Louisiana Tech vs FIU 8/26/23

The FIU Panthers visit Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana on Saturday August 26 to play the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. FIU finished last season 4-8 overall and 2-6 in Conference USA. The Panthers will be led at quarterback by Grayson James who last season passed for 1,962 yards with 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while rushing for 223 yards and three touchdowns. Keep up with College Football, withour College Football picks.

FIU lost its top two receivers from last season with both leaving via the transfer portal but Kris Mitchell, who had 348 yards receiving and four touchdowns is back and Christian Pedersen, a tight end, transferred in from Louisville. FIU’s defense will have six of its top 11 tacklers back from last season but lost its leading tackler Gaethan Bernadel, who transferred to Stanford. Second leading tackler Donovan Manuel is back but the leader in quarterback sacks, Shaun Peterson Jr also transferred.

Louisiana Tech was 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the Conference USA, but five of the teams Louisiana Tech lost to in conference play are now members of the AAC. Louisiana Tech added to its offense during the offseason when quarterback Hank Bachmeier transferred from Boise State. Since 2019, in 29 games, Bachmeier has passed for 6,605 yards with 38 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, while completing 62% of his passes. Louisiana Tech lost its leading receiver from last season, but Smoke Harris is back, who last season caught 66 passes for 640 yards and five touchdowns.

Willie Roberts, a highly talented defensive back for Louisiana Tech, will be the leader on defense. Last season Louisiana Tech gave up 37.9 points and 468.8 yards per game in Conference play. Louisiana Tech added Houston transfer Demarcus Griffin-Taylor, Zion Hopes a transfer from Tulsa and Myles Heard from Stephen F Austin, all of whom will play in the secondary. Louisiana Tech also added linebackers Koibe Fields from LSU, Zach Zimos from Arkansas, Jeslord Boateng from Akron and Brevin Randle from Stephen F Austin. 

Last year these two battled into overtime, with FIU winning 42-34 but the Panthers played at home and will be on the road when opening the season versus the Bulldogs. The defense for both FIU and Louisiana Tech are their weak links but Louisiana Tech has added several transfers to its defense and that will make the difference in this matchup. Expect a high scoring game, but Louisiana Tech will make more stops and be victorious to open the regular season. Final Score Prediction, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs win and cover ATS 37-23.