This has the makings of a high-scoring affair as the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (5-3) meet the Rice Owls (4-3). A player to watch in this matchup is the CUSA’s top passer, Jeff Driskel (2,409 yards, 15 TDs). Louisiana Tech comes into this game looking to add to its recent success, having won four of its last five. The game will begin Friday, Oct 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on FS1.
Rice beat Army West Point 38-31 last week. Zach Wright had a good game in the win, registering six receptions for 79 yards and one TD. Temi Alaka added 98 receiving yards on six receptions. Louisiana Tech managed to get the win as well, cruising past Middle Tennessee 45-16. Kenneth Dixon had a big game on the ground for the Bulldogs, gaining 66 yards and three TDs on 14 carries. He added 52 yards and a TD on two receptions. Jeff Driskel had a big game as well, totaling 294 yards and two TDs through the air.
The Owls, a 10-point underdog, will be looking to defend their home field when Louisiana Tech comes to town.
The Owls enter the game with records of 4-3 Straight Up (SU) and 5-2 Against The Spread (ATS) this season. Over their last five games, the Owls have records of 3-2 for both SU and ATS. The Owls may capitalize on a fragile Bulldogs pass defense that allows a 63.2% completion percentage.
On the other side, the Bulldogs have 5-3 SU and 4-4 ATS records this season. In the previous five games, Louisiana Tech has a record of 4-1 SU and 2-3 ATS. If earlier games are any indication, the Bulldogs will throw the ball a lot. They average 315.2 passing yards per game, good enough for 16th in Division I. Lately, the Bulldogs have had a better run defense. They’re allowing only 78.6 rushing YPG over their last five matchups. There is no feeling-out process to start a game for the Bulldogs, who average 9.5 points in the first quarter. Special teams usually provides a spark for Louisiana Tech. They average the 19th-most return yards in the nation with 112.5.
Predictions: SU Winner – Louisiana Tech, ATS Winner – Louisiana Tech
Notes
Rice is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Rice’s last 7 games.
Rice is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Rice’s last 6 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Rice’s last 5 games when playing Louisiana Tech.
Louisiana Tech is 5-1 SU when leading at the half this season. Rice is 3-0 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
Remarkably, Louisiana Tech is winless (0-3 SU) in games where it comes out ahead in the turnover battle, yet undefeated (3-0 SU) when losing the turnover battle.
According to overall FBS team rankings, Louisiana Tech is rated higher in the ground game on both sides of the ball. Its 76th-ranked rushing attack will face the 108th-ranked run defense of Rice, while its 12th-ranked run defense will look to contain the 37th-ranked rushing game of the Owls.
