In the second weekday bowl game of the season, there is a contest between two average teams. These teams are the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and the SMU Mustangs. Both teams started the season with very average expectations and both teams have reached those expectations by qualifying for a bowl game. Both teams managed to win at least six games and will look to add a bowl game victory to successfully culminate their seasons.
Louisiana Tech’s success is due to sophomore quarterback J’Mar Smith. This season, Smith threw for 13 touchdowns along with over 2,700 yards and only five interceptions. However, Smith also ran for 356 yards and five touchdowns. Smith’s ability to extend plays with his legs will be a crucial factor in this bowl game as Smith will need to generate several scoring drives if Louisiana Tech plans on winning this contest. Assisting Smith is running back Boston Scott who had 937 yard rushing this season along with nine total touchdowns. As a senior, this is Scott’s last game with the Bulldogs and I expect him to go out with a great performance.
SMU’s success is primarily due star quarterback Ben Hicks. In 12 games, Hicks threw for 32 touchdowns along with 3,442 yards. Hicks’ accuracy makes him a perfect fit for this uptempo SMU offense which averaged 40.5 points per game. SMU also averaged 308.0 passing yards per game which was the 16th most in all of college football this season. In other words, SMU’s offense starts and ends with Hicks. If SMU plans on winning this contest, Hicks will need to have a monster game through the air against this average Louisiana Tech defense.
As for my prediction, I have to side with Louisiana Tech. Although SMU has a more explosive offense, the Mustangs with be with a new head coach for the bowl game. Coach Chad Morris decided to leave SMU so he could become the new head coach at Arkansas. Replacing him is Sonny Dykes. Although Dykes is a good coach, I expect this SMU offense to struggle a bit due to the coaching change. I also have to question how focused the Mustangs will be with all of these distractions. I think Louisiana Tech comes out focused and pulls off this minor upset.
Louisiana Tech vs. SMU: Game Time, TV Channel & Viewing Details
Event: Louisiana Tech vs. SMU
Date: Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Start Time: 8:00 P.M. EST
Location: Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX
Broadcast: ESPN
How to Watch Louisiana Tech vs. SMU On Your Tablet Or Mobile Device
You can live stream the game on the WatchESPN app.
You can download the WatchESPN app on Google Play, Amazon, iTunes, and the Windows Store. The Fox Sports Go app is also available on the following devices: Apple TV, Roku, Android TV and Fire TV.
How To Live Stream Louisiana Tech vs. SMU Online Without Cable Subscription
You can also live stream the game through Sling TV free trial. Just click on the Sling website and click “Watch Now 7 Days Free” for the free trial. Choose the Sling Orange package, which costs $20 per month and comes with Fox Sports 1, along with many other sports channels.
