Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Nov. 19, 2021

Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Conference-USA hits the gridiron on Friday evening as the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs host the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Kick off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET and will air on CBSSN from Joe Aillet Stadium is Ruston, Louisiana.

Score Prediction

Louisiana Tech 37, Southern Miss 17

Best Bets

Louisiana Tech -16

Over

Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Predictions

It hasn’t been a good year for either the Southern Miss Golden Eagles or the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Southern Miss doesn’t have a single victory against an FBS team, while Louisiana Tech is going to miss a bowl game for the first time since 2013. The Bulldogs have been far more competitive than the Golden Eagles though, and that’s why they are favored by more than two touchdowns on Friday night in Ruston.

Skip Holtz shouldn’t have any trouble leading the Bulldogs past the Golden Eagles. Holtz is trying to avoid his worst season since he took over the program. Despite the team’s woes, they have continued to play hard, and the Golden Eagles have lost five straight games by 10 points or more.

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Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Betting Odds

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Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Betting Resources

• Matchup: C-USA
• Date: Friday, November 19, 2021
• Venue: Joe Aillet Stadium
• Location: Ruston, Louisiana
• TV-Time: CBSSN - 8:00 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• College Football Playoff Betting

Southern Miss Golden Eagles Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 1-9
• ATS: 2-8
• O/U: 2-8
• ATS - Home: 1-4
• ATS - Away: 1-4

Frank Gore Jr. has been one of the few bright spots for Southern Miss. The son of the legendary running back is making a name for himself in Hattiesburg. Gore averaged 5.9 YPC in 2020, and he is averaging 4.5 YPC as the top running back on the roster this season.

Southern Miss has not had good play from the quarterback position though. Eight different players (five quarterbacks) have thrown a pass, and the Golden Eagles are completing 54.5% of their passes for 5.7 YPA with nine touchdowns and 15 interceptions as a team. Gore was the leading passer last week with 33 passing yards.

Trey Lowe III and Ty Keyes both suffered season-ending injuries, leading to freshman walk-on Jake Lange starting for the last month. Lange came out just to take a knee last week though, and there is no quarterback listed on Southern Miss’ depth chart this week.

The Golden Eagles have one of the worst defenses in college football. They are allowing 4.6 YPC and 8.7 YPA. Southern Miss also ranks dead last in turnovers per game, so don’t expect them to win on Friday night.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 3-7
• ATS: 4-6
• O/U: 7-3
• ATS - Home: 2-3
• ATS - Away: 2-3

We don’t know who will be under center for Louisiana Tech this week. No. 1 quarterback Austin Kendall has missed the last two weeks with a lower back injury, and back-up J.D. Head missed last week’s win over Charlotte with a shoulder injury. Aaron Allen was solid in place of those two last week, throwing for 324 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. All three quarterbacks have played well, so the Bulldogs will be in good shape no matter who is under center.

Smoke Harris is the leading receiver for Louisiana Tech. Harris isn’t much of a big play threat (10.6 YPR), but he is a reliable underneath receiver. Tre Harris and Bub Means are the big play threats on the team.

Louisiana Tech does not have a great ground game. The Bulldogs are averaging just 3.3 YPC and 110.4 YPG. They rank in the bottom 20 nationally in both categories, but Marcus Williams Jr. ran well last week. Williams had 131 yards and four touchdowns against Charlotte.

The Bulldogs don’t have a great defense. They have struggled to stop the run, allowing 4.7 YPC and 170.0 YPG on the ground. Their pass defense is a little better (7.6 YPA), but this team doesn’t have a lot of havoc plays.

Louisiana Tech has won 12 of its last 15 home games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Southern Miss Golden Eagles

• Record: 1-9
• VI Ranking: 128
• Points Scored: 140
• Points Allowed: 299
• PS/G: 14 (129th)
• PA/G: 29.9 (91st)

Inside the Stats - Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

• Record: 3-7
• VI Ranking: 117
• Points Scored: 286
• Points Allowed: 338
• PS/G: 28.6 (64th)
• PA/G: 22.8 (112th)

Key Players to Watch

• USM: Frank Gore, Jr. - RB (162 carries, 731 yards, 2 TD)
• USM: Jason Brownlee - WR (36 catches, 478 yards, 4 TD)
• LT: Austin Kendall - QB (148/245, 1,874 yards, 13 TD, 9 INT)
• LT: Marcus Williams, Jr. - RB (158 carries, 679 yards, 8 TD)

Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Betting Conclusion

This will be Louisiana Tech’s last home game of the season. The Bulldogs won’t be going to a bowl, so Holtz may want to give the fans something to remember in a big way.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Betting Trends

• Louisiana Tech has gone OVER the point total in 10 of its last 14 games.
• Louisiana Tech has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.
• Southern Miss has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last 10 games.
• Southern Miss has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five road games.

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