Pick details
| MATCHUP | Northwestern State Demons | Louisiana Tech Bulldogs |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| Where | Joe Aillet Stadium, Ruston, LA | |
| When | Saturday, September 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:30 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Louisiana Tech Preview
Louisiana Tech finished last season with an 8-5 overall record, a 5-3 conference record, and placed 4th in CUSA. They had a 4-2 home record and a 4-3 road record.
Offensively, the Bulldogs scored 27.3 points per game (ranking 71st in the nation). Defensively, Louisiana Tech allowed 20.8 points per game (ranking 35th in the nation). They averaged 359.2 total yards per game (195.4 rushing, 163.8 passing) and gave up 374.8 total yards per game (134.5 rushing, 240.3 passing).
Blake Baker led the Bulldogs with 102/155 completed passes and 1,251 total passing yards, throwing 12 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Clay Thevenin led the team in rushing yards with 634, adding a team-high 8 rushing touchdowns, while Devin Gandy had a team-high 22 caught passes for 376 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. Defensively, Jacob Fields led the team with 92 total tackles (50 solo), while Sifa Leota led Louisiana Tech in sacks with 4.0.
Northwestern State Preview
The Northwestern State Demons are coming off a 37-42 home defeat by the Louisiana Christian Wildcats, where they outgained their opponents 525-347 yards and had 76 total plays. Northwestern State had 341 passing yards, 184 rushing yards, and 32/45 completed passes, while losing the turnover battle 3-1. The Demons were 6/14 on third down conversions.
Abram Johnston led Northwestern State with 30/42 passes, 319 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Zay Davis had a team-high 124 rushing yards and one touchdown, while Jimmie Duncan caught 3 passes for a team-high 93 receiving yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Donovan Dozier led the Demons with 7 total tackles, 2 of them solo, while Braden Woods had one sack.
Northwestern State Demons @ Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Betting Trends: Week 1
Why the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will win
- Louisiana Tech has won each of its last 11 home openers.
- Louisiana Tech has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games at Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium.
- Louisiana Tech has won the first quarter in six of its last seven home games against teams from Louisiana.
Why the Northwestern State Demons will win
- Louisiana Tech has lost the first half in four of its last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Louisiana Tech’s last six games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Player Prop Facts
- Trey Kukuk was one of only 17 players in the FBS to record 500 rushing yards with less than 100 attempts last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Louisiana Tech ranked T2nd among FBS teams for interceptions last season (22).
- Louisiana Tech ranked 7th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (10.6).
Northwestern State vs Louisiana Tech Prediction
In this Northwestern State vs Louisiana Tech Prediction, Louisiana Tech is coming as -44.5 home favorites. Louisiana Tech is the superior team in this matchup, as they had a top-35 defense last season and will face of the worst teams of the FCS last season in Northwestern State. The Demons had only one win in their 12 games played last season and their offensive line was atrocious. Louisiana Tech is a veteran team that brought back quarterback Blake Baker off an ACL injury, they were a strong 8-5 ATS last season, so I expect them to dominate this game and cover the huge number at home.
