A Complete Guide to the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks Football Team's 2024 Season Outlook

As a longtime observer of college football and someone who spends an inordinate amount of time analyzing Sun Belt Conference dynamics, I find myself particularly intrigued by the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks as we look toward the 2024 season. Let’s be honest, this is a program that has often lived in the shadow of its in-state rivals, but there’s a tangible buzz this offseason that feels different. It’s not about competing for a national title, but about building something sustainable and competitive, about chasing a benchmark of consistency that has been elusive. In that pursuit, I’m reminded of a fascinating parallel from another sport—the mention of a team equaling a franchise record start, like the 7-0 conference run noted in the reference material. That’s the kind of foundational momentum the Warhawks desperately need to establish; a hot start in Sun Belt play can redefine an entire season’s narrative and set a new standard, much like tying a record set by a historic squad.

The foundation for any optimism in Monroe starts with the significant roster continuity on the offensive side of the ball. For the first time in what feels like a decade, the Warhawks return their starting quarterback, Hunter Herring, and his top four receiving targets from a year ago. That kind of chemistry is priceless, especially in an offensive system that seemed to find its rhythm in the latter half of 2023. I’ve always believed a proficient passing game is the great equalizer for programs like ULM, and with an estimated 3,200 passing yards and 28 touchdowns returning in terms of production, the potential is there. The offensive line, however, remains my biggest concern. They allowed a staggering 42 sacks last season, a number that simply has to be cut in half for this offense to operate efficiently. If they can provide even a modest improvement, say reducing sacks to the mid-20s, this unit could jump from average to genuinely potent. My personal view is that offensive coordinator Matt Kubik is one of the more underrated play-callers in the league, and with his tools back, I expect him to be aggressive early in the season to build confidence.

Defensively, the story is one of calculated reconstruction. The Warhawks lost some serious talent in the front seven, particularly pass-rush specialist Kenard Snyder. You don’t just replace 11.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss overnight. The transfer portal brought in some intriguing pieces, like defensive end Quincy Ledet Jr. from Southeastern Louisiana, but the success of this defense will hinge on the rapid development of younger players already in the system. I’m keeping a close eye on linebacker Michael Batton, who showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman. The secondary, which intercepted 12 passes last year, should be the strength of the unit, offering some cover while the new-look front gels. The schedule, as always, is a brutal gauntlet. The non-conference slate features a money game at Auburn and a tricky road trip to Appalachian State right out of the gate. How they navigate that opening month will tell us everything. I’m less worried about the Auburn result and more focused on the Sun Belt opener against Texas State. Stealing a conference win early, perhaps starting 2-0 in league play, could inject the program with the kind of belief we saw in that referenced “7-0 start” example. Momentum is a real force, and for ULM, finding it in September is critical.

So, what’s a realistic outlook? Vegas will likely set the win total around 4.5, and the pundits will pick them near the bottom of the West Division again. But I see a path to a bowl game, which would be a monumental achievement. It requires winning the toss-up games at home—against Southern Miss, Arkansas State, and Louisiana—and finding an upset on the road. It’s a tall order, but not impossible. My personal preference is always for teams that build through player development rather than portal overhauls, and ULM’s approach seems to be a hybrid model, which I appreciate. The 2024 season, in my estimation, is about proving that the progress shown in Coach Terry Bowden’s third year wasn’t a fluke. It’s about aiming for a winning conference record, something like 5-3, which would be a massive step forward. They may not tie any historic start records this fall, but if they can consistently compete and finish games in the fourth quarter, the Warhawks will have laid the groundwork for a future where such hot streaks become a possibility, not just a distant memory from another sport. The goal is to become the team others don’t want to play in November, and I think this group has the leadership to make that a reality.