(This is the 13th in a series previewing Sun Belt Conference teams and Louisiana’s n conference opponents.  Today:  Louisiana Tech).

After a senior-laden season where Louisiana Tech moved into the national rankings, only to lose their last two games to finish 9-3 (and get left out in the cold in the bowl scenario because of their egos), there wasn’t much for new coach Skip Holtz to work with.

And it showed in the record.

Louisiana Tech struggled to a 4-8 record in its first year in Conference USA and their wins came over an FCS school and three conference foes that combined for a 4-32 record.  The problems were many.  But it started under center, where both Texas Tech transfer Scotty Young and redshirt freshman Ryan Higgins were not very effective.  Higgins completed 59% of his passes, but threw for only six touchdowns against 13 interceptions.  This fall, Higgins has been beaten out by fifth-year transfer from Iowa Cody Sokol and Ironically, Sokol went to the same junior college as former Tech quarterback Tim Rattay.

The running game is in solid shape.  Kenneth Dixon rushed for 917 yards in eight starts last year before being injured.  He also caught 14 passes out of the backfield.  Sophomore Tevin King was actually the starter early last season.  He, too, had injury problems and finished with 539 yards.  If these two can stay healthy, this position will be a big plus.  The Bulldogs return leading receiver Sterling Griffin, but lost the next three receivers.  Trent Taylor caught 28 balls and he’ll start for Tech.  LSU Transfer Paul Turner is expected to make an impact right away.  On the offensive line, three starters are gone, but there’s actually a little more experience up front than Tech started with last year.

Tech was hit hard on the defensive line, losing an all-CUSA defensive end and both tackles.  Vontarrius Dora is the only starter returning.  Tech is counting on Illinois transfer Houston Bates to take over on the other side.  But there isn’t a whole lot of experience at defensive tackle.  Two seniors who came in as JUCO’s a year ago are back.  Mitch Villemez was third on the team in tackles a year ago.  Everyone in the two deep returns for Tech, including all-CUSA honorable mention cornerback Adarius Barnes.

Both kickers return for the Bulldogs.  Kyle Fischer was 18-23 in FG last year, while P Logan McPherson averaged 38 yards per punt.  Their kicking game should be solid.

The schedule doesn’t do Louisiana Tech any favors, especially early in the season.  The Bulldogs play four of their first five games on the road, including non conference games at Oklahoma and Auburn as well as Louisiana.  In addition, the Bulldogs have only five home games.  But the good news is their CUSA schedule.  They avoid Marshall, FAU and Middle Tennessee from the East Division.  From the East, they get newcomer WKU at home and travel to UAB (2-10 last year) and FBS newcomer Old Dominion.  They’ve got a very winnable road game in Southern Miss and get lowly UTEP, along with division favorite UTSA at home.

OUTLOOK:  Last year the cupboard was pretty bare for Holtz, as Tech lost the seniors that Sonny Dykes brought in from junior college.  And, honestly, they weren’t very good on either side of the football.  The two running backs couldn’t stay healthy, in part because the QB play was so shaky.  The Bulldogs will be better this season.  If Sokol gets the job done, they might be a lot better.  But they’ll have to be in order to have a chance to beat the good teams on their schedule.  I think they play enough of the weak CUSA sisters to where they’ve got a good chance to be .500 or better.  But those wins against teams that were 4-32 a year ago makes you wonder just how much better they can get in just one season.

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