Frisco Bowl preview: SMU vs. Louisiana Tech
Sizing up the DXL Frisco Bowl between SMU (7-5) and Louisiana Tech (6-6):
Time, TV: Dec. 20, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Site: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
Analysis
Louisiana Tech doesn’t have the high-octane passing attack it did last year when it reached the Conference USA title game, but the Bulldogs have been able to show signs of greatness here and there.
While last year’s team was a high-flying thrill ride, this team lives off of turnover margin, and picking off passes — with 16 for the season — and by not making big mistakes.
The Mustangs offense, on the other hand, put up 40 points or more in each of its last three games. However, SMU lost two of those last three games because the defense couldn’t come up with a meaningful stop.
SMU ranks 112th in the nation in scoring defense (35.5 points allowed per game) with a secondary that gets torched way too easily (273.4 passing yards allowed per game).
MORE: College football bowl schedule for 2017-18
Fortunately for the Mustangs, Ben Hicks and the offense make up for most of the defensive issues, averaging 308 passing yards per game with a whopping 14 yards per completion.
The Bulldogs average 231.8 passing yards per game.
Last year’s Louisiana Tech team would have made this a high-scoring game. This year’s team likely will try to win by taking the ball away.
Players to watch
QB Ben Hicks, SMU: The redshirt sophomore had a nice freshman season, but he threw too many picks. He cut down on the interceptions — going from 15 to nine — while also throwing for 3,442 yards and 32 touchdowns. While he’s not always accurate enough or consistent enough with his passes, when he’s on, he’ll hit about 70% of them and the offense can’t be stopped.
WR Courtland Sutton, SMU: Trey Quinn led the team with 106 catches for 1,191 yards with 12 touchdowns, but Sutton is the devastating deep threat who’ll end up making major noise at the next level. The 6-4, 216-pounder is big, fast and dominant whenever he gets the ball in his hands, catching 62 passes for 1,017 yards and 12 scores and averaging 16.4 yards per grab.
DE Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech: The team’s star pass rusher over the last few seasons, he didn’t come up with the 14.5 sacks like he did as a sophomore, but he was still the best player up front who was the tone-setter for the D. The 6-5, 270-pounder is a solid NFL prospect.
QB J’Mar Smith, Louisiana Tech: Smith’s passing has been sketchy throughout the season, but Smith isn’t afraid to push the ball down the field. He is built like a running back (6-1, 230 pounds) with five scores on the ground but needs to at least hit half of his passes.
Who wins?
Louisiana Tech’s biggest issue is that SMU doesn’t turn the ball over.
With just 13 giveaways on the season, the Mustangs aren’t going to give up the huge mistakes the Bulldogs will need to come up with a few easy scores. SMU will have too much offense when it needs it.
Pick: SMU, 40-23