Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs SMU Mustangs Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 09/02/2023

Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 2, 2023

Venue:  Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX

Where to Watch:  ESPNU

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  LA Tech +20.5, SMU -20.5; Over/Under:  65.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  LA Tech +20.5, SMU -20.5; Over/Under:  65.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  LA Tech +20.5, SMU -20.5; Over/Under:  65.5 points

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs:  1-0 (1-0) (2nd place, C-USA)

SMU Mustangs:  0-0 (AAC)

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Louisiana Tech Bulldogs:  won their last game at home against the FIU Panthers 22-17.

SMU Mustangs:  N/A

Louisiana Tech is entering this game with a 1-0 record overall and they have a 1-0 record in their conference games too.  They are 1-0 in their home games, 0-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against Florida International 22-17. Hank Bachmeier was the starting QB and he completed 34/44 passes for 333 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Charvis Thornton led the team in rushing yards with 51 and Jacob Fields had the only rushing TD for them. Smoke Harris led the receivers with 155 receiving yards on 11 receptions and he also led the team in receptions with 11. Smoke Harris had 1 receiving TD. Deshon Hall led the defense in that game with 3 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Deshon Hall also led the defense in sacks with 1. Cecil Singleton came away with the only interception for them in that game.

 

 

 

SMU finished last season with a 7-6 record overall and they had a 5-3 record in their conference games too.  They were 4-2 in their home games, 3-3 in their road games, and they were also 0-1 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at home for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 37.2 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 33.8 points per game. Their offense also averaged 472.8 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 431.2 yards per game. Tanner Mordecai led the team in passing yards with 3524, Tyler Lavine led the team in rushing yards with 642, and Rashee Rice led the team in receiving yards with 1355.

The current betting odds have SMU listed as a 20.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. SMU is playing their 1st game of the season here while LA Tech is playing their 2nd game of the season so LA Tech does have a bit of an advantage in that regard. SMU will be the home team in this game though and after the way LA Tech played at home against a weak FIU team in week 0, they are going to struggle a lot more in this road game. New QB Bachmeier and the LA Tech offense wasn't able to do much for most of the game against FIU and there is a reason why a good program like Boise State let Bachmeier go. He is not a very good QB and head coach Lashlee for SMU has hopes for this program this season. SMU does have a high scoring offense and they are going to put up points in this game. Their defense needs some improvement but the LA Tech offense isn't that good anyway and they will struggle to put up points on the road here. The best way to place a bet here is on SMU to cover the spread in this game. 

Louisiana Tech SMU Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 2, 2023 (12:00 pm ET start time) is SMU 42 LA Tech 13.

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Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: 3-10 ATS in road games. 9-18 ATS in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 63. 17-6 OVER in all games. 10-2 OVER as an underdog.

SMU Mustangs: 6-4 ATS as a home favorite. 5-3 ATS in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 63. 20-11 OVER as a favorite of 10.5 to 21 points. 34-25 OVER as a home favorite. 

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs:  C. Thornton (RB) day-to-day - Leg. T. Shelton (RB) day-to-day - Undisclosed. M. Crosby (RB) day-to-day - Leg.

SMU Mustangs:  None.

"You have to have a very open and honest communication especially at this time of the week with the game plan with things that you like or don't like when you are talking about a specific play or concept. It is important to ask him what he likes because ultimately the players are the ones that are out there and they have to be comfortable playing. Hank has been in our system long enough that he is comfortable and has enough volumes of reps and concepts that we used that he has some comfort levels with certain things. Being able to put those guys in positions to be successful is important. He has played lots of football which is exciting. It is important to remember that he has not played since October. There is a lot of new faces but also a lot of players that have a lot of career snaps. That is what we are excited about and Hank is one of those guys that is also." - Sonny Cumbie on his relationship with new starting QB Hank Bachmeier.

“We need to put ourselves in a position to compete in and win a conference championship. We have been doing a lot of good things in the league like we did a year ago, but we need to take that next step and hopefully make it to the conference championship game and even win it.” - Rhett Lashlee on his goals for the program this season.

WR Edwards, Tru 

WR Allen, Cyrus 

WR Harris, Smoke 

TE Jones, Nate 

QB Bachmeier, Hank 

RB Thornton, Charvis 

WR Kerley, Jordan 

WR Hudson, Jordan 

WR Bailey, Jake 

TE Maryland, RJ 

QB Stone, Preston 

RB Knighton, Jaylan 

Passing: H. Bachmeier (333)

Rushing: C. Thornton (51)

Receiving: S. Harris (155)

Touchdowns: S. Harris (1)

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: Sonny Cumbie (2nd season)

SMU Mustangs: Rhett Lashlee (2nd season)