Game Information
Time: November 7, 2015 2:30 pm CT
Location: Joe Aillet Stadium, Ruston, Louisiana
Line: LA Tech -30
TV: Fox College Sports
Radio: KHYI 95.3 FM KNTU 88.1 FM KGAF 1580 AM
Weather: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 61. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Team Information
LA Tech
North Texas
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| Jeff Driskel has been really good this year. He is going to be tough to stop for North Texas. Plus you have to take into account that he is surrounded by a good ground game and talent at the WR position. Trent Taylor has been outstanding and is Driskel’s favorite WR. Taylor is 3rd in the nation in receptions with 72. | ||
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| Kenneth Dixon hasn’t been great this year, but he has been efficient. Dixon’s ability has really opened up the Tech passing game. Dixon hasn’t been good against North Texas in the past, but he hasn’t had a QB as good as Driskel playing alongside him. Dixon should have no problem hitting 100 yards. | ||
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| The North Texas DL has steadily been getting better, but they face a pretty good LA Tech OL this week. I’m not sure that North Texas has the pass rush to really affect Driskel. I also don’t think the Mean Green will be able get off blocks to clog up rushing lanes for Dixon. It’s going to be a tough day for the UNT DL | ||
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| Louisiana Tech is vulnerable in the pass game, but North Texas has really struggled to establish consistency with it. In all fairness to DaMarcus Smith he has yet to have a normal week until now. I expect him to finally connect on a few deep passes, but I think LA Tech wins this match-up. | ||
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| This is the best run defense NT has faced since the Iowa game. Tech plays fast and downhill. The North Texas run offense may be the best in CUSA now that DaMarcus Smith and Jeffrey Wilson have got in a grove. Clearly this is the best match-up of the game. I feel like North Texas should find some success, but I’m not sure the Mean Green can eclipse the 200 yard mark again. | ||
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| The North Texas OL has been road grading the past few weeks. They’ve used their athleticism and have gotten to where we thought they’d be when the season started. NT still struggles with blitz pick up and pass protection. Vernon Butler and Jaylon Ferguson have been straight dominating. Butler will be drafted to the NFL. Ferguson is just a redshirt freshman. Both of those guys will be a tough match-up. | ||
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| The North Texas punting game is STRONG and NT finally got a decent punt return last week. Maybe Tre Johnson will continue to get more comfortable with his role as PR. | ||
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| DaMarcus Smith - 73 | Jeff Driskel - 87 | |
| Jeffery Wilison - 83 | Kenneth Dixon - 84 | |
| Carlos Harris - 81 | Bryson Abraham - 79 | |
| Chad Davis - 70 | Trent Taylor. - 80 | |
| Sam Rice - 80 | Vernon Butler - 90 | |
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| North Texas Total Offense | 353 Yards | |
| North Texas Pass Offense | 173 Yards | |
| North Texas Run Offense | 180 Yards | |
| LA Tech Total Offense | 505 Yards | |
| LA Tech Pass Offense | 301 Yards | |
| LA Tech Run Offense | 204 Yards | |
| LA Tech | 37 | |
| North Texas | 22 | |
GAME PLAN FOR VICTORY
How LA Tech will Win
For Tech its really simple. Stay balance on offense, because North Texas should have trouble with stopping both the run and pass. On defense you can attack North Texas a couple of ways. You can either play Cover 0 forcing the WR’s to beat press man. I dont think the NT WRs can win those battles. The only thing you risk by doing this is turning your back on DaMarcus Smith who is a big time running threat. Tech could also give NT lots of zone looks forcing Smith to go through multiple reads, which we know he struggles with. Id imagine you’ll see Tech do a little of both. Man on early downs and zone on 3rd down. I also think Tech will have some sort of a spy on Smith.
How North Texas will Win
The Mean Green’s chances rest on the arm of DaMarcus Smith in this game. Tech will be selling out to stop the run. The Bulldogs arent that strong in the secondary and could be susceptible to getting beat over the top. Smith has the talent get the ball to open WR’s, but he is struggling with accuracy and timing. If Smith can hit on a few big passes down the field it will most likely open up the running game. North Texas also must use Tech’s aggressiveness against them. I think NT should use some screen action and run a reverse early to keep the defense guessing. On the defensive end the game rests on the DL. Those big guys have be able to get pressure on Driskel and clog up the run lanes. Tech is a team that NT cant really blitz, because they need all the extra guys they can get in coverage. Driskel is too good to be blitzed a lot. Finally North Texas needs big plays from the special teams and needs to force a few turnovers to have any chance.
CUSA/NCAA WEEKLY PICKS
LA Tech over North Texas ( Picking North Texas to cover)
Rice over UTEP
FIU over Charlotte
WKU over FAU
Marshall over MTSU
UTSA over ODU
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