2015 CFB Preview – Louisiana Tech


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Skip Holtz is going back to same well that helped produce a nine-win season in 2014.

By Rich Cirminiello | @RichCirminiello

Last year’s stunning turnaround would not have been possible if QB Cody Sokol didn’t transfer from Iowa. Playing the role of Sokol this fall, Tech fans hope, is Jeff Driskel, who failed to reach lofty expectations while at Florida. If Driskel can reinvent himself in Ruston, the Bulldogs maintain enough talent on both sides of the ball to repeat as Conference USA West Division champs.

This is an especially important year for Holtz, who’s still rebuilding his reputation following a failed three-year stint at South Florida that ended with his ouster in 2012.

Louisiana Tech has authored back-to-back winning seasons just once this century, achieved by Holtz predecessor Sonny Dykes in 2011 and 2012. So, building off last year’s improbable 9-5, divisional-winning campaign is a top priority for every member of the program. Because as exciting as last fall was for the Bulldogs, they’ll fall off the radar in a flash if their encore performance is a dud.

While Driskel will be a seminal figure in 2015, it’s not as if he’ll be asked to carry the team without help. Tech boasts one of the league’s top backs, Kenneth Dixon, as well as a receiving corps that brings back four of last season’s top five pass-catchers. On defense, the Bulldogs have a new boss, Blake Baker, yet the same philosophy—use speed and tenacity to force the opposition into costly mistakes. The 2014 D ranked second nationally to Washington in combined sacks and takeaways, a huge element to last year’s overall team success.

Job well done last season, Louisiana Tech. But 2014 will lose its sizzle if you can’t deliver an appropriate second act under Holtz. The Bulldogs harbor as much talent and balance as anyone in the league, including a high-profile SEC quarterback seeking redemption on a new campus. The key for Tech is to remain hot and in contention for the West Division crown.

Anything less, with a deep and veteran roster, will reignite questions about Holtz, whose hiring and debut drew sharp criticism two years ago.

What you need to know about the offense: Coordinator Tony Petersen engineered one of the biggest year-over-year turnarounds in 2014, which he plans to continue in 2015. The Bulldogs went from No. 12 in Conference USA scoring to No. 3, nearly doubling their points. Now, a turnover-happy defense was certainly a factor, but so was the injection of Iowa transfer QB Cody Sokol. And now that Sokol has finished his cup of coffee in Ruston, it’s Jeff Driskel’s turn to provide the jolt … as long as he beats out holdover Ryan Higgins. Petersen will again lean heavily on his backs, physical downhill runners Kenneth Dixon and Jarred Craft. However, the passing game is the key. Driskel—or Higgins—needs to precipitate balance, while engaging an eclectic receiving corps headed by Trent Taylor, Paul Turner and Carlos Henderson. Up front, Tech will be missing its best blocker, enormous RT Mitchell Bell. New line coach Robert McFarland is banking on 6-8, 331-pound OT Derek Edinburgh, an LSU transfer, being a key part of the rebuilding plan along the O-line.

What you need to know about the defense: Manny Diaz did a brilliant job of transforming the Bulldogs into an attacking tour de force in 2014. A good enough job, in fact, to land him the same coordinator position on Dan Mullen’s Mississippi State staff. Young and fiery Blake Baker, the safeties coach, was the immediate beneficiary, earning a significant promotion at the age of 32. Since it aint broke, Baker doesn’t plan to fix the job that Diaz started. Tech will continue to push the envelope, pin its ears back and pile up sacks and turnovers. It’s now in the team’s DNA. Baker’s secondary could be the most talented and disruptive in the league. His D-line has an inside-outside presence with Vernon Butler and Vontarrius Dora, respectively. The coach’s linebackers, though, have been an offseason focus after all three starters graduated. Scrappy seniors Beau Fitte and Nick Thomason are poised for a breakout finales, but much more help and depth will be needed at the position.

What to watch for on offense: Who conforms to who? Barring an unexpected surge from veteran Ryan Higgins, Jeff Driskel will be the Bulldog starting quarterback in his only season in Ruston. But can the Tech coaching staff build an attack that accentuates the Florida transfer’s diverse skill set? Driskel is an underrated 6-4, 234-pounder, who rushed for 626 yards and nine scores in Gainesville. Holtz might want to rummage for his old South Florida playbook, because former Bull B.J. Daniels shares some of the same qualities and characteristics as Driskel.

What to watch for on defense: No reason to get cute. When coordinator Manny Diaz took the same position at Mississippi State, it created an opportunity for Blake Baker to get promoted from within. But while Diaz is in Starkville, his blueprint is likely to remain in Ruston. Tech attacked religiously in 2014, with outstanding results, and should employ the same philosophy this fall. Sure, Baker is going to put his own stamp on the D, but he’d be smart to stick to the plan that helped make Tech so chaotically successful a season ago.

