Conference USA (2 bids)​

SAFELY IN: Dallas Baptist, Louisiana Tech

ON THE BUBBLE (IN): None

ON THE BUBBLE (OUT): Western Kentucky

No change from last week.



Louisiana Tech has joined DBU in the “safely in” category by winning eight of its last nine games since getting swept at Arizona, highlighted by a road series win at DBU. The Bulldogs are currently No. 42 in the RPI and 11-4 in conference, which feels like a sufficient combination for an at-large spot. They must win six of their final nine to remain in the top 45, and we think that is doable, even though it includes a series against first-place Western Kentucky — in Ruston. The Hilltoppers, meanwhile, are hanging on the outskirts of the race due to a No. 87 RPI, and the schedule ahead will not offer them a chance to get that RPI into at-large territory, despite the road set at La Tech. For what it’s worth, the DSR does not provide any relief for the Toppers, who rank No. 82 in that metric.

Login to view embedded media

Josh Ashley from North Alabama:

There is a website I recently found that you can simulate college football & basketball games on. I will post the link below so anyone that wants to can mess around with it. I decided to simulate the entire Louisiana Tech football regular season. Just a note this simulator is very inconsistent and when home field advantage is on it heavily favors the home team, and for some reason it has a lot of wacky upsets, such a South Dakota upsetting Georgia. But here are the scores it predicted for each Tech game this upcoming season.
(https://www.ncaagamesim.com/FB_GameSimulator.asp)

Week 1 - Nicholls 23 @ Louisiana Tech 20 (0-1)
Week 2 - Louisiana Tech 21 @ NC State 44 (0-2)
Week 3 - Tulsa 6 @ Louisiana Tech 31 (1-2)
Week 4 - Louisiana Tech 44 @ FIU 40 [5OT] (2-2)
Week 5 - MTSU 24 @ Louisiana Tech 43 (3-2)
Week 6 - Louisiana Tech 3 @ NMSU 13 (3-3)
Week 7 - UTEP 17 @ Louisiana Tech 23 (4-3)
Week 8 - Louisiana Tech 17 @ Sam Houston State 20 (4-4)
Week 9 - Jacksonville State 17 @ Louisiana Tech 24 [OT] (5-4)
Week 10 - Louisiana Tech 21 @ WKU 27 (5-5)
Week 11 - Louisiana Tech 13 @ Arkansas 23 (5-6)
Week 12 - Kennesaw State 7 @ Louisiana Tech 9 (6-6)

I'm looking over the rosters and have to ask the question!

What true impact players have Cumbie brought in to the program??

How many impact players have Cumbie lost to other programs?

Check it out:

Too 4 teams in the conference square-off this week:

Login to view embedded media
I’m starting to feel pretty good about Louisiana Tech’s at-large chances. The Bulldogs are red-hot right now, up to 31-13 overall and are up eight spots in the RPI overnight after shutting out Sam Houston at home. In addition to an improving RPI up to 46, the Bulldogs are now 9-4 in Conference USA, which leads the league and is a game ahead of DBU.

Forgot to get this up on Monday:

Login to view embedded media
The Bulldogs come in at 41% which ranks 121 out of 134 and dead last in Conference USA.

They rank 105 in offensive returning production and 125 in defensive returning production.

Our closest conference mates are UTEP and MTSU at 112/113 both with 45% returning production.

Kennesaw State ranks 7th nationally at 76% and first in C-USA. Jax State follows at 29 with 69%

I know some people are looking for places to stay when coming in town for Tech events. We just finished up an Airbnb in downtown that is now available to rent.

Its in the old check in room of Rogers Furniture (215 W Miss). Great location that is within walking distance to campus and all the downtown restaurants.

You can follow us on IG @elephantroomruston