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Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - Side Show Joe - 08-15-2018 09:55 PM
Today, let's talk LA Tech. The Bulldogs won another bowl last season, and are on quite a streak. Some feel the Dawgs could be better given the talent in Ruston. Their offense brings back 7 starters. How much Smith's passing has progressed from last season will be a major key to the offense's success this season. On defense their are some real playmakers, especially on the D-line. But in a pass happy conference like C-USA, the secondary will have to have quite a few new starters step up.
Which games do you feel they will win, and which should they lose? What is the logic for your predictions?
Here is the schedule with my predictions. C-USA fans, I look forward to reading your thoughts.
W- @S. Alabama (USA wasn't very good last season, and not in the same league as Tech)
W- Southern (It will get ugly)
L- @LSU (It will get ugly)
L- @North Texas (Not as close as last season)
L- UAB (UAB could win the West)
L- @UTSA (Don't think Smith gets it done in San Antonio)
W- UTEP (UTEP doesn't have a chance in Ruston)
L- @FAU (Not even close)
L- @Miss State (Another SEC loss)
W- Rice (See UTEP comment)
W- @USM (Flipped my pick after Griggs news)
W- WKU (tough end to WKU's season)
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - Dogluva - 08-15-2018 10:43 PM
W- @S. Alabama (It will be close for the first half, 2H all Tech)
W- Southern (Practice)
L- @LSU (Will be very close 24-17, similar to the last time Tech played #8 LSU in Baton Rouge in 2009)
W- @North Texas (Tech's strong defense will sack Fine 4 times and INT him twice)
W- UAB
W- @UTSA (Close game)
W- UTEP (All Tech start to finish)
L- @FAU (Hard to beat FAU in Florida)
L- @Miss State
W- Rice
W- @USM (too much drop-off for USM)
W- WKU
L- CUSA Championship game at FAU
W- Tech 5-peats it's winning bowl streak
10-4 Record and Holtz leaves for a major P5 job.
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - AustinFromUNT - 08-15-2018 10:55 PM
(08-15-2018 10:43 PM)Dogluva Wrote: W- @S. Alabama (It will be close for the first half, 2H all Tech)
W- Southern (Practice)
L- @LSU (Will be very close 24-17, similar to the last time Tech played #8 LSU in Baton Rouge in 2009)
W- @North Texas (Tech's strong defense will sack Fine 4 times and INT him twice)
W- UAB
W- @UTSA (Close game)
W- UTEP (All Tech start to finish)
L- @FAU (Hard to beat FAU in Florida)
L- @Miss State
W- Rice
W- @USM (too much drop-off for USM)
W- WKU
L- CUSA Championship game at FAU
W- Tech 5-peats it's winning bowl streak
10-4 Record and Holtz leaves for a major P5 job.
If you think you’re gonna blow out UNT but have a close game against UTSA you must be smoking something that I don’t think is legal in Louisiana.
My predictions for LA Tech:
@ South Alabama: Win by 14-17
Vs Southern: Win by probably 28-31
@ LSU: Loss by 21-31
@ UNT: Loss by 10-14
Vs UAB: Loss by 3
@ UTSA: Win by 7-10
Vs UTEP: Win by 21
@ FAU: Loss by 24+
@ MSST: Loss by 17-21
Vs Rice: Win by 17-24
@ USM: Win by 7-10 (Rivalry game so who knows)
Vs WKU: Win by 14-17
7-5 overall 5-3 in conference play. Go to a mid-tier CUSA bowl game and likely win it depending on opponent.
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - Dogluva - 08-15-2018 11:30 PM
Austin, get a grip and take a Midol. UTSA sacked Fine 3 times and intercepted him once in your 29-26 win in Denton last year. However, to predict that Tech (with a 6'-5" 270 NFL 1st round DE) will sack Fine 4 times and intercept him twice is ludicrous? Nobody said that automatically equates to "Tech is going to blow you out of your stadium". It means Tech has a much better defense than you realize.