This team will be far better if … the offense performs with more consistency. The Tech offense was solid last year. But when it went south, it usually took the rest of the team with it. In the Bulldogs’ three most visible losses of 2014, they turned the ball over five times against Northwestern State and struggled badly to convert on third downs versus Old Dominion and Marshall. Even with a new quarterback and some first-time starting linemen, Tech must find a way to avoid costly offensive derailments this season.

The Schedule: The Bulldogs will get two high-profile non-conference tests versus Kansas State and Mississippi State, the latter against former defensive coordinator Manny Diaz.
– The defending West Division champs drew two of the tougher East Division opponents in 2015 with a Sept. 12 trip to Western Kentucky and a Sept. 26 visit from Middle Tennessee.
– There will be no rematch of last year’s Conference USA Championship Game with Marshall … unless, of course, both schools capture their respective divisions for a second straight year.
– Louisiana Tech better use the opener with Southern as a tune-up, because trips to Western Kentucky and Kansas State loom in the Week 2 and Week 3 on-deck circle, respectively.
– The Bulldogs will play 10 games in a row before finally earning an off week on Nov. 14.
– WATCH OUT FOR … UTSA. Larry Coker’s Roadrunners are always well-coached, especially on D, and the home team has won each meeting between these two programs.

Best Offensive Player: Senior RB Kenneth Dixon. For an offense whose identity is so deeply rooted in a power running game, Dixon is an absolute necessity for the Bulldogs. He’s flown beneath the radar throughout his career in Ruston, yet has produced 3,915 yards from scrimmage and 61 touchdowns over three seasons. Dixon will once again rank among Conference USA’s premier backs, helping to soften defenses and set up Louisiana Tech’s passing game, especially on play-action.

Best Defensive Player: Junior S Xavier Woods. The Tech D is all about the chaos, the relentless pressure and the energy. And no one typifies the unit’s identity better than Woods. He’s been a fixture in the Bulldog secondary over the past two seasons, wreaking havoc with a combination of athleticism and instincts. Woods accounted for nine turnovers in 2014, returning a pair of interceptions for touchdowns. He’ll once again be the ringleader of a defense that operates with boundless energy and passion for mayhem.

Key player to a successful season: Senior QB Jeff Driskel. No single player was responsible for Tech’s five-win improvement in 2014. But Iowa transfer QB Cody Sokol was undeniably instrumental in the surge. Driskel essentially needs to channel Sokol for 12 games by providing the Bulldogs with a complementary passing attack to go along with the running of Kenneth Dixon and Jarred Craft. Plus, the team needs someone who can make good use of a talented collection of receivers. Driskel doesn’t have to erase the disappointment of his Florida career in one fell swoop. He must, however, competently lead the offense, especially now that he’s longer facing SEC defenses.

The season will be a success if … the Bulldogs avoid a yo-yo season. Tech won nine games in 2012, four in 2013 and nine again last year. It’s that kind of erratic behavior that’s prevented the squad from gaining traction as a Group of Five program. Nine wins will admittedly be difficult with a schedule that includes road trips to Western Kentucky, Kansas State, Mississippi State, Rice and UTEP. Still, there’s enough veteran talent in Ruston for the Bulldogs to again compete for the division, while sealing up a postseason berth with some margin for error in November.

Key game: Oct. 31 at Rice. Louisiana Tech’s bid to repeat as the West Division champ really goes into high gear with this trip to Houston to play the Owls. This will be the first of two crucial divisional matchups, including a game at UTEP three weeks later, that could determine one-half of the Conference USA title game. Rice is always well-coached, with a deep and diverse backfield that’ll test the rebuilt second level of the Louisiana Tech defense.

2014 Fun Stats:
– Points off turnovers: Louisiana Tech 178 – Opponents 54
– Takeaways: Louisiana Tech 26 – Opponents 35
– Sacks: Louisiana Tech 38 – Opponents 19

Players You Need To Know

1. RB Kenneth Dixon, Sr.
When Dixon decided to return for his senior year, there was a sigh of relief in Ruston. He’s the focal point of an offense that wants to set up the pass with the run. Dixon has led the Bulldogs in rushing in each of his three seasons, capped by last year’s career-best 1,299 yards and 22 scores on 253 carries. He’s also a reliable pass-catcher, turning 30 grabs into 385 yards and six more scores to bolster his Second Team All-Conference USA resume. The 5-10, 212-pound Dixon is a no-nonsense, downhill runner, a key reason he’s scored 61 times in three seasons.

2. S Xavier Woods, Jr.
Woods is a Conference USA star, with an SEC set of skills. The gem of the 2013 recruiting class has started every game of his Bulldog career since arriving from West Monroe (La.) High School. Woods is a ball-hawk out of the secondary, nabbing six interceptions in 2014 to go along with 13 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and 71 tackles. And he’s a weapon with the ball in his hands, scoring twice and setting a single-season record with 230 return yards. Woods was named to the All-Conference USA First Team, and he’s still just at the halfway point of his college career.

