Tomorrow night at 6:00 PM Central, the Bulldogs take on the Southern University Jaguars at home in the Joe. But before you watch the game, you need to know a few things. That’s where we come in!
How to Watch
Much like last week’s game, this game will be on ESPN’s subscription streaming service ESPN+. If you didn’t sign up last week, you can still get a 7 day free trial to catch this game.
Other People’s Predictions
- ESPN FPI: Tech has a 97.9% chance to win.
- Massey: 47-14, Tech wins
- Vegas (OddsShark): 45-0, Tech wins
- BleedTechBlue: 54-13, Tech wins
- Mike Geggenheimer, Southern beat-writer for The Advocate: 42-14, Tech wins
Previous Record
Tech enters the game having (barely) won their first game. Southern, on the other hand, got walloped over in Fort Worth by TCU. That’s where we stand entering tomorrow evening.
What to Watch For
Tomorrow night I’ll be watching for some new Tech players to get involved in the action. I want to see freshmen wide receivers Smoke Harris and Wayne Toussant get some offensive snaps while J’Mar is still in at QB. I’d like to see backup QB Westin Elliot take some snaps, but not because of chanting from the student section. On the defensive side of the ball, young guys like Jaiden Cole and Brodrick Calhoun should get on to the field. Games like this are meant to be tune-ups that allow both teams to assess their depth at all positions. Hopefully that’s what we’ll get tomorrow night.
Random Factoid
So everyone knows about Southern’s famous marching band, the “Human Jukebox.” They’re consistently hailed as one of the most entertaining and best college marching bands in the nation, for good reason. The annual Southern-Grambling rivalry game is honestly more about the Battle of the Bands at halftime than the football game. When the Marching Jaguars come to Ruston on Saturday, fun times will be had by all. Our own Band of Pride loves to interact with and play off of other bands, so when it happens, it’s a lot of fun.
Here’s some things about the Human Jukebox that you maybe didn’t know. They’ve performed at the Super Bowl SIX times. Six!!! In addition, their long-time former director Dr. Isaac Greggs is in the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame and had a case dedicated to him at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Finally, the Human Jukebox marched in President Bill Clinton’s first inaugural parade back in 1993. Here’s a video of that performance:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99cFbNz6pCU&w=560&h=315]
Hot Taeks
Evan: J’Mar’s statline will be 16 of 21, 297 yards, 3 TDs. Add in 43 yards on the ground and a TD. Fans will still be upset.
Josh: J’Mar will throw one bad pass that is almost picked off and the student section will start chanting “We want Westin!”
Nathan: The halftime shows will be more entertaining than the football game.
Daniel A: The game will be within a possession at halftime.
Daniel S: Southern fans will trash talk the Band of Pride as they take the field for halftime.
Final Prediction
Evan: I think this game will help J’Mar get on track and build some confidence. Tech’s running backs will have an outstanding game. I’m predicting that both Tucker and Dancy will have over 100 yards on the ground, with one of them going over 150. Defensively, Jay Ferg will wreak havoc. Southern’s got some big boys on their OL, but Ferg’s huge, lean, and fast.
Tech wins, 52-21
Josh: The starters will do well and give us a big lead at halftime. I’m expecting to see a lot of depth players get plenty of time in the second half. I also expect “We want Westin” chants to start the moment J’Mar looks anything less than perfect.
Tech wins, 45-14
Matt: J’Mar will bounce back and toss 3 TDs. But the Jaguars will inexplicably have a great first half rushing and will make things too close for comfort for a minute.
Tech wins, 49-17
Nathan: Last week was the Jaqwis Dancy game. This will be the Israel Tucker game. J’Mar’s performance this week will be night and day compared to last week.
Tech wins, 48-17
Daniel A: Someone on the BBB complains about the band being in summer uniform, then someone compares the BOP to the Human Jukebox and at least one vaguely racist comment is made. Also Tech wins the football game.
Tech wins, 41-20
Daniel S: Southern will score the first touchdown, causing Tech fans everywhere to have a meltdown. But Tech turns it around to win.
Tech wins, 42-14