I am out of clever introductions at the moment, so I will cut to the chase. Coming in at #5 in our C-USA Football Preview are the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech aka "LATech."
The quiet "underdog"
Get it? Underdog?
Lurking behind teams like offensive juggernaut (WKU), a C-USA veteran team (Marshall), and a division foe (Southern Miss.), stand the Bulldogs: growling and waiting to attack.
Heading into their fourth season as a member of C-USA, and under the direction of head coach Skip Holtz (yes, the son of Lou Holtz), LATech has improved each and every year:
-4-8 (2013)
-9-5 (2014)
-9-4 (2015)
They are a consistent team that, surprisingly, does not get a lot of attention or recognition: something they probably see as a blessing in disguise. When you post back-to-back nine-win seasons, and you do not receive the credit you think you deserve, you probably 1) have a chip on your shoulder and 2) cannot wait to catch teams sleeping on you.
Since [previous head coach] Sonny Dykes' departure in 2012, LATech has gradually turned into Holtz's team: his players, his coaches. Not only are fans watching to see if the Bulldogs can sustain success, but watching Holtz, his recruits, and his hires.
Well, that is one way to start the season...
As if saying goodbye to a star-quarterback and star-running back was not difficult enough, the Bulldogs will start their season without their starting quarterback.
On August 5, quarterback Ryan Higgins was arrested on charges of DWI and speeding. During a press conference, Holtz indicated Higgins will not start the season opener at Arkansas which has been interpreted by many as "Higgins will not start, but he will be available to play against Arkansas in some capacity." According to Holtz, Higgins will receive various disciplinary measures - counseling, community service, drinking and driving education, and so on - and Holtz will keep a close eye on how Higgins handles the measures.
I cannot and will not sugarcoat it. Higgins' poor choice could potentially affect the season should he not cooperate with the team disciplinary actions. Will Higgins not starting the Arkansas game affect the outcome? Probably not as Arkansas is heavily favored to win. Regardless, the Higgins situation should be monitored going forward.
On offense
With the departure of offensive coordinator, Tony Petersen, Holtz selected Boston College's Todd Fitch. The Fitch hire has left many people scratching their head. How do I put this lightly? Boston College was not exactly...great...on offense: ranking 126th (out of 128) in total offense. However, Fitch and Holtz have a history together. Fitch was the offensive coordinator at the University of South Florida and East Carolina University when Holtz was the head coach at the respective schools.
The Fitch hire, in addition to Higgins' DWI and the loss of Jeff Driskel and Kenneth Dixon, will change the offensive landscape.
Regardless of the incident, Higgins will remain the starting quarterback as long as he stays out of trouble. Replacing Driskel - who threw for 4,033 yards and 27 touchdowns -is no easy task. For the first time in two years, a transfer quarterback will not be leading the offense. Higgins actually had some starting time in 2013 before backing up Cody Sokol and Driskel. As a starter, then backup, Higgins' numbers were not out of this world. However, a strong spring game performance showed signs of major growth and potential with 469 yards and 5 touchdowns. The upside, Higgins has been with the team since 2013 and knows the system. You know the downside at this point.
What could be worse than losing Driskel? Losing Dixon. The numbers speak for themselves. In 2015, Dixon scored 26 touchdowns: accounting for 32% of the team's total points. He was both the leading rusher and #4 receiver for the Bulldogs. For a hot second, Dixon held the FBS career touchdowns record before Navy's Keenan Reynolds claimed the accolade. Now, it is up to Jarred Craft and Boston Scott to fill this humongous void in the backfield. Both have seen playing time. Combined, they accounted for only 505 rushing yards in 2015: 565 yards "shy" of Dixon's total. Not to be a Debby Downer, but even Driskel was second on the team in rushing with 323 yards.
We have the bad news out of the way, now on to some good. The Bulldogs will return their two best receivers: Trent Taylor and Carlos Henderson. Taylor - a first-team All-C-USA honoree - accumulated 1,282 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns while Henderson posted 774 yards and 5 touchdowns. The dynamic duo looks to offset any inconsistencies stemming from the quarterback or running corps. With Taylor and Henderson's ability to get open, this will help Higgins as he tries to find his rhythm.
Keeping pressure off of the quarterback and creating holes for the running corps should not be a problem for the returning offensive line. Three key returners and one lineman back from injury might just be the Bulldogs saving grace. The battle will begin in the trenches, but it will be up to the skill players to win the war.
On Defense
In 2015, the defense allowed 26.8 points per game and were ranked 62nd in scoring defense. Whatever accomplishments the defense made in 2015 will be stifled in 2016. The Bulldogs are losing eight starters, all of which were in the top ten in total tackles for the team. 2016 is looking pretty ominous considering the defense will have to rely on youth and first-time starters.
With that, the defense is highlighted by two key contributors from the 2015 campaign: Xavier Woods (S) and Jaylon Ferguson (DE). Woods will be expected to lead a depleted secondary that lacks experience and depth. In 2015, Woods ranked #5 in total tackles with 45 and added 3 interceptions. Ferguson, a Freshman All-American and C-USA All-Freshman, led the team in tackles for loss with 14 and added 6 sacks; he will look to improve in 2016 to prove his 2015 season was not a fluke.
With so many holes to fill, there are a lot of unknowns. The defense will have to rely on two proven returners and the ability of inexperienced replacements to produce.
There is a lot to prove
While back-to-back nine-win seasons is obviously impressive, and one of the better records in the Group of Five, I have to wonder if the Bulldogs ever maximized their potential in 2014 and 2015 with elite players.
2016 will be a challenge for LATech and Holtz. The team is out to prove that without key contributors (Driskel, Dixon, defense), they can still compete for a C-USA Championship. Pressure will be on Holtz to replace players that were recruited by the Dykes' regime and to prove he can win with his recruiting efforts.
My guess is LATech will take a step back but will not crash and burn.
Schedule & Prediction
Sept. 3 @ Arkansas
Sept. 10 South Carolina St.
Sept. 17 @ Texas Tech
Sept. 24 @ Middle Tennessee
Oct. 1 UTEP
Oct. 6 WKU
Oct. 15 @ UMass
Oct. 22 @ FIU
Oct. 29 Rice
Nov. 5 @ North Texas
Nov. 12 UTSA
Nov. 25 @ Southern Miss.
Prediction: 8-4 with wins over South Carolina St., Middle Tennessee, UTEP, UMass, FIU, Rice, North Texas, and UTSA.
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