The annual Battle on the Bayou rivalry, a Sun Belt staple since 2012, headlines Week 14 as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (5-6, 4-3 Sun Belt) host the struggling Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (3-8, 1-6 Sun Belt) at Cajun Field. ULL, under Michael Desormeaux, enters bowl-eligible and motivated to cap a middling season with a rivalry win (projected Independence Bowl), fresh off a 34-30 upset over Arkansas State. ULM, Terry Turner’s squad reeling from injuries and inconsistency, seeks to snap a six-game skid and avoid a third straight 3-9 finish after a 42-7 rout at Northwestern. The Cajuns’ balanced offense (top-60 efficiency) exploits the Warhawks’ depleted secondary, but ULM’s ground game could test ULL’s front—expect Cajun spice, bayou banter, and a hard-fought scrap for in-state bragging rights under Lafayette lights.
Venue Location
The showdown returns to Cajun Field at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium in Lafayette, Louisiana. This 41,426-seat Sun Belt icon, opened in 1968 and renovated in 2014, is ULL’s home since 1971 and pulses with “Geaux Cajuns!” chants and tailgate traditions along the Vermilion River. It’s a 200-mile drive from Monroe, drawing a raucous, garnet-and-gold crowd—ULL boasts a 6-3 home record in the series.
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. CT)
Broadcast: ESPN+ (primary), with streaming on ESPN app and Fubo. Radio: ULM’s 101.9 The Wolf; ULL’s 97.3 The Dawg.
Weather Updates
Lafayette’s late-November outlook promises mild, sunny conditions perfect for a shootout. Forecast: Sunny skies with a high of 72°F (22°C) and a low around 54°F (12°C). Winds: Light 5 mph from the west, with 0% chance of precipitation. Balmy and dry—Bermuda grass field fast and grippy, favoring ULL’s up-tempo attack (top-60 pace) without coastal humidity to slow drives.
Injury Report
ULL’s trenches remain stable, but ULM’s secondary and QB depth are hammered, per Turner’s updates. Reports as of November 28.
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| K. Wilson | CB | Out | Undisclosed (since Nov. 26) | Key coverage man (2 INTs); thins secondary (bottom-20 pass D, 300+ yds allowed/game). |
| D’Shaun Ford | RB | Questionable | Undisclosed (limited vs. Texas State) | Rotational back (400 yds); forces more carries for lead RB in 115th-ranked rush. |
| Aidan Armenta | QB | Probable | Shoulder (rotated last two; full practice) | Starter (1,318 yds, 9 TDs, 129/222 comp.); upgraded—Warhawks 2-4 without full QB health. |
Overall: Seven players limited/out; O-line allowed 35 sacks (120th nationally), per CUSA reports.
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| J. Isom | OG | Out | Undisclosed (since Nov. 26) | Interior starter; shuffles O-line (allowed 25 sacks, 95th)—pass pro tested vs. ULM’s edges. |
| Chandler Fields | QB | Available | No issues (cleared post-bye) | Dual-threat leader (est. 2,500 yds, 18 TDs); Cajuns 5-1 with Fields 200+ total yds. |
Overall: Minimal disruptions; Desormeaux noted “clean bill” after Arkansas State, with only three limited.
Player Matchups
ULL’s firepower (top-60 SP+ offense) overwhelms ULM’s youth (bottom-30 defense). Bayou history favors Cajuns’ balance.
ULM QB Aidan Armenta (probable) vs. ULL Secondary: Armenta’s efficiency (58% comp., 1,318 yds) targets checkdowns. Cajuns’ DBs (top-40 TOs, 11 INTs) rank 60th efficiency. Edge: ULL—Cajuns 4-1 forcing 2+ TOs; Warhawks 1-6 with 3+ giveaways.
ULL QB Chandler Fields vs. ULM Pass Rush: Fields’ mobility (est. 500 rush yds) extends plays. Warhawks’ front (bottom-60 sacks) pressures 18% dropbacks. Edge: Fields—ULL 5-0 exceeding 300 total yds/game.
ULM RB (committee) vs. ULL Front Seven: Warhawks’ backs (110 YPG) face LBs (top-50 run D, 120 yds allowed). Edge: ULL—Warhawks 0-5 under 100 rush yds.
ULL WR (group) vs. ULM CBs (K. Wilson out): Targets (est. 1,200 yds) exploit zones. Warhawks leaky (bottom-20 pass D). Edge: ULL group—expect 200+ yds; ULM 1-7 vs. 250+ pass foes.
Recent Team Forms
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks: Turner’s Warhawks routed 42-7 at Northwestern (Nov. 23), extending skid—Armenta flashed (150 yds) but turnovers killed (12 given last 4). Offense anemic (15.6 PPG), D leaky (32 PPG allowed). Morale: Pride play—1-4 ATS road.
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns: Desormeaux’s Cajuns rallied 34-30 over Arkansas State (Nov. 23), with Fields’ clutch (250 pass/80 rush). Balanced (26 PPG), D gritty (top-40 scoring). Morale: Bowl push—3-2 SU home.
Series History
The Battle on the Bayou, contested annually since 1951, symbolizes Louisiana supremacy. All-time: ULL leads 17-8 (8-2 last 10). Cajuns hold after 2024’s 70-20 rout (largest margin). At Cajun Field: ULL 8-3. ULL’s 5-game streak (1969-79) longest; recent avg. 35-20 ULL.
| Year | Winner | Score | Notes |
| 2024 | ULL | 70-20 | Record blowout |
| 2023 | ULL | 35-21 | Offensive clinic |
| 2022 | ULM | 34-24 | Warhawk upset |
| 2021 | ULL | 31-28 | Thriller |
| 2020 | ULL | 45-17 | COVID rout |
Betting Trends
Louisiana-Monroe: 3-8 ATS (27.3%); 1-4 ATS as 9+ road dogs. 5-6 O/U; overs in 3/6 away. 1-9 SU as underdog (10%). Vs. ULL: 2-8 ATS last 10.
Louisiana-Lafayette: 5-6 ATS (45.5%); 3-2 ATS as 9+ home faves. 6-5 O/U; overs in 4/7 home. 4-3 SU as favorite (57.1%). Series: 6-4 SU, 5-5 ATS.
Series Trends: Home team 8-2 SU last 10; overs 6/10 (avg. 50 pts). Favorites cover 7/10; ULL 5-2 ATS home vs. ULM. Advanced: FPI gives ULL 75% win prob. ULL top-60 offensive SP+; ULM 125th overall.
Game Odds
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks 47
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns – 9
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
