Texas A&M @ Louisiana Tech preview
Independence Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2012 ) Texas A&M 0, Louisiana Tech 0
What initially appeared to be just another non-conference game for No. 21 Texas A&M a month and a half ago is now a showdown between two of the best offenses in college football. The Aggies on Saturday travel to Shreveport hoping to end the nation’s longest regular season winning streak against No. 24 Louisiana Tech. This game, originally scheduled for Aug. 30 but postponed because of Hurricane Isaac, features two of the three teams in the FBS that rank in the top 30 nationally in rushing, passing, total and scoring offense. The Bulldogs, winners of 12 straight regular-season games, matched the 1975 team for the best start in school history with a 58-31 victory over UNLV last week while Texas A&M overcame six turnovers to win 30-27 at Mississippi.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Texas A&M -7
ABOUT TEXAS A&M (4-1): Although first-year quarterback Johnny Manziel threw the first two interceptions of his college career last week, he led two late fourth-quarter scoring drives as the Aggies grabbed their inaugural SEC victory. Manziel is the NCAA’s top freshman in three major statistical categories - rushing (99 yards per game), passing efficiency (162.83) and total offense (356 yards per game). The defense has managed to score a touchdown off a turnover in three straight contests. Senior wide receiver Ryan Swope is one catch from joining Jeff Fuller as the only players in school history with 200 career catches.
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (5-0): One of the main reasons for the Bulldogs’ undefeated record at this point of the season is a plus-2.2 turnover margin, the second-best mark in FBS. Senior quarterback Colby Cameron has yet to throw an interception in 180 attempts this season, but just as impressively, the defense has recovered 10 fumbles and picked off five passes. This game will test the strength of the Louisiana Tech offense as its No. 16 rushing attack (232.2 yards per game) will try to operate against an Aggies' defense allowing 3.2 yards per carry and 14.8 points per game.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Louisiana Tech is winless in 13 straight games against ranked opponents since defeating then-No. 23 Fresno State on Dec. 2, 2005.
2. Texas A&M is 10-0 all-time against the Bulldogs, but only one of those games has been played in Shreveport.
3. During their regular season winning streak, Louisiana Tech has enjoyed a plus-26 turnover margin.
PREDICTION: Texas A&M 55, Louisiana Tech 38