Louisiana Tech vs. Texas Total Pick
Is No. 10 Texas ready to put on an offensive showcase when the Longhorns host Louisiana Tech on Saturday at 8PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
209 Louisiana Tech vs. 210 Texas
Saturday, August 31, 2019
8PM ET – Royal Texas Memorial Stadium
TV: Longhorn Network
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Texas is the clear favorite in this game, as the Longhorns are getting odd of -20.5 points against Louisiana Tech. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 55 points. The public betting currently has 52 percent going on Louisiana Tech as the underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Tech staying steady
Louisiana Tech isn’t struggling, but not excelling either. The Bulldogs are coming off an 8-5 record in 2018 with a 5-3 record in Conference USA. Skip Holtz is entering his seventh season as head coach of Louisiana Tech. He is 46-33 with the program. Last season, the Bulldogs were 7-6 against the spread while going 9-4 with the under.
Tech wasn’t very strong on offense, posting just 24.7 points and 382.1 yards per game in 2018. The Bulldogs have five starters back on offense this year, led by senior quarterback J’Mar Smith. He threw for 3,160 yards and 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has leading receiver Adrian Hardy back as well. Hardy had 75 catches for 1,145 yards and six touchdowns in 2018. Tech also has leading rusher, Jaqwis Dancy, back. Though, he had just 667 yards. Defensively, Louisiana Tech gave up just 23 points and 341.3 yards per game. The unit has just five starters back, most of which come in the secondary.
Texas hoping to turn the corner
Texas is looking to become a real national championship contender this season after going 10-4 in Tom Herman’s second season as coach. The Longhorns were 7-3 in the Big 12, losing in the championship game to Oklahoma. Texas was 6-7-1 against the spread in 2018 while going 8-6 with the under.
The Longhorns had a steady, but not outstanding offense last year. They averaged 31.1 points and 411.3 yards per game. The offense does have five starters back this year, led by junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger. He took a big step forward last year, throwing for 3,292 yards and 25 touchdowns. Ehlinger has a solid group of receivers back, led by Collin Johnson, who had just under 1,000 yards last season. Keaontay Ingram is back in the backfield after rushing for 708 yards. Ehlinger was also a big rushing threat. He had 482 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. Defensively, Texas gave up 25.9 points and 392.8 yards per game last year. The Longhorns have just three starters back on defense and only one in the front seven.
College Football Betting Trends
Louisiana Tech
The Bulldogs have hit the under in six straight games overall and in five straight road games.
Texas
The Longhorns have hit the under in 13 of their last 18 home games and in five of their last six against CUSA opponents.
Prediction:
I think the total is a little high here. Tech doesn’t have an offense that is going to put up many points, even on an inexperienced Texas defense. The Longhorns should be able to do their fair share of scoring against the Bulldogs, but Texas still could be shaky in the first game of the year and Tech has some respectable defensive pieces. This game isn’t likely to be close late, so I think the clock will run quickly in the fourth and keep the total low.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Louisiana Tech/Texas Under 55