3. WR Trent Taylor, Jr.
Taylor had one offer coming out of high school. But that’s all he needed to prove his critics wrong. His stature, just 5-8 and 175 pounds, scared off everyone else, but then-Bulldog coach Sonny Dykes took a chance. And Skip Holtz’s staff has reaping the benefits ever since. Taylor is the quintessential slot receiver, quick in an out of cuts, sure-handed, competitive and extremely smart. He caught a team-high 64 balls for 834 yards and nine touchdowns to earn Second Team All-Conference USA honors.

4. DT Vernon Butler, Sr.
La Tech is no stranger to sending linemen to the pros. Butler could be the next Bulldog to play on Sundays. He might possess the best all-around measurables of the defenders, notable since he’s 6-3 and 309 pounds. Butler gets off the snap quickly, and his burst provides a head start en route to the backfield. In what will go down as a table-setting junior season in 2014, he led the team’s linemen with 56 tackles, 13.5 of which were behind the line. Butler has All-Conference USA potential in his final year.

5. S Kentrell Brice, Sr.
Brice is the other half of a safety tandem that should rank among the best in Conference USA this season. He moved into a full-time role in 2014 after starting six games in 2013, making a team-best 86 stops, four sacks, two interceptions and two forced. Though just 5-11 and 198 pounds, he can deliver the payload, and he has the range to contribute in myriad areas of the field. After copping honorable mention All-Conference USA last fall, Brice is poised to step outside of teammate Xavier Woods’ shadow this season.

6. CB Adairius Barnes, Sr.
With Le’Vander Liggins graduating, Barnes is back as the leader of the Bulldog cornerbacks. He’s a two-year starter, capping each of those seasons by being named honorable mention All-Conference USA. In 2014, the 5-11, 186-pounder made 46 tackles, four stops for loss, five interceptions and a team-high 14 passes defended. Barnes excels in pass coverage, and has the ball skills to make opposing quarterbacks second-guess targeting his side of the field.

7. QB Jeff Driskel, Sr.
Driskel, the one-time blue-chip recruit at Florida, is hoping to revive his career in Ruston. He’ll attempt to replace Cody Sokol, another transfer from a Power Five conference, while gaining an ounce of redemption for flaming out in Gainesville. The 6-4, 234-pound Driskel has the physical tools for success, as well as 22 career starts as Gator. However, he was plagued by turnovers and poor decisions in the pocket, throwing more picks than touchdowns in three of his four seasons.

8. DE Vontarrius Dora, Sr.
Dora will once again be the Bulldogs’ most consistent pass rusher. The 6-4, 253-pound third-year starter is at his best when pinning his ears and making a beeline for the pocket. He’s not going to be counted on as a steady run defender. But he can be nuisance attacking the quarterback off the edge. In an honorable mention All-Conference USA junior year, Dora was second on the team with four sacks to go along with 29 tackles and 6.5 stops for negative yards.

9. WR Paul Turner, Sr.
After sitting out 2013, per NCAA rules, the Bulldogs finally had access to the talents of Turner, who began his career at LSU. The early results were mixed, 42 catches for 514 yards and four touchdowns, but much more is expected from the 5-11, 190-pounder this season. If Turner can stay healthy for the entire season, he harbors the raw physical ability to take his game to another as an outside receiver.

10. WR Carlos Henderson, Soph.
When explosive plays are sought, the Bulldogs will dial up Henderson, their game-breaker on offense and special teams. The 5-11, 185-pounder can take the top off the defense with his straight-line speed. He came off the bench as a rookie to lead Tech with 19.6 yards per reception, turning 29 grabs into 569 yards and four touchdowns. Henderson was also one of Conference USA’s most dangerous kick returner, returning one 96 yards as part of a 25-yard average.

11. C Kirby Wixson, Sr.
Wixson cracked the lineup in Week 3 versus North Texas last September and never left it. He’d go on to become a fixture in the middle of the line, while earning honorable mention All-Conference USA accolades. At 6-4 and 325 pounds, Wixson boasts the size and the strength to move opposing linemen off the ball. And just a year removed from Hinds (Miss.) Community College, he’s set to become the O-line anchor in Ruston.

Head Coach: Skip Holtz
3rd year: 13-13
16th year overall: 101-84
Schedule
Sept. 5 Southern
Sept. 12 at WKU
Sept. 19 at Kansas State
Sept. 26 FIU
Oct. 3 Louisiana
Oct. 10 at UTSA
Oct. 17 at Miss State
Oct. 24 Middle Tennessee
Oct. 31 at Rice
Nov. 7 North Texas
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 at UTEP
Nov. 28 Southern Miss
Ten Best Louisiana Tech Players
1. RB Kenneth Dixon, Sr.
2. S Xavier Woods, Jr.
3. WR Trent Taylor, Jr.
4. DT Vernon Butler, Sr.
5. S Kentrell Brice, Sr.
6. CB Adairius Barnes, Sr.
7. QB Jeff Driskel, Sr.
8. DE Vontarrius Dora, Sr.
9. WR Paul Turner, Sr.
10. WR Carlos Henderson, Soph.