Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs Mississippi State Bulldogs Prediction, Odds and Preview - 09/04/2021

Game Time: 4:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 4, 2021

Venue:  Davis Wade Stadium, Mississippi State, MS

Where to Watch:  ESPNU

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  LA Tech +23, MSST -23; Over/Under:  52.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  LA Tech +23, MSST -23; Over/Under:  52.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  LA Tech +23, MSST -23; Over/Under:  52.5 points

 

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs:  0-0 (C-USA West)

Mississippi State Bulldogs:  0-0 (SEC West)

 

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Louisiana Tech Bulldogs:  2 game losing streak

Mississippi State Bulldogs:  2 game winning streak

The LA Tech Bulldogs will be taking on the Mississippi State Bulldogs for their first game of the college football season. LA Tech finished last season in 3rd place of the C-USA West with a 5-5 overall record, going 4-2 in conference play. They were 2-3 in their road games where they will be in this matchup. Mississippi State finished last season in last place of the SEC West with a 4-7 record overall, going 3-7 in conference play. They were 2-3 in their home games where they will be in this one.

LA Tech is carrying over a 2 game losing streak from their last 2 games last year. Their last win was over North Texas 42-31. They then lost their next game 52-10 to TCU and lost in the New Orleans Bowl 38-3 to the Georgia Southern Eagles. The LA Tech offense was not too good last year, especially in the run game. They were averaging a 61.6% completion percentage, 216.6 passing yards, and 2.1 touchdowns per game through the air. They also averaged 99.2 rushing yards and 1 TD per game on the ground. Their defense was giving up a lot of yardage. They were allowing teams a 64% completion percentage, 229 passing yards, and 1.8 touchdowns per game through the air. They also allowed 198.3 rushing yards and 2.6 TDs per game on the ground. Skip Holtz is returning for another season and he has led this team to 7 straight winning seasons. They did drop off last season going 5-5 after going 10-3 the year before. He has a lot of success here and will be able to keep this program competitive in every game all season.

Mississippi State are carrying over a 2 game winning streak from the end of last year. Their last loss was to Auburn 24-10 back in early December. They then won their next game over Missouri 51-32 and went on to win the Armed Forces Bowl against Tulsa 28-26 in their last game. The Mississippi State offense was very good in the passing game but absolutely awful in the run game last season. They were averaging a 67% completion percentage, 296.3 passing yards, and 1.5 touchdowns per game through the air. They also averaged 43.9 rushing yards and 0.7 touchdowns per game on the ground. Their defense was pretty good with their run defense but they were awful with the passing game. They were allowing teams a 61.7% completion percentage, 263.4 passing yards, and 2.1 touchdowns per game through the air. They also allowed 126.4 rushing yards and 1 TD per game on the ground. This is Mike Leach's 2nd season coaching this team and he is looking to improve on a 4-7 season last year. The program cannot be turned around that quickly but little steps can be made here that will go far in the long run. 

The Mississippi State Bulldogs' odds are listed as a massive favorite. Both of these teams have the potential to score points here. Between the solid passing game from both sides and some poor defense, this game's score could be driven up, turning it into a high scoring affair and pushing it over. 

 

Louisiana Tech Mississippi State Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 4, 2021 (4:00 pm ET start time) is MSST 41 LAT 21.

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Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: 1-4 ATS as a road underdog in the last 3 years.

Mississippi State Bulldogs: 1-5 ATS when the total is between 49.5 to 56 over the last 3 years.

 

 

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs:  L. Anthony (QB) Questionable Saturday with an ankle injury.

Mississippi State Bulldogs:  T. Wilson (WR) Questionable Saturday with a possible suspension.

 

 

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: Quarterback Austin Kendall is one player to watch from these starters. He just transferred from West Virginia and will be looking to make his mark on this team. He has not had too much experience playing. His best season was back in 2019 he completed 187/304 passes for 1989 yards, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has some work to do but it will be interesting to see how he plays in his first game for this team.

 

Mississippi State Bulldogs: Will Rogers is one player to watch in this game. This will be his 2nd year playing in college football and starting for this team. Last season he played in 9 games and completed 239/346 passes for 1976 yards, 11 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. It will be interesting to see if he takes a big leap or dive in this one so keep an eye out for him.

 

“There was excitement, energy and enthusiasm with having the opportunity to be out on the grass. Even though it was just our first day getting acclimated where we’re in shorts today and tomorrow, it was really nice to get out on the grass. This team has had a really great summer when you look at what some of these guys have done physically to their bodies and the type of shape that they’ve come in, as well as the carry-over from spring ball. We just installed a little bit today. We’ll install in pieces. It will take us about five days to get everything in, but I’m really pleased with the retention, the attitude and the work ethic in what they were doing running around.” - Skip Holtz on his team as they gear up for the regular season of college football.

 

 

“We’re a work in progress. I am glad that we are getting close to playing. We are getting tired of playing one another, and I think it is about time to get tested by other teams. I think we have steadily improved. We’ve got a lot of work to go, but we have been playing hard. We practiced hard, and we still have some guys kind of emerging out there. It is exciting, and I do think there will probably be some movements as the season goes on with the way it appears and how quickly some of the young guys are picking things up.” - Mike Leach on how his team is progressing before the season starts.

 

 

 

 

WR Harris, Tre 

WR Graham, Isaiah 

WR Harris, Smoke 

WR Hebert, Griffin 

QB Kendall, Austin 

RB Williams Jr., Marcus 

FB Adams, Jacob 

 

 

WR Heath, Malik 

WR Polk, Makai 

WR Calvin, Jamire 

WR Williams, Austin 

QB Rogers, Will 

RB Marks, Jo'quavious 

RB Johnson, Dillon 

 

 

 

Coaches:

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: Skip Holtz (9th season)

Mississippi State Bulldogs: Mike Leach (2nd season)

 

90 degrees F partly cloudy, 63% humidity, 0% chance of rain, up to 4 mph wind speeds SW.