Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Season Preview

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Derek Dooley of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs talks with his team during a time out in the game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the Bulld

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Derek Dooley came into Ruston with a 3-10 Bulldogs squad before he turned them around, going a combined 13-12 the next two seasons. This included the 2008 Independence Bowl win over Northern Illinois before they slipped to 4-8 the following season. Dooley then bolted to Knoxville with a dream job offer by the Volunteers of Tennessee.

Sonny Dykes stepped in with a 5-7 season last year and with 13 starters back there is hope that they could go bowling again. They do lose Ross Jenkins and Phillip Livas, who have been their star QB-WR stars the past few years, but there are other pieces on this team to build around.

Rocky Topping

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 03: Lennon Creer #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers scores a touchdown on a run for a 45-7 lead ver the Louisiana Lafayette Cajuns during the third quarter at Neyland Stadium on November 3, 2007 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Ha

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The stud that put on a clinic last year was former Volunteer transfer Lennon Creer. The 6'1", 215-pound running back is a load to bring down, and he runs extremely well for a solid-sized back. He only has two returning OL to block for him, but he is such a big talent that he makes his own holes after he runs over and trucks a few young pups.

The receiving core may be one of the most underrated cores in America! Ahmad Paige was another former Volunteer who is now a Bulldog, and he is a flat out stud.

He came into the summer a season ago just trying to crack the two deep, and this year he has taken necessary the strides to develop into the go-to guy with Taulib Ikharo and Richie Casey producing like solid starters.

Offensively Underrated

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 14: Tyrone Duplessis #22 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs is brought down by Perry Riley #56 of the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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That should make life much easier on Colby Cameron, who is projected to start under center despite his 1-5 TD/INT ratio.

This offense was 49th in total yards per game a year ago and it should only improve, especially against a mediocre WAC. The defenses are fairly atrocious as there is no longer a stout defensive team with Boise State leaving for the Mountain West Conference.

Drama's Forecast

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Ross Jenkins #11 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs looks to throw the ball against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 24-16. (Photo by

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This Bulldogs defense was beyond atrocious, ranking 116th a season ago. So why do I have so much optimism this upcoming season? Well, for starters, they do not have to travel to play the A&M Aggies or play No. 11 and those Smurf Turfs.

They replace those two teams with the Houston Cougars and the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who should both beat LA Tech. Nonetheless, this time around the squad will not literally fall apart. There is one less team in the WAC, so nobody technically takes the place of Boise.

The improved defense (Adrian Cole and Matt Broha both should be Second Team All-WAC performers) should enable these Bulldogs to get back to .500 and reach a bowl.

Predicted Finish: 6-7, 4-3

Predicted Bowl: Poinsettia Bowl

Predicted order of finish in WAC: fourth

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