The first two years of his tenure at Louisiana Tech haven’t been easy for head coach Sonny Cumbie.
The Bulldogs went 3-9 in each of his first two seasons, establishing a pattern after going 3-9 in 2021. It’s been five seasons since LA Tech’s last bowl game and winning season, when it went 10-3 under Skip Holtz. LA Tech hasn’t played for a Conference USA title since 2016.
Last year saw the Bulldogs lose four one-possession games, including a pair of three-point defeats. The Bulldogs have also been injury plagued. I’m not saying LA Tech would have made it to a bowl game last season if it had a couple of breaks go its way, but maybe the Bulldogs could have squeezed out a couple more wins. Their other five losses came in games that weren’t very competitive, so I imagine Cumbie is expecting a little more consistency from his group in 2024.
Louisiana Tech Football’s Conference USA Title Odds
Louisiana Tech’s odds to win Conference USA are +2500, via BetMGM.
Louisiana Tech Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Louisiana Tech’s win total Over/Under is 4.5, with the Over at -155 and the Under at +130.
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Louisiana Tech Football’s 2024 Schedule
8/31 vs Nicholls
9/7 at North Carolina State
9/21 vs Tulsa
9/28 at FIU
10/12 vs MTSU
10/15 at NMSU
10/22 vs UTEP
10/29 at Sam Houston
11/9 vs Jacksonville State
11/16 at WKU
11/23 at Arkansas
11/30 vs Kennesaw State
Bold indicates CUSA contests
Key Louisiana Tech Football Returners
2023 All-CUSA Second Team
KR Demarcus Griffin-Taylor
Louisiana Tech Football Has To Avoid Injury Woes
For the second consecutive season, LA Tech’s starting QB was injured and had to miss time last year. As a matter of fact, the Bulldogs’ top two options in 2022 missed quite a bit of time. Last year it was Hank Bachmeier who missed four games with a shoulder injury.
The running back room was depleted last season. Marquis Crosby was injured on his first carry of the season after he was expected to have a breakout year. Backup Keith Willis missed five games while Tyre Shelton didn’t play in four.
But the guy who came to the rescue the last two years will now have the reins of the offense. Jack Turner filled in in 2022 as a true freshman and started four games last season where he passed for 1,017 yards and five touchdowns. He also tossed five interceptions. Turner is the No. 1 guy entering the year after patiently waiting for the opportunity. LA Tech went 1-3 in his starts, but he showed potential.
Turner almost brought the Bulldogs back from a double-digit deficit against North Texas after Bachmeier left the game. Trailing 30-14 in the third quarter, Turner orchestrated a comeback but the Bulldogs fell short 40-37. Even though they were dealing with injuries to some of their key players, the Bulldogs still finished fifth in CUSA in scoring offense, averaging 23.9 points per game. They averaged 21.25 points per game during Turner’s four starts.
Cumbie has faith in Turner, who will have the opportunity to spark some life in this program during what may be a hot seat year for the coach. Turner should have a solid supporting cast with Crosby returning and RB Donerio Davenport transferring from Texas State, creating a solid backfield. Although the Bulldogs lost some all-conference wide receivers, they brought in a pair of promising transfer wideouts in Jimmy Holiday (Western Kentucky) and Abdul Fatal-Ibrahim (Bowling Green). They also return Tru Edwards.
One area where the Bulldogs must improve is their rush defense, which ranked last in CUSA after allowing 232 yards per game. LA Tech had a solid secondary last season but that core group of guys is gone, including first-team all-conference selection Willie Roberts, who is currently with the Seattle Seahawks. The rush defense must be more effective, especially since the secondary might take a step back.
2024 Louisiana Tech Football Season Prediction
Louisiana Tech won’t win CUSA this season, but there is a chance the Bulldogs can reach a bowl game given their light schedule. Six wins will still be a stretch, but I think there are four games that the Bulldogs could very well win and at least two others where they should be competitive.
I wouldn’t bet on the Bulldogs to go Over 4.5 wins because the juice is so high and I do not trust them that much until they prove to me otherwise, but if the odds moved to Over/Under 5 wins with a better price, then it might be something to consider.
It doesn’t seem like LA Tech will be any worse than it was the last two seasons, and four or five wins seems right on point for the Bulldogs.