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - HogDawg - 08-16-2018 12:11 AM
(08-15-2018 09:55 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote: Today, let's talk LA Tech. The Bulldogs won another bowl last season, and are on quite a streak. Some feel the Dawgs could be better given the talent in Ruston. Their offense brings back 7 starters. How much Smith's passing has progressed from last season will be a major key to the offense's success this season. On defense their are some real playmakers, especially on the D-line. But in a pass happy conference like C-USA, the secondary will have to have quite a few new starters step up.
Really? Do you know anything about LA Tech's "secondary"? Tech's secondary is one of the best in the country. It's certainly a team strength. It's led by FWAA Freshman All-American and 2nd team All CUSA DB Amik Robertson.
Robertson started all 13 games last season as a true Freshman, and recorded 5 INT's, with 141 INT return yds --including 1 for a TD. He had 62 tackles (51 solo), 2 sacks, 6 pass breakups and 7.5 tackles for loss. He returned an INT 45 yds for a TD in LA Tech's 51-10 victory over #25 ranked SMU in the DXL Frisco Bowl last December.
Darryl Lewis is a redshirt Junior safety who started and played in all 13 games last season, and registered 45 tackles, 4 INT's, and returned 2 INT's for TD's. (Are you catching the theme here? HaHa!) He also had 93 total interception return yds last season. Lewis also saw action in 14 games as a freshman in 2016, and registered 5 tackles in LA Tech's win over #25 ranked Navy in the 2016 Armed Forces Bowl in Ft Worth.
And then there's Daniel Lewis (not to be confused with "Darryl" Lewis above.) Daniel (5-11, 193) is a redshirt Senior Safety who just transferred to Tech from Hawaii, where he was a 2-year team captain (2016 & 2017) with 145 tackles, 3 INT's & 2 forced fumbles.
In addition to the above, Jaiden Cole will be a soph safety who played in 10 games last season as a true freshman. James Jackson will be a redshirt Junior safety who played in 12 games last year. Michael Sam is a redshirt Junior DB, who was a starter before suffering a season ending injury in game 2 last season. He's back.
L'Jarius Sneed (6'1, 191), a crowd favorite, will be a Junior DB who started 6 games last season, played in 11 games, recorded 30 tackles, 1 INT and had 6 pass breakups. He also made 2 starts and played in 14 games as a freshman. Jordan Baldwin played in 12 games last season, had 3 starts and recorded 38 tackles. Trey Spencer played in 12 games and had 3 starts. Ezekiel Barnett (6'2, 193), a redshirt sophomore safety, played in all 13 games. Zach Hannibal (6/1,182) is a redshirt sophomore who played in 10 games last year.
And finally, Ephraim Kitchen returns after suffering a season ending injury in fall camp last season. Kitchen is a redshirt Junior who was a starter as a freshman, but missed last season due to the injury.
To summarize, LA Tech has a lot of young, athletic, but now experienced players in the defensive backfield for 2018. And they WILL take it to the house if Mason Fine --or anybody else-- gets pass happy. They feed off that. Just ask SMU.
W- @S. Alabama
W- Southern
L- @LSU (Tech CAN win this. LSU has problems right now)
W- @North Texas (I KNOW Tech wins this one)
W- UAB
W- @UTSA (Tough place for Tech to win, but we usually do)
W- UTEP
L- @FAU (Hard to beat FAU in Florida)
L- @Miss State
W- Rice
W- @USM (USM is going thru a lot of changes this season)
W- WKU
W- CUSA Championship game against FAU or Marshall
W- Tech 5-peats it's winning bowl streak
9-3 Regular season
11-3 Including CUSA Championship & Bowl Game
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - techdawg88 - 08-16-2018 12:48 AM
If Tech ever has a chance against LSU then this will be the season seeing as they are now down to 2 scholarship QBs on their roster
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - JCMiner - 08-16-2018 02:20 AM
I think La Tech wins the West.
