Let’s get this out of the way: I am a mark for bowl games. A full-bore, slack-jawed, merch-buying, it’s-still-real-to-me mark.
I readily acknowledge that these games are, for the most part, craven cash-grabs with ridiculous title sponsors and outrageous swag bags. I recognize that, more often or not, they feature less-than-marquee matchups or East Coast teams that would rather be any place else but Detroit for Christmas. Well, maybe not any place. But when the Ragin’ Cajuns of UL-Lafayette make their annual trip to the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, I know that three weeks of fun is about to commence.