Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs South Alabama Jaguars Point Spread Picks

Louisiana Tech won last year's meeting, 34-16, covering as an 11.5-point favorite, and Skip Holtz's squad came on strong at the end of the season covering its last three games, including a 51-10 blowout of SMU in the Frisco Bowl. The Bulldogs return 15 starters, including four on the offensive line and quarterback J'Mar Smith, who threw 16 touchdown passes with only five interceptions while rushing for 371 yards and six touchdowns. The Bulldogs return four of their top five wide receivers featuring Teddy Veal, who was named C-USA Newcomer of the Year after transferring from Tulane, and he had 74 catches for 950 yards and seven TDs. South Alabama finished 4-8 and lost four of its last five games, including a 52-0 whitewash at the hands of Georgia Southern. The Jaguars have a new coach in Steve Campbell, and they will have Cole Garvin at quarterback as fifth-year senior Dallas Davis left the program in the spring. Garvin threw for 1,490 yards in 2017, and he'll have wide receiver Jamarius Way, who is back after 47 receptions and 762 yards last season. Louisiana Tech has covered the spread 35 of its last 52 road games and six in a row against Sun Belt competition. The Jaguars are just 8-17 ATS their last 25 home games and 14-31 ATS their last 45 games overall. Play Louisiana Tech.

South Alabama went to a bowl last season, its second bowl in three years. They've been very respectable since making the jump up to FBS in 2012, with three six-win campaigns. During that time they won three games straight up as underdogs of 17 or more, all under current coach Joey Jones. That included a win last year at Mississippi State, 21-20, as a +28 dog. Jones shook things up this week, firing offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent, so offensive line coach Richard Owens will take over the offense. They are a big dog to a Louisiana Tech squad off a physical game with an SEC opponent, losing 17-16 on a late field goal to South Carolina. QB J'Mar Smith has 4 TDs, 3 picks and this shapes up as a close one. Play South Alabama.