PonyFans.com preview: LOUISIANA TECH

[PonyPride]

The 2002 season has been one of frustration for SMU, but it also been a year of questions for this week's opponent: Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs, in just their first year in the Western Athletic Conference, surprised everyone with a 7-5 overall record that included a sparkling 7-1 mark against WAC foes, earning the Bulldogs the WAC championship and a trip to the Crucial.com Humanitarian Bowl (which they lost, 49-24, to Clemson).

The 'Dogs entered this season as co-favorites in the WAC (along with Boise State) according to many publications, but have lost four of their first six games. But make no mistake, LaTech is a talented team. Three of those four losses have come against prominent national programs (Clemson, Penn State and Texas A&M), before the team fell short Oct. 5 in Houston against Rice, 37-20. And the Bulldogs' victories have been impressive: LaTech opened the season with a 39-36 win over the Oklahoma State team that routed SMU earlier this season, and followed that two weeks later with a 53-9 obliteration of Tulsa.

LaTech has been outscored by an average of 32.5 points per game to 24.2. But the Bulldogs are very capable offensively, as shown by the season's first downs, in which LaTech trails by just one, 113-112. And bear in mind that LaTech's coaching staff has had two weeks to prepare for SMU, since the 'Dogs had a bye week last week.

Teams can run on the Bulldogs, who have given up 174.7 yards per game while mustering 103.8 rushing yards per game of their own. But where the 'Dogs stand out is when they take to the air: LaTech has thrown for 276.5 yards per game, while allowing 195.3 yards per game. (That statistic might be partially skewed by two facts: four of their early opponents -- Clemson, Penn State, Texas A&M and Rice -- are run-oriented teams, and when teams have had a big lead, they are prone to run the ball to burn the clock, rather than to throw the ball and risk incomplete passes, which stop the clock.)

Louisiana Tech is next to last in the WAC in turnover margin (-8), which is a stat many coaches point to as vital to a team's success (San Jose State is tied for the conference lead at +5, which has helped lead the Spartans to their surprising 4-2 start). But Tulsa also is tied for the WAC lead in turnovers, and many consider the Golden Hurricane to be the worst team in Div. I-A. And the Bulldogs' quick-strike ability allows LaTech to score quickly, thereby partially reducing the importance of the turnover statistic.

The LaTech aerial game is orchestrated by junior QB Luke McCown (6-4, 200), the younger brother of former SMU (and current Arizona Cardinals reserve) QB Josh McCown and former Texas A&M QB Randy McCown. Like Josh, Luke has a very strong, accurate arm and better mobility than many think (like Josh, Luke isn't overly elusive but can cover a lot of ground when in a flat-out sprint). Through six games, McCown has put the ball up an average of 44 times per game, completing 155-of-264 for 1,560 yards, 11 interceptions and 8 touchdowns. His average of 265 passing yards per game is the third-highest average in the WAC, trailing Nevada's Zack Threadgill (310.2) and Hawaii's Timmy Chang (287.2).

McCown's favorite targets are senior RB Joe Smith (6-1, 180), who has a team-high 29 receptions out of the backfield, but he's averaged just 5.5 yards per catch, for a total of 153 yards. The 'Dogs' second-leading receiver is junior WR D.J. Curry (5-10, 167), who has 28 receptions for 277 yards (9.9) and a touchdown. Junior WR Chris Norwood (6-1, 180) has 24 catches for 276 yards (11.5) and a touchdown, while junior WR Erick Franklin (5-11, 191) has 19 receptions for 251 yards, for an average of 13.2 yards per catch. He has a team-leading two touchdown catches this year, and is a deep threat, having caught McCown's longst pass of the season: 61 yards.

Smith leads an underrated LaTech ground game that would have been utilized more had the 'Dogs not found themselves throwing the ball in early games will playing catch-up. Through six games, Smith has 98 carries for 486 yards (5.0 yards per carry) and 5 rushing toucdowns. McCown also has rushed for a pair of scores.

