Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 2016 NCAA Football Preview
LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS
Conference USA
2015 Record – 9-4
ATS – 7-6
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
West Division #2
Conference #5
2015 Recap
Don’t look now but the Bulldogs are on a roll. They are 18-9 the past two seasons including a couple of bowl victories. Last season they finished up at 9-4 and clobbered a very good Arkansas St team in the New Orleans Bowl.
2016 Preview
OFFENSE
Much-maligned QB Jeff Driskel did a wonderful job last season at QB for the Bulldogs and he will be missed this season. Ryan Higgins steps in at QB, and while he got into some DUI trouble in the summer, it appears that he will only miss one (or part of one) game. J’Mar Smith looks to be second in line as he adds a dimension of mobility to the position.
There is a big hole at RB this season with the departure of the school’s all-time leader in Kenneth Dixon. We will have to wait and see who emerges from this group as nothing has been decided yet in August camp. The offensive line is now down to only two returning starters after the unfortunate injury to O’Shea Dugas during camp. We are concerned about the running game.
The WR group is ridiculously talented. 1st Team C-USA performer Trent Taylor is back after recording a 99 reception, 1,282 yard season. Carlos Henderson is a nightmare who averaged over 20 yards per catch last season. If the QB performance can meet expectations this passing game is going to be lethal. Of course, if the running game disappears and/or the OL has trouble, there are going to be problems.
DEFENSE
The Bulldogs have held opponents to under 27 points per game in all three of HC Skip Holtz’s seasons is Ruston, however, this season they only return three starters to the unit and may experience some growing pains. In fact, eight of their nine (!) tacklers from last season depart and they are going to need some new faces to step up. A definite positive is that arguably their two best players on defense (DL – Jaylon Ferguson, S Xavier Woods) both return for the 2016 season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
There is a lot of experience in the group as most of the key components return this season. PK Jonathan Barnes was a rock solid 22/26 last season including 6/8 from 40+ yards and is back for more this year.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 3.0
MEGALOCKS says:
It is a tough stretch to open the season. The Bulldogs have non-conference match-ups with Arkansas and Texas Tech which are probably automatic losses. The C-USA schedule opens up on September 24th with a tough game at MTSU and two weeks later they must face WKU at home.
Overall, we give the BULLDOGS 3.0 Value Rating (Below Average) this season. The QB had a DUI incident. They lose their leading rusher from 2015. The defense only returns three starters. Hmm. This team feels like a fade to us ATS. Skip Holtz is a fine coach and they are going to score some points. Just be careful.
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