Tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 Central the Bulldogs return home to the Joe to take on the Grambling State Tigers. But before the Dogs hit the 100+ degree turf, there’s a few things you need to know. That’s where we come in!
How to Watch
This game is being broadcast on the NFL Network, for some reason. If you didn’t use PS Vue last week (or if you forgot to cancel it), you can use PS Vue. But you can also head over to Sling TV’s Blue plan, which has a 7 day free trial and includes NFL Network.
Other People’s Predictions
- ESPN FPI: Tech has a 95% chance to win
- Massey: Tech wins, 38-7
- Vegas (OddsShark): Tech wins by 29.5
- SP+: Tech wins, 44-16
- BleedTechBlue: Tech wins, 45-17
- NCAA 14 Simulation: Tech beat FCS Southeast 34-19
What to Watch For
Evan: Tech’s Running Backs really need to get it going against Grambling. Last week, the team only rushed for 73 yards against Texas, and that is just absolutely not good enough to win. Coming out of camp, I was excited to see the three veteran backs in rotation. Sure, a three-headed monster may mean that no one guy is good enough to demand the workload of a “lead back,” but it also means that all three guys can keep their legs fresh in games (and more importantly, for the long season ahead).
It’s not all that surprising that the #10 (now #9, Q U A L I T Y O P P O N E N T) in the nation stopped our running game. But this week, it cannot happen. Grambling allowed 315 yards on the ground last week to an admittedly pretty decent ULM rushing attack. Even if they’re pretty deec, the Warhawks piled it on, averaging 8.1 yards per carry and breaking long runs of 51, 39, 37, and 25 yards.
If Tech wants to be successful on the ground at all this season, they’ve absolutely got to get it going against the Tigers this weekend. After watching some highlights from their game last weekend, it’s clear that Tech’s offensive line should be able to dominate the trenches and open up huge holes for Tucker, Dancy, Henderson, and (hopefully late in the game) DeAndre Marcus. Grambling also had some issues with open field tackling that some of our skills guys should be salivating over right now in the film room.
Hot Taeks
Evan: I’m going to call it now: Tech will successfully convert not one, but TWO FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS. Talk about a spicy take!!!!
Nathan: Tech may make two field goals, but Hale will also miss one. Chants of “We Want Barnes” will rain down from the stands.
Daniel S: Tech will score a lot but the only touchdowns we get will be defensive and special teams.
Josh: Hale will miss two FGs and then Barnes will come in to drill a 45+ yard FG. The stadium goes nuts. Tech wins 45-10.
Matt: Bailey Hale will kick the ball so hard against Grambling he will inadvertently strike Hale Hall, but obviously miss the attempt wide right.
Interesting Tidbit
Evan: This game, the second all time meeting between Louisiana Tech and Grambling State, has been unofficially dubbed the “Buddy Bowl” by Tech’s leadership. No, it’s not called that because the campuses are literally 5 miles apart from each other in Lincoln Parish.
The game has been named the “Buddy Bowl” after long-time Ruston Daily Leader sportswriter O.K. “Buddy” Davis passed away in the summer.
Davis made his career writing about the people, sports, and happenings around Lincoln Parish. He graduated from Tech with a degree in Journalism in 1969, and began covering sports for the Ruston Daily Leader in 1970. He loved sportswriting so much that he turned down the opportunity to become city news editor with the paper, preferring to focus on sports stories.
In his time covering Tech, he covered Terry Bradshaw, Karl Malone, Leon Barmore and the Lady Techsters’ glory days, and so many other Tech superstars.
Coach Barmore loved that Buddy covered everything. “He might be at an 8-year-old Little League game, and then he’d head to spring football practice. His brush was so broad; he reached so many people, and they loved him for it.”
But one of Davis’s ongoing legacies is the attention that he paid to Grambling, as well. In a time when other sportswriters could have easily turned their focus away from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities of the world, Davis shined a light on Grambling, particularly the football program.
Davis covered Grambling through their glory years, late in legendary coach Eddie Robinson’s tenure. Robinson once told Sports Illustrated that he viewed Davis “like a son.” Former Grambling QB and Head Coach Doug Williams said, “Buddy might know more about Grambling’s athletic history than anyone. As a player and as a coach, I know that if anyone in Grambling athletics ever needed some positive words, you could count on Buddy. There are so many Grambling athletes who rose to great heights, largely because of the words Buddy wrote about them.”
The loss of Buddy Davis was huge for both the Tech and Grambling communities, so it’s only fitting that both teams will wear stickers on their helmets honoring him tomorrow afternoon.
[For more on Buddy Davis, Check out: his LSHOF memorial, and this article from 2013]
Final Predictions
Evan: This game will be the polar opposite of the Texas game for Tech. We’ll start out hot and finish drives with TDs. Special teams will look great, as Grambling’s tackling leaves something to be desired. It’s going to be a really hot afternoon, and not just because the sun’s beating down on the turf. The Dogs dominate this game and win huge like they should.
Tech wins, 52-17
Nathan: I’m honestly a little scared of Grambling’s running game. They lit up ULM’s typically average run defense, and Tech did not look like a good run stopping team against Texas. That said, luckily the forward pass was introduced in 1906, so we should be good.
Tech wins, 31-13
Daniel S: Last week left a lot to be desired out of our run game. This week Tech will have a dominate performance from our running backs, and we will cruise our way to a big win primarily on the ground.
Tech wins, 38-17
Josh: There’s really not a whole lot for me to say that hasn’t already been mentioned by the other gtpdd members. Grambling has a good run game and Tech’s run D didn’t look too stellar last week. J’Mar should play well against the Grambling defense and we should be able to get something going on the ground. Special teams will need to get their act together. All said, it should be an easy win/bounce back game for Tech.
Tech wins 45-10