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - Dawgxas - 08-16-2018 06:39 AM
(08-15-2018 10:55 PM)AustinFromUNT Wrote:(08-15-2018 10:43 PM)Dogluva Wrote: W- @S. Alabama (It will be close for the first half, 2H all Tech)
W- Southern (Practice)
L- @LSU (Will be very close 24-17, similar to the last time Tech played #8 LSU in Baton Rouge in 2009)
W- @North Texas (Tech's strong defense will sack Fine 4 times and INT him twice)
W- UAB
W- @UTSA (Close game)
W- UTEP (All Tech start to finish)
L- @FAU (Hard to beat FAU in Florida)
L- @Miss State
W- Rice
W- @USM (too much drop-off for USM)
W- WKU
L- CUSA Championship game at FAU
W- Tech 5-peats it's winning bowl streak
10-4 Record and Holtz leaves for a major P5 job.
If you think you’re gonna blow out UNT but have a close game against UTSA you must be smoking something that I don’t think is legal in Louisiana.
My predictions for LA Tech:
@ South Alabama: Win by 14-17
Vs Southern: Win by probably 28-31
@ LSU: Loss by 21-31
@ UNT: Loss by 10-14
Vs UAB: Loss by 3
@ UTSA: Win by 7-10
Vs UTEP: Win by 21
@ FAU: Loss by 24+
@ MSST: Loss by 17-21
Vs Rice: Win by 17-24
@ USM: Win by 7-10 (Rivalry game so who knows)
Vs WKU: Win by 14-17
7-5 overall 5-3 in conference play. Go to a mid-tier CUSA bowl game and likely win it depending on opponent.
Cmon man Tech has completely dominated UNT at Apogee since we have been in CUSA, it could surely happen again. Dont let a 1 point luck win fool you
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - Dawgxas - 08-16-2018 07:06 AM
Our Secondary will be our strong suit this year. Jmar will have to play better this year.
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - winston70 - 08-16-2018 07:13 AM
Like most teams with young QB's how good we could be depends on Smith's development at QB. It is interesting to hear Holtz talk about this year's team - he really thinks he has talent & depth this season and seems to be higher on this team than any in 5 years in Ruston.
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - louisiana_dog - 08-16-2018 07:18 AM
There are also new JUCO LBs that Tech brought in during the off season. If the passing game gets better (which it should) Tech should have a better record than last season. 8-4 to 9-3 type season. We had a depleted team by the end of last season. Hopefully the injury bug stays away this year. It will look like Many Diaz is back as the defense coordinator this year as Tech arguably has a top 15 secondary. There is depth everywhere.
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - ODU AGGIE - 08-16-2018 09:09 AM
Joe, I think you had a swing and a miss on LA Tech. I think they go 8-4, and it could be better if I'm wrong on UAB.
W- @S. Alabama (USA wasn't very good last season, and not in the same league as Tech - Yep)
W- Southern (It will get ugly - Yep)
L- @LSU (Dont' believe it will be ugly, but LSU wins the day)
W- @North Texas (Sorry, Joe. Fine has a hard day)
L- UAB (Yep - UAB will win the West)
W- @UTSA (The better team wins in San Antonio)
W- UTEP (UTEP doesn't have a chance in Ruston - yep)
L- @FAU (Yep - but it may be closer than you think)
L- @Miss State (Another SEC loss - yep)
W- Rice (See UTEP comment - yep)
W- @USM (Yep - but I had LA Tech from the get-go)
W- WKU (tough end to WKU's season - yep)
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - DETLTU - 08-16-2018 09:10 AM
W- @S. Alabama - I think we win this one without looking real impressive
W- Southern - comfortable win, but again don't look really impressive
L- @LSU- I think we play with passion and keep it closer than expected. Would love to take advantage of a down year but it's a tall order
L- @North Texas - I'm tempted to say we win this one. We didn't play them well last year but they are the favorites for a reason
W- UAB - They got lucky last year and I think they are way over rated
W- @UTSA - this will be a battle and will probably be closer than it should be.
