Louisiana Tech vs. North Texas Odds, Picks: Bulldogs in for Long Night?
Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Austin Aune (North Texas)
- Louisiana Tech and North Texas go head-to-head on Saturday as part of college football's Week 7 slate.
- The Bulldogs scored 41 points against UTEP in their last time out, but can they keep up with the Mean Green this week?
- Kody Malstrom breaks it all down below.
Louisiana Tech vs. North Texas Odds
| Louisiana Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -105 | 67.5 -110o / -110u | +195 |
| North Texas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -115 | 67.5 -110o / -110u | -230 |
Don't let the final score from last week's Louisiana Tech game fool you. The Bulldogs thoroughly dominated UTEP for three quarters before dialing it back.
They will look to carry that offensive momentum into this week's game against North Texas, which is coming off of an impressive offensive performance itself, having beat FAU 45-28.
With a spread of less than a touchdown, this is a toss up between two programs in a game with heavy implications in their quests towards securing a bowl berth.
Can North Texas hold off the red-hot Bulldogs? Let's find out.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
The offensive scheme is simple: Pass the ball. Clearly not fans of Forrest Gump, the Bulldogs pass at one of the heaviest rates in football and only run 45.1% of the time.
In order to be successful running this type of offense, you need a skilled quarterback, and the Bulldogs have just that in Parker McNeil, who has thrown for 1,167 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Success may be hard to come by as his offensive line has done him no favors.
The Mean Green's backend is capable of limiting the aerial attack, and the defensive line has a massive mismatch in getting to McNeil.
Speaking of the backend, the Bulldogs' secondary has been above average so far this season and ranks 33rd in Defensive Pass Success. They will need to produce at a high level once again, as the rest of the defense is poor and North Texas has the advantage on the line.
It's also important to note that this is one of the worst tackling units in football. Should North Texas' line open up holes, Louisiana Tech will have to make the tackle, or else it will be in for a long night.
North Texas Mean Green
It hasn't been pretty, but the North Texas offense keeps finding ways to get the job done. It currently ranks 100+ in both Pass Success and Rush Success.
This is in large part because of the offensive line's efficiency and its ability to give quarterback Austin Aune — as well as the running backs — plenty of room to work with.
This is an above-average unit in both Line Yards and Pass Blocking, and it's poised for another big outing, as it's far superior to the Bulldogs' defensive line.
North Texas is going to look to go fast and set the tone early as one of the faster playing units in football. The Mean Green deploy a running-back-by-committee approach on offense, and all are capable of doing damage on the ground.
On the defensive end, the emphasis will once again be on the line to generate pressure. North Texas' defense is poor as a whole, but it has an advantage against the Louisiana Tech offensive line.
Louisiana Tech vs. North Texas Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Louisiana Tech and North Texas match up statistically:
Louisiana Tech Offense vs. North Texas Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 117 | 126 | |
| Line Yards | 124 | 129 | |
| Pass Success | 79 | 76 |  |
| Pass Blocking** | 115 | 46 | |
| Havoc | 118 | 124 | |
| Finishing Drives | 98 | 116 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
North Texas Offense vs. Louisiana Tech Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 102 | 127 | |
| Line Yards | 57 | 120 | |
| Pass Success | 101 | 33 | |
| Pass Blocking** | 48 | 116 | |
| Havoc | 44 | 110 | |
| Finishing Drives | 45 | 81 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 130 | 76 |
| PFF Coverage | 63 | 90 |
| SP+ Special Teams | 105 | 20 |
| Seconds per Play | 26.7 (68) | 23.7 (23) |
| Rush Rate | 45.1% (109) | 57.7% (35) |
Data via CollegeFootballData.com (CFBD), FootballOutsiders, SP+, Pro Football Focus and SportSource Analytics.
Louisiana Tech vs. North Texas Betting Pick
While Alabama vs. Tennessee or Oklahoma State vs. TCU may command the main screen during this time slot, you may want to throw this one up on the side, as there is value to be found and money to be made.
North Texas has a clear advantage on both ends — and that may dictate how this game goes. The Mean Green are far superior on both sides of the line and poised to dominate the battle of the trenches.
Louisiana Tech relies solely on its secondary to limit plays in the air, but is very poor at everything else. With the Mean Green offensive line giving their weapons the much needed room to work with, North Texas will be able to get extra yards, as the Bulldogs are one of the worst tackling units in football.
On the other end, North Texas will be sending pressure at McNeil all game, as the Louisiana Tech offensive line won't be able to hold up.
The Bulldogs are in for a long night. Take North Texas at -7 or better.
Pick: North Texas -6
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