LA Tech Ready to Make a Run at CUSA Title

(This is the sixth in a series of 14 stories previewing the Sun Belt Conference and opponents of the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns.  Today:  Louisiana Tech.  The Cajuns and Bulldogs meet at Ruston's Joe Aillet Stadium on Oct. 3.)

Coming off a 4-8 record in Skip Holtz' first year in 2013, not many were sold on Louisiana Tech heading into the 2014 season.  That was their mistake.  Tech rode the arm of senior transfer Cody Sokol and the legs of running back Kenneth Dixon to a 9-5 record, a berth in the CUSA championship game and a bowl win over Illinois.  Only an inexplicable loss to Northwestern State at home kept the Bulldogs from having double digit wins.  And, with 13 starters returning, Tech is hoping for more of the same...or better.

OFFENSE:  Sokol turned out to be a Godsend for Holtz and the Bulldogs as he threw for 3,436 yards and 30 touchdowns with 13 interceptions last year.  He's gone, but Tech will once again go the senior transfer route as Florida's Jeff Driskel joins the Bulldogs.  Driskel lost his job as the Gators' starting QB midway through the season after throwing for nine touchdowns and ten interceptions.  It might not be fair to ask Driskel to put up Sokol's numbers, but he may not have to.  RB Kenneth Dixon already has a school record 17 100 yard games and rushed for 1,299 and 22 touchdowns a year ago, including a 99 yard run against the Cajuns.  Tech also returns their top three wideouts, with Trent Taylor (64-834-9) leading the way.  The Bulldogs also return three of their top five offensive linemen, including UL transfer Joseph Brunson who started eight games for the Bulldogs a season ago.

DEFENSE---All-CUSA defensive lineman Vernon Butler leads an experienced defensive line that lost just one starter, albeit a good one in Houston Bates.  Three of the four defensive backs return as well, with Adairius Barnes (five int) the best of the bunch on a unit that should be one of CUSA's best.  The question mark is at linebacker, where all three starters have departed.  However, the projected starters had 132 tackles a season ago, so there's plenty of experience.

SPECIAL TEAMS:  Although K Jonathan Barnes and P Logan McPherson didn't wow anyone with stats, both were pretty consistent and both return.  The two top return men are back as well and with that kind of experience, Tech should be solid in the kicking game.

SCHEDULE:  While Tech will be underdogs in two games on the road against P5 schools, neither opponent (Miss. St. Kansas St.) is picked anywhere near the top of their respective leagues.  Tech could set an attendance record facing Southern in the opener and the Cajuns should bring a crowd as well.  The Bulldogs cut through a weak CUSA West Division last year and honestly, that bunch doesn't look to be much better this year either.  Tech's only loss in league play was an upset at Old Dominion and the Monarchs are not on the schedule this year.  Two of their three East opponents (Middle Tennesse, FIU) go to Ruston.  The big league game comes early, as the Bulldogs travel to Bowling Green to take on WKU's juggernaut offense on a short week after Southern.

OUTLOOK:  This is a good football team.  They've got experience all over the field and much of that experience has shown they can get it done,especially at the skill positions. If they can get past WKU, there isn't much to stop them from going unbeaten in CUSA play and they gave Marshall all they wanted in the title game before falling late.  Driskell probably won't put up Sokol's numbers.  But if he's anywhere in the ball park, this team has a chance to be really, really good.

(Information from Phil Steele's College Football Preview contributed to this report)