The resiliency you will find in most Louisianans also resides in the hearts of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. This season, they will leave their 3-9 record of 2022 in the dust. Coach Cumbie has a plan, and he's cultivating the talent in current players and bringing it from other teams when necessary. He is a man with a plan. For all things LA Tech, follow us at fanbuzz.com.
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La. Tech 2023 Preview
The conference: Conference USA
2022 record: 3-9 overall, 2-6 in conference.
Conference finish: 10th in the C-USA
Head coach: Sonny Cumbie's first season as head coach at LA Tech was last year, and he will coach the Bulldogs again in 2023. His overall HC record is 5-12.
Five all-star candidates: Jeslord Boateng, Linebacker, transfer from Akron/Michigan State (27 TKL, 13 solo); Hank Bachmeier, Quarterback, transfer from Boise State (Four-year record at Boise: 13,150 Passing YDS, 2,190 rushing YDS, 188 TD); Smoke Harris, Wide Receiver (640 YDS, 9.7 AVG, 5 TD; Punt returns: 236 YDS, AVG 12.4; Kick returns: 517 YDS, AVG 27.2); Marquis Crosby, Running Back (918 NET, 5.0 YPR, 9 TD); Cyrus Allen, Running Back (500 YDS, 22.7 AVG, 4 TD).
The newcomer: Tyre Shelton, RB, transfer from Miami/Ohio (321 YDS, 3.8 AVG).
Tyre Shelton (Miami University Athletics).
The Breakdown
The Bulldogs are simultaneously holding onto some name-brand talent on their roster while rebuilding with some very promising transfers. Any time you rely on people green to the team, the level of success of the team becomes harder to estimate.
LA Tech has a chance to take its new and improved team and give the C-USA a challenge. Its schedule does have some fiery foes, but the Bulldogs also have some lesser competition for greater win possibilities.
Cumbie has kept most of his coaching staff from last year, so there is experience and a sense of continuity for players and coaches alike. Cumbie has a vision; he's excited about 2023, and we can't wait to see what another year under his leadership will bring.
The Key Games
The key games will be those the Bulldogs have against teams they usually win against or usually lose to — with little middle ground. And of course, an upset win is always spicy and welcomed.
LA Tech has beaten the North Texas Mean Green the last four times they played. Can they do it again? North Texas is in a new conference and making changes and could choose to rewrite the script. The same question exists with New Mexico State, which is now a conference rival. Will the Bulldogs make it their seventh win in a row?
On the other hand, the Bulldogs don't have great success with Middle Tennessee. Can they win their first game since 1984 against the Blue Raiders?
The Toughest Games
The Bulldogs will face their toughest opponents in the second game of their season on Sept. 2. The AAC's SMU Mustangs will be their opponent. Enough said. And obviously C-USA frontrunner Western Kentucky? Yeah, that goes without saying.
The Chances of Reaching the C-USA Title Game
The Bulldogs have exciting prospective milestones heading into the 2023 season. Reaching the C-USA title game is not one of those milestones, in this author's opinion.
Only you can prevent forest fires and be the best LA Tech fan there is (Emerald McIntyre/Louisiana Tech University).
The Prediction
6-6. An optimistic doubling of wins from last year. The new talent and 2023 schedule could very well allow it.
The Big Ten can get used to big losses against LA Tech, who will dog them until the big boys give up. Northwestern and (hopefully for the Bulldogs) Nebraska will fall to their Pelican State foes down in Louisiana.
There are in-conference first-time opponents like Liberty and Sam Houston who LA Tech could go 50-50 against — likely will a loss and a win, respectively.
Reunions will also occur. LA Tech and Jacksonville State have not faced off since 1939, when the Bulldogs beat the pants off of the Gamecocks. Can they do it again, repeating the feat from the leather-helmet days? It should be a good matchup.
