragin’ Cajuns have the upper hand at 7-3 overall.
Louisiana-Lafayette has seen better success on the quick trip to JPS Field at Malone Stadium, being 8-2 during its last 10 visits.
The OVER/UNDER is a toss-up between these two squads with the record being a close 4-5-1. The UNDER has hit in four of the last five seasons.
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Battle On The Bayou FAQ
Where is the Battle on the Bayou played?
The location of the annual Battle On The Bayou typically alternates between the two participants' home fields. In 2022, the matchup was held in Monroe, Louisiana at Malone Stadium. The year prior it was played in Lafayette, Louisiana at Cajun Field.
Who has the most wins in the Battle on the Bayou?
In 58 meetings, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns have the most wins in the series with a 32-26 record.
How long has the Battle on the Bayou been played?
The Battle On The Bayou has been played 58 times in a 71 year span. The first meeting to spark the yearly rival between the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns and Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks took place on September 15, 1951.
