Because of COVID-19, there is no NFL game on Thursday this week. But there are two college football games scheduled. The first is from Conference USA as Louisiana Tech (4-3) visits North Texas (3-4). The Bulldogs are short road favorites on the NCAAF odds.

How to Bet Louisiana Tech at North Texas NCAA Football Odds & TV Info

• When: Thursday, 6 PM ET
• Where: Apogee Stadium, Denton, Texas
• TV: CBS Sports Network
• Stream: CBS Sports app
• Radio:com
• Opening NCAAF Lines: Louisiana Tech -2.5 (total 66)

Last Meeting

Last year, Louisiana Tech crushed North Texas 52-17. J’Mar Smith passed for 263 yards and a touchdown. Louisiana Tech had 264 yards rushing and five TD runs. Justin Henderson led the way with 15 carries for 58 yards and two TDs. Israel Tucker, Jawaun Johnson and Smoke Harris each added a TD run for the Bulldogs. Adrian Hardy caught nine passes for 104 yards and Isaiah Graham caught an 80-yard TD pass from Smith late in the third quarter.

Why Bet on Louisiana Tech? | 2020 NCAAF Expert Analysis

Because of COVID-19 cancelations/postponements, Louisiana Tech hasn’t played since a 37-34 double overtime win over UAB – the Bulldogs were down 14 in the fourth quarter. Jacob Barnes hit the winning field goal from 35 yards.

After each team traded field goals in the first OT period, UAB got possession of the football to start the second overtime and immediately connected on a 22-yard pass to the Tech 3-yard line. On the ensuing play, UAB running back Spencer Brown found himself in a scrum around the goal line before being stripped of the football by Tech safety Bee Jay Williamson.

Tech ran three plays, setting up Barnes’ game-winning attempt. His 38-yard attempt sailed right but a running into the kicker penalty gave Tech a first down. Three more running plays by the Bulldogs and Barnes had a second chance.

Tech QB Aaron Allen completed 18-of-26 passes for 191 yards and two scores while Adrian Hardy led the Tech receivers with seven receptions for 101 yards and two TDs With Hardy’s two touchdown receptions, the Bulldogs now have six skill players who have recorded multiple touchdowns in a single game.  Hardy has now recorded more than 100 receiving yards in two of the past three games. He has eight games with over 100 receiving yards in his career.

Williamson tallied three total turnovers – two interceptions and a forced fumble. He was the first Bulldog with two interceptions since Amik Robertson picked off three passes against Southern Miss on Oct. 19, 2019. Williamson also set a new career high in tackles, making 10 total stops.

Tech will be short-handed for this one as starting left tackle Donavaughn Campbell, Hardy and running back Justin Henderson all opted out last week to start preparing for the NFL Draft. Hardy had 442 yards receiving and four scores this year. Henderson had 252 yards and two scores on the ground.

“They all three informed me of their decision. They came to me and told me this is where they are,” Coach Skip Holtz said. “They’re all seniors. They’re all big boys and they need to make their own decision. I told them I didn’t necessarily agree with it, but I wasn’t there to argue with them. If they felt like that was in their best interest, then I would respect it. I would support it.”

Why Bet on North Texas? | 2020 NCAAF Expert Analysis

North Texas (3-4) lost 49-17 at UTSA on Saturday. The Mean Green entered the game averaging 559.5 yards per game (fifth nationally in all of FBS) and 37.2 points per game, which was second in Conference USA, but managed just 401 total yards in the loss.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Jason Bean was replaced in the final minutes of the first half by redshirt sophomore Austin Aune before re-entering the game late, but neither signal-caller had an answer for the Roadrunners’ defense. Bean threw for 102 yards and two touchdowns, while Aune finished with 115 yards.

Receiver Jaelon Darden kept his national FBS lead for receiving touchdowns this season with his 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the second quarter – his 12th of the season in just seven games. He finished the day with eight catches for 143 yards and is now tied for the school’s all-time career receiving touchdown lead with 31.

The 143-yard performance was Darden’s third 100-yard receiving game of the season and the sixth of his career. He is in second place on the program’s all-time receptions list and trails the all-time leader, Casey Fitzgerald (2005-08), by 15 catches after he finished his decorated career with 229 catches.

Freshman running back Oscar Adaway hit the century mark for the third time this season in his four appearances with 101 yards on 15 carries. The North Texas defense was awful, though, allowing 624 yards – including a whopping 443 rushing.

North Texas appeared to be headed in the right direction defensively in its first season under coordinator Clint Bowen heading into that game. The Mean Green had allowed just 24 points in its last six quarters of action against Middle Tennessee and Rice.

“We knew that we had to stop the run and not let the quarterback get outside the pocket,” UNT coach Seth Littrell said. “He is way too dangerous. They had a great day and executed very well. We made too many mistakes.”

Game Trends

• Bulldogs are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
• Bulldogs are 5-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
• Mean Green are 5-17 ATS in their last 22 conference games.
• Mean Green are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 home games.
• Bulldogs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.

Expert Prediction

• Louisiana Tech 30, North Texas 27

 

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