Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 2023 College Football Preview
June 13, 2023
2022 Recap
Record – 3-9
ATS – 5-6 (vs FBS)
Year one of the Sonny Cumbie era was a struggle as anticipated. They only managed to bag three wins and they lost five games by 20 points or more. The offense showed some GREEN SHOOTS in terms of figuring things out but the defense was absolutely horrible. Teams often improve in year two with a new coaching staff so let’s check in with the program and see if the Bulldogs are poised to be one of those squads.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 2023 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Bulldogs showed some flashes of explosiveness last season, particularly with the THROW GAME (#32 FBS passing offense). Things look really good heading into 2023 as they scooped up former Boise St QB Hank Bachmeier who started 29 games for the Broncos and posted a nifty 41-19 TD to INT mark. Bachmeier had his ups and downs in Boise but this conference is a definite step down in class from the Mountain West. The WR group is deep and it includes the elusive Smoke Harris (66 receptions, 5 TD LY) and deep threat Cyrus Allen (22.7). Tech has a great 1-2 punch at RB with the return of #1 rusher Marquise Crosby (918, 9 TD) and the addition of devastating speedster SQWIRL Williams. Four starters return up front if you include Abraham Delfin who missed LY due to injury. The Bulldogs averaged 29 PPG LY (#60) and we expect them to move into the top-30 in 2023. GET CHO POPCONE, YO.
DEFENSE
There is a LOT of work to do on this side of the football. The Bulldogs were an ABOMINATION last season as they ended up #125 in total defense (469 YPG), #129 in rushing defense (243 YPG)(!), and #126 in sacks (16). The pass defense was the lone bright spot (#56 pass efficiency D). There’s a lot of turnover on defense this year ** as the Bulldogs have added a dozen or so players via the transfer portal. Those new faces will need to blend in quickly with a few of the decent holdovers. LB Hugh Davis led the team in tackles and Willie Roberts is a really good CB. We don’t expect miracles, but they should be a bit better in 2023, particularly if Stephen F. Austin transfer safety Myles Heard (led team in tackles L2Y) can solidify the back end of the stop unit.
** Yes, guy
SPECIAL TEAMS
Veteran PK Jacob Barnes has connected on 42/53 career FGA which is pretty good but the Bulldogs will have to work in a new punter. We’re happy to say that Smoke Harris is one of the best return men in the nation (career 11.2 per PR, 24.8 per KR).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – They’ve got a pair of nasty non-conference games (at SMU, at CORN) but they have a couple of manageable ones as well (Northwestern St, North Texas). FUN FACTOIDS. They play eight (!) games by October 10th and finish with two former FCS squads (Sam Houston, at Jacksonville St).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing overly-spooky is noted.
Season Win Total
Market consensus June 13 <wide variety of prices are available>
Over 5.5 -150
Under 5.5 +125
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
They should have enough firepower to get to six wins and bowl eligibility.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
HC Sonny Cumbie threw for over 4,700 yards with the Texas Tech Red Raiders in 2004.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
There’s definitely reason for optimism in Ruston. The Bulldogs will be able to SCORE the FOOTBALL on the regular and there’s a good chance that the defense will be able to get enough stops to keep them competitive in almost every game. Conference USA doesn’t exactly have a lot of HEAVY HITTERS so it’s conceivable that Louisiana Tech can outgun several of their opponents. We’ll call for them to make a bowl game in year two of the Sonny Cumbie extravaganza.