Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 2008 Preview

Coach: Derek Dooley (5-7) Second Year
Last Year: 5-7, 4-4 WAC, tied fourth of eight 
Returning Starters : Offense 8, Line 3 | Defense 5, Line 1

Three Things You Should Know
1) The Bulldogs return only five players on defense but have three of four players in the secondary back including standout safety Antonio Baker (2 ints, 3 passes breakups and 68 tackles in 2007). Other players to watch include DT D'Anthony Smith, punt returner Philip Beck and punter Chris Keagle.
2) Derek Dooley is both the head coach and athletic director for Tech.
3) The Bulldogs could have de-railed Hawaii in week two last year, but Hawaii kicked a 49-yard field goal with 1:34 left to get to overtime. Tech missed a two-point conversion in OT that would have won it.

Trends
Tech has dropped 12 straight against BCS teams ... KU has won 14 straight games against non-cons at Memorial. Last loss was in 2003 to Northwestern (20-28) ... KU won the 2005 matchup with Tech 34-14 in Lawrence.

The Game
After facing FIU in week one, this is an appropriate step up in competition as the Jayhawks prepare for the big road showdown with South Florida. KU should be a clear favorite in this one, but Tech is no pushover. They did get knocked out by LSU (58-10, but so did Virginia Tech) and Cal (42-12), but represented well most of the season until the collapse at Nevada in the final game (bowl appearance was on the line). The experienced secondary could test Todd Reesing's patience and obviously we'll once again be watching the tackles to see how they handle WAC-level defensive ends. I would like to think our interior guys can keep D'Anthony Smith in check.  On the other side of the ball, you might see KU show some blitz packages as Tech will be starting a new QB. Senior running back Patrick Johnson had 1,004 yards in 2007 and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. As we know, it'll be quite a test for Johnson as he battles our senior linebackers.

2008 Louisiana Tech Schedule
Sat, Aug 30 Mississippi State
Sat, Sep 6 at (14) Kansas
Sat, Sep 20 Southeastern Louisiana
Wed, Oct 1 at Boise State
Sun, Oct 12 at Hawaii
Sat, Oct 18 Idaho
Sat, Oct 25 at Army
Sat, Nov 1 Fresno State
Sat, Nov 8 at San Jose State
Sat, Nov 15 Utah State
Sat, Nov 22 at New Mexico State
Sat, Nov 29 Nevada

2007 Results
W Central Ark 28-7
L Hawaii 45-44
L at California 42-12
L at Fresno State 17-6
L at Ole Miss 24-0
W New Mexico St. 22-21
L Boise State 45-31
W at Utah State 31-21
W at Idaho 28-16
L at LSU 58-10
W San Jose St. 27-23
L at Nevada 49-10