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2009 Louisiana Tech College Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on June 19, 2009

la tech 61909 The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs gave their fans their money’s worth last season, finishing with an 8-5 record, a second place showing in the WAC, and winning the Independence Bowl. In fact, Tech’s 17-10 Independence Bowl win over Northern Illinois was its first bowl win in over 20 years. With the bar now raised, are the Bulldogs ready to take the next step in challenging the likes of Boise State for a WAC title? Get my take in this 2009 college football betting preview. Take advantage of our special $500 match bonus offer at BetUS!

Offense – Quarterback Ross Jenkins stepped in for Taylor Bennett last season and gave the Bulldogs a leader under center and a terrific manager of the game. Jenkins threw for 1,155 yards and 7 touchdowns and you can count on those numbers improving in 2009. Senior tailback Daniel Porter returns following a terrific 1,164-yard campaign in which he also tallied 9 touchdowns. This formidable backfield appears ready to take the Bulldogs offense, which scored 24.6 points per game last season, to a new level. Both Jenkins and Porter will have the luxury of operating behind an offensive line which returns all five starters, including 2nd-Team All-WAC left tackle Rob McGill.

The Bulldogs boast one of the top running games in the nation, averaging 187.1 yards per game on the ground (27th nationally), but they must provide balance with the passing game to see the offense reach its full potential. Head coach Derek Dooley has struggled to bring in playmakers at the wide receiver position, but sometimes it only takes one, and that one is the exciting Phillip Livas. Livas caught 43 passes for 607 yards last season, and he is capable of so much more. He is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the football, and actually scored four different ways in 2008 (2 receiving, 2 rushing, 2 punt returns, 1 kickoff return). Getting Livas the ball in space needs to be high on the priority list of the offense.

Defense – A few short seasons ago, the Bulldogs were one of the worst defensive teams in the nation. Coach Dooley has made this side of the ball a priority and it’s paying off. The Bulldogs should boast one of the better defensive units in the league and they will be especially tough down home in Ruston where they were 5-1 last season. The defense is led by All-WAC tackle D’Anthony “Boo” Smith. The 6′2”, 300-pound lineman is big enough to gobble up the run and quick enough to beat his man to get to the QB. He was third on the team in tackles with 65 and is the top returning sack man with 5. He helped the Bulldogs rank 13th in the nation against the run in 2008 (103.9 yards per game).

Prediction: 3rd WAC – While I think the Bulldogs will ultimately fall just short, winning the WAC is not out of the question. All the Dogs need to do is beat Boise State and Hawaii at home, take care of the league’s bottom feeders, and split their two road games at Nevada and Fresno State. Bet the WAC at Bookmaker and get a 20% cash sign up bonus!

Make sure you’re locking in your bets on the best college football lines by checking Jimmy’s live odds pages this season. And make sure you’re playing Jimmy’s football picks so you can bet with confidence.

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