The offensive line is ancored by its bookends, senior LT Tywoin Breaux (6-5, 300) and senior RT Damian Lavergne (6-6, 328). The starting line averages 6-5, 301. And considering how many times McCown throws, the 13 sacks surrendered this year are impressive.

Junior free safety Michael Johnson (5-8, 183) leads the team with 58 tackles through six games, including 34 solo stops, followed by junior cornerback Corey Brazil, who has 45 tackles.

SMU could continue its trend of running success against LaTech, considering the Bulldogs' starting defensive line averages just over 6-3 and 265.5 pounds per man. Senior DT Quincy Myles is the lone 300-pounder (307) on the starting LaTech defensive line.

LaTech starts three seniors at linebacker, led by OLB Chris Marshall (6-0, 233), whose 25 tackles are the eighth-highest total on the team. Senior OLB Curtis Randall has a team-high 5.5 QB sacks.

[This message has been edited by PonyPride (edited 10-15-2002).]

[SMUFan]

Yet another complete, thorough preview. Thanks for everything you guys at PonyFans.com do for us. Keep up the great work!

[RedRiverPony]

Sounds like LaTech's strength obviously is on offense, so maybe we're in for a shootout. It looks like we can run on them, but if we need to score, does that mean Bartel plays, so we can air it out?

And how does Tate's ankle look? Is he going to be ready to play, if needed?

[LaTech77]

Good summary of Tech's season. The Bulldog offense has not performed up to expectations. We seem to be very predictable, and the defenses are all over us. The only exceptions were late in the game against Oklahoma State when we rallied to win, and against Tulsa. Against TU we pretty much just lined up and ran the ball down their throat. They couldn't match up. I don't expect our O to put up a lot of points against SMU, unless they made dramatic improvement during the bye week. Our D has been improved for the most part, but failed badly against the Rice option last time out. And we are not causing any turnovers. We have gone all season without an interception. I expect a close, but ugly contest. There should be 3,000 to 4,000 Tech fans in attendance, maybe more.

[Silk]

So who's going to have a better rushing day - Kris Briggs or Keylon Kincade?

[PerunaPunch]

Good question. If I was LA Tech, I'd be a bit concrned that my top two tacklers were a safety and a corner.

I'd wager on Kincade. Brigg's size will be less important since we should be able to outmuscle this defense.

The question will be whether or not our offense wil be able to keep up. With our current backfield woes, I imagine McCown will pass for a few yards.

P.S. Pray for rain.

[Higher Authority]

<A HREF="http://www.weather.com" TARGET=_blank>www.weather.com</A> says it will be in the mid-70s Saturday afternoon, and that we should be in for thunderstorms - 90% chance of precipitation. (I'm sure that will do wonders for the attendance, but it's no excuse - dress for the weather and be there!) Bring your poncho and boots, and celebrate SMU's first win of the year.

Rain will benefit Briggs, specifically, and SMU. It's much harder to stop a power running team in the rain/mud, and it's harder for a pass-oriented offense such as LaTech's to operate in the rain. With pressure on McCown, we should be able to force him into some wild throws - which Rutledge and Humphrey will intercept.

Also, look for the Ponies to continue the trend of not kicking field goals from beyond 40 yards. If the rain is really heavy, we might not even kick beyond 35 yards.

[LaTech77]

"Good question. If I was LA Tech, I'd be a bit concrned that my top two tacklers were a safety and a corner."
--

We are.

[SMUFinns]

The weather might reduce La Tech's passing game, which would be a plus for the Mustangs.

I feel an upset coming on....

Go Mustangs

[GrapevineMustang]

Higher Authority has it right - we need to be out in force. Especially since LaTech is threatening to bring a few thousand fans of its own. We can not be outnumbered in the stands on OUR HOMECOMING!

[Horseshoe]

OK, Peruna Punch, I'm praying for rain.

But make sure The Lovely Mrs. Punch realizes that the arrival of rain is NOT an excuse to skip the game or to leave early. I know her husband understands this, so you might have to get her sufficiently bundled up. Leaving early is not an option.

[PerunaPunch]

I'll make sure she gets the message!!!!!

Pretzels will not be served until late in the 4th qtr. That outta keep her there.