2017 Frisco Bowl Lines & Betting Pick: Louisiana Tech vs. SMU.

2017 Frisco Bowl Lines & Betting Pick: Louisiana Tech vs. SMU

Written by on December 13, 2017

College football bowl season gets underway this coming Saturday, and after the initial offering of 5 games, we will be treated to a new match-up every couple of days or so. Jumping ahead to next Wednesday, you will find the Frisco Bowl on the calendar, which delivers a match-up between the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and the SMU Mustangs. This is a game that has the promise of some real offensive fireworks, and it will represent the fourth time that these two teams have locked horns, with the balance of power very much in the favor of the Frisco Bowl lines favorite Bulldogs. This season has not been particularly kind to either of these teams, and both will be looking to close out the year with a bowl win, and it is once again, the Bulldogs who might be considered the more likely to get that victory given their bowl pedigree in recent years. The SMU Mustangs had the better regular season record of the two teams, though, which may help explain why the bookies have installed them as a 5-point favorite for this one. The point total for this one is 70, but given the offenses these two are bringing to the table, that number might not be safe.

Bulldogs (6-6) vs. Mustangs (7-5) 2017 Frisco Bowl Lines & Betting Pick

  • When: Wednesday, December 20 at 8 PM EST
  • Where: Toyota Stadium, Frisco
  • TV: ESPN
  • Radio: 107.5 FM (Louisiana Tech) / 96.7 FM (SMU)
  • Live Stream: Watch ESPN
  • NCAAF Odds: SMU Mustangs -5 (Over/Under at 70)

Weather Forecast

  • Clear: 22°C/71°F
  • Humidity: 25%
  • Precipitation: 1%
  • Cloud Cover: 3%
  • Wind: 3 mph ESE
  • Stadium Type: Open

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Recent Head to Head (Last 4 Games)

  • Record: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs lead 3-1
  • Score: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 38.00 / SMU Mustangs 14.75
  • Rush Yards: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 165.00 / SMU Mustangs 114.00
  • Pass Attempts: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 29.75 / SMU Mustangs 39.25
  • Completion Percentage: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 55.46 / SMU Mustangs 52.23
  • Passing Yards: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 242.50 / SMU Mustangs 220.00
  • Total Yards: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 407.5 / SMU Mustangs 334.00
  • Turnovers: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 1.00 / SMU Mustangs 3.00

Why consider the Bulldogs Frisco Bowl Lines?

The Bulldogs have been the team to beat in the C-USA for several years now, but this season saw them take a step backward, finishing the regular season at 6-6 and becoming bowl eligible by the skin of their teeth. As it is, this will be their 4th straight appearance in a bowl game, and their previous record has been good, winning all 3 and going 2-1 ATS in the progress. The Bulldogs finished the season on a decent little run of form, winning their final two games of the regular season and scoring 62 points in the process, which was up from their season scoring average of 28 PPG. Defensively, they gave up around 26 PPG, with much of the damage to this defense done via the ground game. Over the course of the season, the Bulldogs went 6-6 ATS but will feel that they have a chance to cover here given that they are 3-1 SU in previous meetings with SMU.

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Average Score For: 28.75
  • Total Yards: 406.83
  • Rush Yards: 175.08
  • Passing Yards: 231.75
Defense
  • Average Score Against: 26.67
  • Total Yards: 395.16
  • Rush Yards: 178.83
  • Passing Yards: 216.33

Why consider the Mustangs Frisco Bowl Lines?

If you are a fan of high-scoring, offensive football, then you should have been paying attention to the SMU Mustangs this season. They were shooting the lights out every single week, averaging over 40 PPG on offense, but perhaps the reason that they only finished 7-5 is that their defense was like a Swiss cheese, surrendering a touch over 35 PPG. SMU lead the Frisco Bowl Lines to win. Their wide-open style of play hurt them coming down the stretch, as they lost 3 of their last 4 games, with that single win coming on the final weekend of the regular season. Like the Bulldogs, SMU finished the season with a 6-6 record ATS. Perhaps a little surprisingly, the Mustangs were 7-5 O/U, but in fairness, they had some pretty hefty point totals placed on their games this season.

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Average Score For: 40.17
  • Total Yards: 494.08
  • Rush Yards: 186.08
  • Passing Yards: 308.00
Defense
  • Average Score Against: 35.50
  • Total Yards: 486.67
  • Rush Yards: 213.25
  • Passing Yards: 273.42

Latest Frisco Bowl Betting Trends

  • Louisiana Tech is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
  • Louisiana Tech is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 17 of Louisiana Tech’s last 25 games
  • Southern Methodist is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
  • Southern Methodist is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Southern Methodist’s last 6 games

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

The one thing that we can guarantee in this one is that we are going to see a lot of offense. I think this will be a close game, which is why I am going with SMU to back their Frisco Bowl lines to win and the Bulldogs to cover. I also like the OVER in this one. Score: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 35 – SMU Mustangs 38