[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]**Louisiana Tech vs. Texas A&M** (Shreveport)[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
Again, this is more about the fact that the underdog is going to have plenty of bite in 2012. La. Tech went 8-5 last year and covered the number in a 31-24 loss to TCU as a 10-point ādog in the Poinsettia Bowl. The Bulldogs return eight starters from an offense that produced 30.1 PPG. After throwing 13 TD passes compared to only three interceptions, senior QB Colby Cameron is back along with his favorite target, senior WR Quinton Patton, who garnered first-team All-WAC honors with 79 receptions for 1,202 yards and 11 TDs in 2011. RB Hunter Lee appears poised for a breakout campaign after rushing for 650 yards and five TDs while averaging 4.8 YPC as a true freshman.
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
I donāt believe in calling season openers look-ahead spots, but weāll nonetheless mention the Aggiesā SEC debut against Florida the following week since it is quite the unique circumstanceāroad game, new coach, new QB, in Shreveport.
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Texas A&M struggled mightily in close games last year, losing five times by seven or less with two of those defeats coming in overtime(s). Tight games like this are often decided by special teams and La. Tech has the advantage in that department. Phil Steele ranks La. Tech punter Ryan Allen as the nationās best at his position, while place-kicker Matt Nelson is rated 17th.[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Finally, we should note that the last time La. Tech hosted a BCS school it beat Mississippi St. 22-14 in its 2008 season opener. Also, letās mention that the Bulldogs won 27-7 at Ole Miss last year and lost an overtime decision at Mississippi St.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
Again, this is more about the fact that the underdog is going to have plenty of bite in 2012. La. Tech went 8-5 last year and covered the number in a 31-24 loss to TCU as a 10-point ādog in the Poinsettia Bowl. The Bulldogs return eight starters from an offense that produced 30.1 PPG. After throwing 13 TD passes compared to only three interceptions, senior QB Colby Cameron is back along with his favorite target, senior WR Quinton Patton, who garnered first-team All-WAC honors with 79 receptions for 1,202 yards and 11 TDs in 2011. RB Hunter Lee appears poised for a breakout campaign after rushing for 650 yards and five TDs while averaging 4.8 YPC as a true freshman.
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
I donāt believe in calling season openers look-ahead spots, but weāll nonetheless mention the Aggiesā SEC debut against Florida the following week since it is quite the unique circumstanceāroad game, new coach, new QB, in Shreveport.
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Texas A&M struggled mightily in close games last year, losing five times by seven or less with two of those defeats coming in overtime(s). Tight games like this are often decided by special teams and La. Tech has the advantage in that department. Phil Steele ranks La. Tech punter Ryan Allen as the nationās best at his position, while place-kicker Matt Nelson is rated 17th.[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Finally, we should note that the last time La. Tech hosted a BCS school it beat Mississippi St. 22-14 in its 2008 season opener. Also, letās mention that the Bulldogs won 27-7 at Ole Miss last year and lost an overtime decision at Mississippi St.[/FONT]
