Underestimated Louisiana Tech bigtime

[LATech]

Having been on this board regularly the past two weeks and every day the past week many SMU fans waaaaaay underestimated Louisiana Tech.

Did you think Louisiana Tech, a team which has been in the Top10 nationally in passing stats for about the past 10 years consecutively, had no passing game at all? QB Matt Kubik (300+ passing yards) had to be licking his chops looking at 8-9 defenders in the box on virtually every play! Given that defensive approach, of course Louisiana Tech would burn the defense for some huge gains.

SMU is the youngest team in Division 1A and that was obvious today.

Louisiana Tech is a very good team. It's hard to show that against Top 5-10 programs Auburn, Tennessee and Miami. Two of these teams will be playing for the National Championship this year.

Best of luck to SMU.

Go Dawgs, Go WAC!

[PonyFan]

I hate to admit it, LaTech, but you're right. We DID underestimate your team. At least I did. I was one of those who seriously thought an upset was possible. I knew Ryan Moats was good, but holy smokes - that was on one leg? And that Kubik kid was far better than I expected.

Good luck to LaTech.

And here's to a better performance against Fresno.

[The PonyGrad]

Maybe, but mostly I think we overestimated ourselves.

[LATech]

Yes, in my opinion expectations for this young team are way too high.

Remember that Louisiana Tech has woefully underperformed the last two years with experienced football teams. Our loss to 0-7 SMU two years ago was one of the most humbling I've experienced, since we expected to blow your doors off. Payback on a young, inexperienced team was exactly what Louisiana Tech was ready for after #5 Miami, #8 Tennesee, #17 Fresno, and #6 Auburn IN CONSECUTIVE WEEKS (those were their rankings when we played them). Then when SMU stacked the line every play DARING US TO PASS... Wow- amazing that Bennett stubbornly stacked the line every play after the 93 yard TD pass!!!!! Hello?

We WILL be in the 2004 WAC Championship race regardless of what sportswriters or anyone else wants. Tech had an opportunity to show off our passing game and took it, except in the 4th quarter.

Good luck to SMU in the future. I will miss the Louisiana Tech/SMU football and basketball games.

Go Dawgs, Go WAC!

[SMUguy]

I don't blame Coach Bennett for stacking the line against the run. Ryan Moats is one of the best RBs in the country, if not the best. Had we stood back to gameplan against the pass, Moats (sore ankle, huh?) would have had 300-plus yards. He's a sensational runner. He's extremely fast, he changes direction very quickly when he bounces it outside, and he hits his top speed in a couple of steps. I knew he was good, but I confess (even after seeing him on TV this year) I didn't realize he was THAT good. He'll be making a handsome living in the NFL one day.

Idle thought: what are the chances he leaves a year early for the NFL? Or will he stay in Ruston for his senior year?

[LATech]

what are the chances he (Ryan Moats) leaves a year early for the NFL? Or will he stay in Ruston for his senior year?

All the Louisiana Tech fans can do is hope he stays. As you saw he is as close to a Barry Sanders clone as there has been since, well, Barry Sanders. Moats tries to emulate Sanders completely.

Whatever Ryan decides, his character is such that he will likely give back to Tech by either staying for his Sr. year, giving the school a portion of his anticipated NFL contract, or perhaps both.

Moats is truly an extraordinary young man- on and off the football field.

[Sam I Am]

LaTech, your receivers burned our defenders with their speed, and so did Moats. Your team is very good indeed and might win the WAc. For sure you will be in a bowl game. As for SMU, being young is not an excuse. No team was ever younger, less talented, and had fewer scholarship players than the 1989 team. They found a way to win with a lot more restrictions than we have today. Others have done more with less.