Louisiana Tech, Utah State, Appear Ready For Redemption

[HogDawg]

Can you believe this story was on the front page of the Idaho Statesman?

HD

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/0...ready-for.html

[HogDawg]

Utah State and Louisiana Tech each lost four games by eight points or fewer last season - including three each by four points or fewer.
So it's no surprise that they're generating the most buzz as contenders to become the WAC's latest turnaround bowl team.
At least one team each of the last five years - Idaho (2009), Louisiana Tech (2008), Fresno State (2007), Hawaii (2006), San Jose State (2006) and Nevada (2005) - has earned a bowl berth in the WAC after posting a losing record in the previous regular season.
Utah State was voted No. 4 in the WAC preseason coaches' poll and No. 6 in the media poll. Louisiana Tech was picked No. 5 in the media poll and No. 7 in the coaches' poll. Both teams were 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the WAC last year.
Louisiana Tech lost five straight games late last season by a total of 23 points. Their opponents included bowl teams Boise State (10-point loss), LSU (eight), Fresno State (two) and Idaho (one). They also dropped a fittingly tight, 23-21 decision at Utah State.
"It's hard to sleep at night because that's the difference between 4-8 and 7-5 and in a bowl," Louisiana Tech senior linebacker Tank Calais said. "We lost three games within five points total. That hurts. Who does that? Obviously we did, but man it hurts."
The Bulldogs return 16 starters, including eight on offense, and will add three Southeastern Conference transfers at offensive skill positions. They also have a new coach - former Arizona offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes. Dykes hired spread offense guru Tony Franklin as his offensive coordinator.
"La. Tech is always a team that is kind of that wild card," Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick said. "É They're definitely a team with a lot of speed, a lot of great athletes."
Utah State returns 18 starters, including dynamic quarterback Diondre Borel. The Aggies had close calls last year against Texas A&M (eight points), New Mexico State (three), Nevada (three) and Fresno State (four).
Their defense was a significant problem. They allowed a combined 101 points in splitting their final two games of 2009 - against Boise State and Idaho. They allowed at least 30 points nine times.
"We were not good on defense," second-year coach Gary Andersen said. "I put that 100 percent on me. That's my background."
Andersen, the former Utah defensive coordinator, will coach defensive tackles this season. That gives the Aggies five coaches on each side of the ball.
"That really makes a statement," All-WAC linebacker Bobby Wagner said. "That really shows us how important defense is to him and how much he's willing to do to get the defense going on the right track."
Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, whose team put up 52 points in Logan last year, considers the Aggies a team on the rise.
"They have a lot of young guys that can get things rolling," he said. "That's a program that could be rolling pretty soon."
Aside from the close losses and talent, Louisiana Tech and Utah State share another trait that feeds outsiders' expectations - both schools are investing in their football programs.
"It reminds me a little bit of going to Texas Tech in 2000," Dykes said. "Texas Tech always thought of itself as a regional type of university and all of a sudden they wanted to do better. I feel like it's the same thing going on at Louisiana Tech. They're building stuff all over campus. É That's an exciting thing to be a part of - going some place that's really committed to being successful.''

Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/0...#ixzz0vbvoAEiz

[champion110]

Gotta love Dyke's statement:

"It reminds me a little bit of going to Texas Tech in 2000," Dykes said. "Texas Tech always thought of itself as a regional type of university and all of a sudden they wanted to do better. I feel like it's the same thing going on at Louisiana Tech. They're building stuff all over campus. É That's an exciting thing to be a part of - going some place that's really committed to being successful.''