Louisiana Tech football game-by-game predictions in Sonny Cumbie's first year
Louisiana Tech football ushers in the Sonny Cumbie era with a similarly high-octane offense that Cumbie deployed as the offensive coordinator at Texas Tech.
Cumbie enters a tenuous time in Conference USA, with Marshall, Southern Miss and Old Dominion defecting to the Sun Belt Conference. As a result, C-USA has done away with the divisional format this season.
Here are game-by-game predictions for the Bulldogs in 2022:
Sept. 1: at Missouri
Last year: Did not play. Tigers went 6-7.
The buzz: It's the second straight season Tech is opening an SEC opponent. Last year, the Bulldogs fell to Mississippi State 35-34. Tech starter Matthew Downing has SEC experience after starting his college career at Georgia.
The pick: Missouri wins, 34-28
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Sept. 10: vs. Stephen F. Austin
Last year: Did not play. Lumberjacks went 8-4.
The buzz: Cumbie's first home game marks the sixth meeting in this series, though the last game came in 2000 − a 34-31 Stephen F. Austin win.
The pick: Louisiana Tech wins, 28-21
Sept. 17: at Clemson
Last year: Did not play. Tigers went 10-3
The buzz: Clemson is a top-10 team entering the season and has never lost in three meetings against Tech. That won't change this season.
The pick: Clemson wins, 48-35.
Sept. 24: at South Alabama
Last year: Did not play. Jaguars went 5-7.
The buzz: The Jaguars lost the core of their offense, which tilts the advantage toward Tech in the first meeting between the programs.
The pick: Louisiana Tech wins, 21-14.
Oct. 8: vs University of Texas at El Paso
Last year: UTEP won 19-3. The Miners went 7-6.
The buzz: The Bulldogs open Conference USA play against UTEP. The Miners broke Louisiana Tech's eight-game win streak in the series in last year's meeting. The Miners finished fourth in the C-USA West Division.
The pick: UTEP wins, 28-18.
Oct. 15: at North Texas
Last year: Louisiana Tech won, 24-17. The Mean Green went 6-7.
The buzz: North Texas finished third in the Conference USA West last season and are seasoned at quarterback the 28-year-old Austin Aune, who spent six seasons in the New York Yankees organization. The Mean Green also has a deep running back group, giving it the advantage in this game.
The pick: North Texas wins, 26-24.
Oct. 22: vs Rice
Last year: Rice won, 35-31. Owls went 4-8.
The buzz: The Owls have been on the hunt for consistency and have yet to find it. After battling quarterback injuries and position changes, the Owls will flutter against the Bulldogs.
The pick: Louisiana Tech wins, 28-24.
Oct. 28: at FIU
Last year: Did not play. Panthers went 1-11.
The buzz: FIU is undergoing serious reconstruction under first-year coach Mike MacIntyre, after a 1-16 record the last two seasons. Tech is 4-0 in the all-time series.
The pick: Louisiana Tech wins, 35-21.
Nov. 5: vs Middle Tennessee
Last year: Did not play. Blue Raiders went 7-6.
The buzz: The Blue Raiders found their groove late last season, carrying that into a bowl win against Toledo. The last time the two programs met was in 2016, a 38-34 win for MTSU. The Bulldogs lead the series 3-2.
The pick: Middle Tennessee wins, 36-24
Nov. 12: at University of Texas at San Antonio
Last year: UTSA won 45-16. The Roadrunners went 12-2.
The buzz: The Roadrunners come into the season as the defending Conference USA champion and will leave this game still in contention to repeat.
The pick: UTSA wins, 41-20
Nov. 19: at Charlotte
Last year: Louisiana Tech won 42-32. The 49ers went 5-7.
The buzz: 49ers offense is led by fifth-year quarterback Chris Reynolds, who pairs well with C-USA 2021 freshman of the year Elijah Spencer at receiver.
The pick: Charlotte wins, 34-28
Nov. 26: UAB
Last year: UAB won 52-38. The Blazers went 9-4.
The Buzz: UAB comes into the season with a tough defense, with former defensive coordinator Bryant Vincent replacing longtime coach Bill Clark. That'll be enough in this game.
The pick: UAB wins, 36-24.
Emely Hernandez covers sports for the News-Star. Email her at ehernandez@thenewsstar.com and follow her on Twitter @emhernandeznews.
This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Louisiana Tech football schedule 2022: game-by-game season predictions
