LSU football may not be the only Louisiana area team with a shot at making the 2024 College Football Playoffs under its new 12-team format.

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns football has emerged as a potential Group of 5 contenders as it sits with a 7-1 overall record and the only undefeated team in Sun Belt Conference play. It will likely be a long shot for the Cajuns to make the 12-team cut, but they are creating a buzz as they grind out win after win.

The Cajuns are fresh off of a 23-17 win over Texas State in Week 10 of the 2024 college football season, marking their fifth straight triumph. This victory gives them a strong hold over the Sun Belt West division and staking a strong claim to being one of two teams competing for the conference championship.

This stronghold comes after UL was projected to finish third in the Sun Belt West while Texas State was projected to finish in first place. The Cajuns also took down Appalachian State in Week 7 beating the Mountaineers 34-24 taking down the team projected to finish in first place of the Sun Belt East.

Under the 12-team format, the five highest-ranked conference champions will receive automatic bids, and the remaining seven spots will be at-large bids from the highest-ranked teams.

Before the Cajuns' victory over the Bobcats, some experts were already putting them in the conversation as a Group of 5 contenders. Sports Illustrated’s Bryan Fischer has UL ranked as the seventh Group of 5 playoff contending team. On3’s Andy Staples listed the Cajuns as a Group of 5 bubble team at Week 10 of the season as the projected Sun Belt conference championship winner.

The odds, according to BetMGM, of UL football squeaking into the playoffs are +1300 as of Oct. 28. As of Week 10 of the season, the Cajuns are the only SBC team getting college playoff buzz.

With loads of momentum and an upcoming three-game home stretch, the Cajuns are looking to better their odds as they strive to snag more wins along the way.

REQUIRED READING: UL football's Keyon Martin carted off field during game vs Texas State

REQUIRED READING: Louisiana football vs Texas State: Final score and in-game updates from Week 10 game

Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: UL football arises as a College Football Playoff contender at Week 10