Quote:Strengths: Of the many losses suffered on both sides of the ball, the Bulldogs will be deepest on defense across their defensive line — a bonus considering they'll need improvement there after giving up more than 185 yards per game on the ground last season. RB Kenneth Dixon is back in the backfield after rushing for 1,194 yards and 27 touchdowns last season, and he will have to carry the load this fall as the Bulldogs will look to junior Texas Tech-transfer Scotty Young at quarterback. A strong receiving corps with Hunter Lee and D.J. Banks stepping into bigger role should help fill the large void left by Quinton Patton (1,392 yards, 13 TDs).

Weaknesses: There is a ton of turnover from last season's successful campaign to the upcoming season, including in the coaching staff. Skip Holtz is taking over for Sonny Dykes, who accepted the job at Cal. The Bulldogs also have to replace nine starters, including quarterback and WAC offensive player of the year Colby Cameron, from the nation's top offense in 2012. Louisiana Tech needs to improve a defense that ranked as one of the nation's worst, allowing more than 500 yards and 38 points per game.

Outlook: It will be difficult for Louisiana Tech to match its output from last season as it goes through big changes on the field, in the coaching staff and in its conference. Playing in Conference USA means facing new opponents and the Bulldogs' offense may not be able to do as much this season to mask the defensive issues, but they should reach bowl eligibility again.

Read it all HERE.

(06-23-2013 09:51 AM)Chappy Wrote:  

Quote:Strengths: Of the many losses suffered on both sides of the ball, the Bulldogs will be deepest on defense across their defensive line — a bonus considering they'll need improvement there after giving up more than 185 yards per game on the ground last season. RB Kenneth Dixon is back in the backfield after rushing for 1,194 yards and 27 touchdowns last season, and he will have to carry the load this fall as the Bulldogs will look to junior Texas Tech-transfer Scotty Young at quarterback. A strong receiving corps with Hunter Lee and D.J. Banks stepping into bigger role should help fill the large void left by Quinton Patton (1,392 yards, 13 TDs).

Weaknesses: There is a ton of turnover from last season's successful campaign to the upcoming season, including in the coaching staff. Skip Holtz is taking over for Sonny Dykes, who accepted the job at Cal. The Bulldogs also have to replace nine starters, including quarterback and WAC offensive player of the year Colby Cameron, from the nation's top offense in 2012. Louisiana Tech needs to improve a defense that ranked as one of the nation's worst, allowing more than 500 yards and 38 points per game.

Outlook: It will be difficult for Louisiana Tech to match its output from last season as it goes through big changes on the field, in the coaching staff and in its conference. Playing in Conference USA means facing new opponents and the Bulldogs' offense may not be able to do as much this season to mask the defensive issues, but they should reach bowl eligibility again.

Read it all HERE.

I think just the opposite: the "defensive issues" were mostly due to the pace of our offense and teams knew they had to throw the kitchen sink at our defense to keep up. A slower offense should do wonders for the defense.

(06-23-2013 10:23 AM)T_Won1 Wrote:  I think just the opposite: the "defensive issues" were mostly due to the pace of our offense and teams knew they had to throw the kitchen sink at our defense to keep up. A slower offense should do wonders for the defense.

No doubt. Your D will assuredly allow fewer yards and points this year, but your O will gain fewer. You just have to keep up the same point/possession ratio to keep things even with the slower paced offense.

(06-23-2013 10:35 AM)EdisonDoyle Wrote:  

(06-23-2013 10:23 AM)T_Won1 Wrote:  I think just the opposite: the "defensive issues" were mostly due to the pace of our offense and teams knew they had to throw the kitchen sink at our defense to keep up. A slower offense should do wonders for the defense.

No doubt. Your D will assuredly allow fewer yards and points this year, but your O will gain fewer. You just have to keep up the same point/possession ratio to keep things even with the slower paced offense.

That's what's so exciting about next year. Totally different team, totally different coaching staff, totally different conference. Who knows what will happen!