W- UTEP - again comfortable win but we don't look impressive
L- @FAU - hoping we can keep this one respectable
L- @Miss State - Can't be worse than last year
W- Rice - comfortable win
W- @USM - Should probably pick a loss here because we can't seem to beat them, but I predict we get over the hump.
W- WKU - close game to close out the season
8-4 and miss out on the title game. I think this team will be much better than last year and people are underestimating us based on the previous record. I don't think there is anyone in the west we can't beat. The question is if we can get past the WTF games. Last year we had 2. USM and UAB. If that happens again we are 6-6. If not and we overachieve, we could be at 10 wins. I'm excited to see what happens this season.
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - AustinFromUNT - 08-16-2018 10:01 AM
(08-16-2018 09:10 AM)DETLTU Wrote: W- @S. Alabama - I think we win this one without looking real impressive
W- Southern - comfortable win, but again don't look really impressive
L- @LSU- I think we play with passion and keep it closer than expected. Would love to take advantage of a down year but it's a tall order
L- @North Texas - I'm tempted to say we win this one. We didn't play them well last year but they are the favorites for a reason
W- UAB - They got lucky last year and I think they are way over rated
W- @UTSA - this will be a battle and will probably be closer than it should be.
W- UTEP - again comfortable win but we don't look impressive
L- @FAU - hoping we can keep this one respectable
L- @Miss State - Can't be worse than last year
W- Rice - comfortable win
W- @USM - Should probably pick a loss here because we can't seem to beat them, but I predict we get over the hump.
W- WKU - close game to close out the season
8-4 and miss out on the title game. I think this team will be much better than last year and people are underestimating us based on the previous record. I don't think there is anyone in the west we can't beat. The question is if we can get past the WTF games. Last year we had 2. USM and UAB. If that happens again we are 6-6. If not and we overachieve, we could be at 10 wins. I'm excited to see what happens this season.
I think this is a pretty reasonable prediction. LA Tech lost to UNT last year @ home (yes by 1). UNT now gets LA Tech at home, after a game against Liberty (FBS transition team). LA Tech will be coming off an emotional game against their in-state big brother P5 program (LSU). Not to mention how much teams get beaten up/worn down by SEC teams. Plus look at that 4 game stretch for LA Tech: @ LSU, @ UNT, vs UAB, @ UTSA. I think LA Tech will struggle to go 2-2 in that stretch. They have to play the other 3 contenders for the west (though UTSA is the weakest of the top 4 teams they have to play UTSA on the road) in a row. Basically, even if you do somehow manage to beat UNT, it is very unlikely you win the west. You also have to play @ FAU (UNT gets FAU at home this year). I really can’t see you winning more than 6 conference games, and think you’ll be closer to 4 or 5 conference wins.
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - SouthernMiss3613 - 08-16-2018 10:13 AM
Nm
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - DETLTU - 08-16-2018 10:27 AM
(08-16-2018 10:01 AM)AustinFromUNT Wrote:4 would definitely be a disappointment for me.(08-16-2018 09:10 AM)DETLTU Wrote: W- @S. Alabama - I think we win this one without looking real impressive
W- Southern - comfortable win, but again don't look really impressive
L- @LSU- I think we play with passion and keep it closer than expected. Would love to take advantage of a down year but it's a tall order
L- @North Texas - I'm tempted to say we win this one. We didn't play them well last year but they are the favorites for a reason
W- UAB - They got lucky last year and I think they are way over rated
W- @UTSA - this will be a battle and will probably be closer than it should be.
W- UTEP - again comfortable win but we don't look impressive
L- @FAU - hoping we can keep this one respectable
L- @Miss State - Can't be worse than last year
W- Rice - comfortable win
W- @USM - Should probably pick a loss here because we can't seem to beat them, but I predict we get over the hump.
W- WKU - close game to close out the season
8-4 and miss out on the title game. I think this team will be much better than last year and people are underestimating us based on the previous record. I don't think there is anyone in the west we can't beat. The question is if we can get past the WTF games. Last year we had 2. USM and UAB. If that happens again we are 6-6. If not and we overachieve, we could be at 10 wins. I'm excited to see what happens this season.
