The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs went from 9-3 in 2012 to just 4-8 last year, in what was Skip Holtz first season as HC of the Bulldogs. In fairness, the Bulldogs did have just 7 total starters back last year and now with 13 starters back this year they look to take a step back in the right direction. Preview & schedule below.
The Bulldogs averaged 51 ppg back in 2012, but last year with just 3 starters back, they put up a mere 19.2 ppg. That a huge drop-off and much of the problem was inconsistency at the QB spot, where Higgins and Young combined to throw 10 TDs to 15 INTs. Higgins is back, but should take a backseat to Iowa Transfer Cody Sokol, who has the tools to jump start this offense. He does have leading WR Sterling Griffin back from last year, along with a couple of solid recruits and senior Hunter lee. This will be a solid WR corps this year. The running game has it top 4 rushers back from last year, including Kenneth Dixon who has 28 TD’s back in 2012. Last year despite being hampered by injuries, he still ran for 917 yards and 4 TDs. He is healthy now and comprises the best set of RBs in Conference USA. The Defense improved last year, allowing 12.2 ppg less than they did in 2012 and with 7 starters back this year they should be even better, especially with new DC Manny Diaz being hired. Manny was brought in from Texas when he led the Longhorns to the best defense in the Big 12 back in 2011. The Bulldogs lost their top tackler from last year, but have brought back their next 6 tacklers. The Secondary is the strength of this defense, with all 4 starters back, while the DL and LB corps are not far behind. This defense is rated 2nd best in conference USA, and so are the special teams unit as well.
Louisiana Tech took a big fall last year, but I feel they have what it takes to turn it back around this year. The offense will not be held under 20 ppg this year, in fact they may progress to nearly 28 ppg for the season. The defense is one of the best in the conference and after chopping 12 ppg off of what they allowed in 2012, they should be even better this year. I will call for a 3rd place finish in the West, mainly cause depth could be an issue, with just 39 lettermen back, but don’t be surprised if they finish higher, especially with a fairly favorable Conference USA schedule. KEY TREND: Skip Holtz is 3-17 SU and 5-15 ATS in his last 20 games vs .500 or better teams.
2014 Louisiana Tech Football Schedule
Aug. 30 at Oklahoma
Sep. 6 at Louisiana-Laf
Sep. 11 at North Texas
Sep. 20 Northwestern State
Sep. 27 at Auburn
Oct. 4 UTEP
Oct. 11 OPEN DATE
Oct. 25 at Southern Miss
Oct. 31 OPEN DATE
Nov. 1 WKU
Nov. 8 at UAB
Nov. 15 OPEN DATE
Nov. 22 at Old Dominion
Nov. 29 Rice
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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Golden Nugget Games Of The Year
Steve Fezzik from Pregame.com takes a look at some the games of the year tat have been released by the Golden Nugget, along with some tips for handicapping them.