Ranking Tech's 2016 schedule from 1 to 12
It's almost time for football.
Louisiana Tech opens the 2016 season Saturday at Arkansas in the first of 12 games for the Bulldogs this year.
For the last few years, The News-Star has counted down Louisiana Tech's most intriguing games for the year. This year, each game is ranked from the most least interesting to the most interesting.
2016 schedule puts Tech at 'competitive disadvantage'
1. Nov. 25 at Southern Miss (Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Series history: 15-32
Last meeting: 2015 (L, 58-24)
Why it matters: When a team loses 58-24 on its home turf with a conference title game berth on the line, next year's game should automatically be circled on the calendar. Southern Miss embarrassed Tech last year to end the regular season. It's safe to say Tech wants nothing more than to regain the momentum in this rivalry against the preseason C-USA favorites.
2. Sept. 24 at Middle Tennessee (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
Series history: 4-1
Last meeting: 2015 (W, 45-16)
Why it matters: This is one of the early swing games on the schedule. Most picked MTSU to play for the C-USA title, and Tech could be headed to Tennessee with a 1-2 record. This won't be a make or break game, but it will be about the closest thing to it. Depending on how Tech's offense progresses, this could be a shootout.
3. Oct. 6 vs. Western Kentucky (Ruston)
Series history: 3-2
Last meeting: 2015 (L, 41-38)
Why it matters: Easily Tech's most important and marquee home game of the year. There's been a back-and-forth trading of blows in this intense matchup of crossover opponents. Tech blew out WKU in Ruston back in 2014. That's the last time WKU lost in league play, which includes a 2015 win at home over Tech.
4. Sept., 17 at Texas Tech (Lubbock, Texas)
Series history: 0-1
Last meeting: 1933 (L, 40-10)
Why it matters: If you like offense, make sure to tune in for this one. Texas Tech traditionally has among the best passing attacks in college football. The Red Raiders can have shaky defenses, but they are hell bent on throwing the ball 40, 50 and even 60 times a game. This is quite a contrasts from Louisiana Tech's matchup against Arkansas and its run-centric offense.
5. Oct. 29 vs. Rice (Ruston)
Series history: 5-4
Last meeting: 2015 (W, 42-17)
Why it matters: It's unclear what exactly happened to Rice in 2015. Several coaches at media days mentioned how Rice was a shell of its former self toward the end of the year when it limped its way out of bowl eligibility. Rice should be back in the mix this year under coach David Bailiff, who is a close friend of Tech coach Skip Holtz. Tech's last two wins over Rice have come by a combined 70 points. Think Rice will be fired up for this one?
6. Oct. 1 vs. UTEP (Ruston)
Series history: 9-2-1
Last meeting: 2015 (W, 17-15)
Why it matters: The darkhorse in the West Division comes to Ruston at a time when Tech may be reeling. In a worst case scenario, Tech could be 1-3 heading into October. This game starts a five-day stretch that includes a home tilt with WKU. Tech barely squeaked by UTEP in 2015, and the Miners were Tech coach Skip Holtz's preseason pick to make noise in C-USA.
7. Sept. 3 at Arkansas (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Series history: 0-3
Last meeting: 1997 (L, 38-3)
Why it matters: Tech is looking for a marquee nonconference win over a Power Five team to lift the image of the program. This comes at a poor time, though, with the Bulldogs still trying to find their identity and a new quarterback at helm. The intrigue here is Tech coach Skip Holtz returns to Fayetteville, a place he went to high school when his father, Lou, coach the Razorbacks.
8. Oct. 22 at Florida International (Miami, Fla.)
Series history: 2-0
Last meeting: 2015 (W, 27-17)
Why it matters: Of all the games on the schedule, this feels like the closest thing to a trap. In 2013, Tech barely survived a trip to Miami, and Tech won by just 10 points at home in 2015. FIU has a veteran quarterback capable of leading an upset. Tech has been known to slip up once on the road during the past few years, so maybe it's at FIU.
9. Nov. 12 vs. UTSA (Ruston)
Series history: 3-1
Last meeting: 2015 (W, 34-31)
Why it matters: This game could be dicey if it was on the road, kind of like in 2015 when Tech needed a late field goal to escape San Antonio with a win. At home should be a different story. UTSA has a new coach in former LSU assistant Frank Wilson. UTSA is probably a few years away from competing atop the C-USA West.
10. Nov. 5 at North Texas (Denton, Texas)
Series history: 8-6
Last meeting: 2015 (W, 56-13)
Why it matters: UNT is an interesting team. The Mean Green have a new coach with a spread offense that should eventually translate well to Conference USA. UNT's schedule is brutal, and the question is how will the team fare in November after presumably taking a beating. Tech should be running smoothly by November.
11. Oct. 15 at UMass (Foxboro, Mass)
Series history: 0-0
Last meeting: N/A
Why it matters: The only interesting part about this game is it will be played at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. UMass is coming off consecutive 3-9 seasons and is struggling to find its football ever since it transitioned from the FCS to the FBS. The game is so far away that it won't provide many fans to travel to, but at least the players should get a memorable experience playing in an NFL stadium.
12. Sept. 10 vs. South Carolina State (Ruston)
Series history: 1-0
Last meeting: 1982 (38-3)
Why it matters: FCS games are pretty blah. FCS games against teams on the East coast are even more bland. This one doesn't move the needle. South Carolina State is usually pretty competitive in the MEAC. But HBCUs generally don't do well against FBS teams.