I think this is a pretty reasonable prediction. LA Tech lost to UNT last year @ home (yes by 1). UNT now gets LA Tech at home, after a game against Liberty (FBS transition team). LA Tech will be coming off an emotional game against their in-state big brother P5 program (LSU). Not to mention how much teams get beaten up/worn down by SEC teams. Plus look at that 4 game stretch for LA Tech: @ LSU, @ UNT, vs UAB, @ UTSA. I think LA Tech will struggle to go 2-2 in that stretch. They have to play the other 3 contenders for the west (though UTSA is the weakest of the top 4 teams they have to play UTSA on the road) in a row. Basically, even if you do somehow manage to beat UNT, it is very unlikely you win the west. You also have to play @ FAU (UNT gets FAU at home this year). I really can’t see you winning more than 6 conference games, and think you’ll be closer to 4 or 5 conference wins.
I think a big part of our problem last year was health related and I think our depth is better. I also think this years team is better than last years team by a large margin (even when they were healthy). I think we may surprise some people. Hopefully starting with LSU.
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - SouthernMiss3613 - 08-16-2018 10:28 AM
(08-16-2018 12:48 AM)techdawg88 Wrote: If Tech ever has a chance against LSU then this will be the season seeing as they are now down to 2 scholarship QBs on their roster
Y'all should go after McMillan to be your starter for this year. I hope we try and get him for this year. He is good.
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - techdawg88 - 08-16-2018 11:08 AM
(08-16-2018 10:28 AM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:(08-16-2018 12:48 AM)techdawg88 Wrote: If Tech ever has a chance against LSU then this will be the season seeing as they are now down to 2 scholarship QBs on their roster
Y'all should go after McMillan to be your starter for this year. I hope we try and get him for this year. He is good.
we already have a starting QB and a QB of the future on the roster in Aaron Allen
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - HogDawg - 08-16-2018 11:27 AM
(08-16-2018 11:08 AM)techdawg88 Wrote:(08-16-2018 10:28 AM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:(08-16-2018 12:48 AM)techdawg88 Wrote: If Tech ever has a chance against LSU then this will be the season seeing as they are now down to 2 scholarship QBs on their roster
Y'all should go after McMillan to be your starter for this year. I hope we try and get him for this year. He is good.
we already have a starting QB and a QB of the future on the roster in Aaron Allen
Yep. Aaron Allen had 13 offers, including Tulane, Army, UNLV, New Mexico, and Rice, Southern Miss & UNT from CUSA. He's redshirting this year.
RE: Schedule Breakdown: LA Tech - Doots4Dawgs - 08-16-2018 11:42 AM
(08-15-2018 09:55 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote: Today, let's talk LA Tech. The Bulldogs won another bowl last season, and are on quite a streak. Some feel the Dawgs could be better given the talent in Ruston. Their offense brings back 7 starters. How much Smith's passing has progressed from last season will be a major key to the offense's success this season. On defense their are some real playmakers, especially on the D-line. But in a pass happy conference like C-USA, the secondary will have to have quite a few new starters step up.
Which games do you feel they will win, and which should they lose? What is the logic for your predictions?
Here is the schedule with my predictions. C-USA fans, I look forward to reading your thoughts.
W- @S. Alabama (USA wasn't very good last season, and not in the same league as Tech)
W- Southern (It will get ugly)
L- @LSU (It will get ugly)
L- @North Texas (Not as close as last season)
L- UAB (UAB could win the West)
L- @UTSA (Don't think Smith gets it done in San Antonio)
W- UTEP (UTEP doesn't have a chance in Ruston)
L- @FAU (Not even close)
L- @Miss State (Another SEC loss)
W- Rice (See UTEP comment)
W- @USM (Flipped my pick after Griggs news)
W- WKU (tough end to WKU's season)
Offense better. Defense same or better. 8 wins minimum. Give LSU a fight.
Thats all I will say for certain until I see my team play first.