OFFENSE

Eventually it makes sense that Louisiana Tech’s offense will evolve into the pass-first, pass-often and pass-last scheme that Sonny Dykes was part of at Kentucky, Texas Tech and Arizona.

In fact, the Bulldogs seemed to move that way in their spring game. But as long as tailback Lennon Creer is around, Louisiana Tech has good reason to keep the ball on the ground. Creer, a transfer from Tennessee, enters his final season as one of the WAC’s top home run threats after a 1,181-yard, 10-touchdown season. He also has shown a penchant for catching the ball out of the backfield, which should complement a veteran pass-catching corps headlined by the most productive receivers in 2010 — Taulib Ikharo (50 receptions) and Richie Casey (42).

The quarterback job appears to be in good hands with junior Colby Cameron, a part-time starter a year ago who passed for 275 yards and five TDs in the spring game.

“He is certainly our No. 1 coming out of spring training. He is definitely the guy now,” Dykes says. “Colby will have to continue to hold everyone off. … The great thing is competition makes everyone better.”

That will be put to a test on the line, where only two starters return. Dykes and his staff signed five linemen, including three from the junior college ranks to address that concern.

Tech generated 389.8 yards and 26.8 points per game last season, and it will be intriguing to watch those numbers change as Dykes and spread guru Tony Franklin tinker with a new wave of talent.
 

DEFENSE

As promising as Dykes’ first season was when Tech had the ball, it was equally as troublesome when the Bulldogs were trying to stop opponents. Correcting that is a huge key to Year 2. Tech surrendered 30.7 points per game and allowed 500 yards or more seven times. Four starters and several other regulars are back from that defense, which equates to experience. But can this crew get better?

The three top tacklers return in weak-side linebacker Jay Dudley (94), middle backer Adrien Cole (80) and safety Chad Boyd (80). Boyd and end Matt Broha are the cornerstones. Broha notched 14 tackles for a loss and nine sacks among his 44 stops, and Boyd picked off four passes and recovered a fumble.

If Broha can help ramp up Tech’s pass rush, Dudley and Cole can bolster the run defense, and Boyd gets some help in the secondary against the pass-happy schemes in the WAC, the Bulldogs’ defense should improve. If things get worse on that side of the ball, the Tech offense may not be able to generate enough thunder to keep the Bulldogs competitive.
 

SPECIALISTS

Tech is in good shape with kicker Matt Nelson and punter Ryan Allen back in the fold. Nelson connected on 14-of-18 field goals and can be a weapon when the Bulldogs have to settle for three. Allen averaged 40.8 yards per punt and killed 21 inside the 20. Phillip Livas was one of the most dangerous return specialists in the nation. He will be difficult to replace; Casey and Ryan Williams will have big shoes to fill.

FINAL ANALYSIS

The offense will take a step forward, with Creer and Cameron poised for breakout seasons. That may keep the Bulldogs competitive, but a suspect defense — unless there’s a major turnaround — will keep Lousiana Tech from crashing through and being a factor, even in a new-look, Boise State-free WAC.