Hawaii at Louisiana Tech (09/30/2009)

Sports Network Predicted Outcome:

Hawaii 31, Louisiana Tech 20

The Bulldogs made all the right moves against Nicholls State, but a closer look at the numbers shows that LaTech shouldn't get too high on itself. After four games this season Nicholls State, which plays in the Southland Conference in the FCS, ranks second-to-last in the country in passing with a mere 73.3 ypg and has the second-worst pass efficiency rating (68.37) among the programs at that level. The scoring defense for the program has been atrocious, allowing 46.8 ppg and close to 490 ypg in total offense to opponents such as LaTech. The Bulldogs managed to force four turnovers in the meeting, but again, before Tech fans can get too excited about such a positive stat, they have to recognize that Nicholls State is among the worst teams in the FCS in that particular area. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs used the opportunity to move into first place in the WAC and 16th in the nation in pass defense with just 156 ypg allowed. Certainly a strong number for the Bulldogs, but how does that mesh for a program that is last in the WAC in sacks with just 0.67 per game and is 110th nationally with a mere four tackles for loss per outing?

Even though the stats say LaTech has a strong pass defense, one has to take into consideration a Navy team that rarely throws the ball to begin with and an inept Nicholls State squad that was overmatched the last time out. The Bulldogs should get a better sense of where they stand in terms of defending the pass when they try to shut down Alexander and Salas this week, something that is easier said than done.

No Complaining About Travel This Week
While Louisiana Tech often is at the top of the nation in miles traveled, this is a week where the Bulldogs have no right to complain. LA Tech will be hosting its second consecutive home game while Hawai'i will be on the road for the third straight week. When the two teams kickoff on Wednesday night, LA Tech will have traveled 3,212 miles this season to date while Hawai'i will have traveled 19,624 miles, coming off the island for the third consecutive week.

On playing Louisiana Tech on a Wednesday…

It’s on national television, its our third game on the road, and you have to do what you have to do, so I’m not complaining. People say we have a bye. We don’t have a bye, because the next week we play Fresno State. We may not have a game on Saturday, but in my mind, we don’t have a bye. Being away for this long creates a lot of work for our academic people. Our players are in class in September, nine times. We’re working very hard and our academic people are working hard. It’s tough on everyone. It’s tough to win on the road. But we’re going to do what’s best for these players and this program. I have no doubt that we are going to take care of it.