Army Black Knights vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Picks and Predictions December 28th 2024

No. 22 Army Faces Unexpected Foe La. Tech in Independence Bowl

No. 22 Army (11-2) will face a surprise opponent, Louisiana Tech (5-7), in the Independence Bowl on Saturday in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Bulldogs stepped in as a replacement for Marshall, which withdrew due to a large player exodus via the transfer portal.

Louisiana Tech’s Unexpected Opportunity

The Bulldogs weren’t initially slated for a postseason appearance, but the proximity of Shreveport to their Ruston campus made them a natural substitute. Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie, known for his own bowl-game heroics as a quarterback in the 2004 Holiday Bowl, quickly rallied his team after the unexpected invitation.

“The first guys we got on the phone with were the seniors,” Cumbie said. “They thought it was like a prank call. They thought we were jacking with them.”

Louisiana Tech faces significant challenges, including the loss of 16 players to the transfer portal. Notable departures include defensive lineman David Blay, the team leader in sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (10.5), who committed to Miami. The Bulldogs will lean on quarterback Evan Bullock, who has thrown for 1,932 yards, 14 touchdowns, and only two interceptions this season.

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Army Seeks a Historic Finish

Army enters the Independence Bowl aiming to rebound from a disappointing 31-13 loss to Navy, which cost the Black Knights the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. A victory against Louisiana Tech would give Army 12 wins, the most in program history.

Quarterback Bryson Daily, who finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting, is the centerpiece of Army’s triple-option offense. Daily has rushed for 1,532 yards and 29 touchdowns while throwing for nine scores. However, he is looking to bounce back from a three-interception performance against Navy.

Army will be without running back Kanye Udoh, its second-leading rusher with 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns. Udoh announced his transfer to Arizona State shortly after the Navy game, prompting Army coach Jeff Monken to criticize the timing of the transfer portal window.

“I don’t think it’s healthy to have a transfer portal window open during the season,” Monken said.

What’s at Stake

For Army, the Independence Bowl offers a chance to cap an already strong season with a historic 12th win. For Louisiana Tech, it’s an opportunity to showcase resilience and end a three-year bowl drought on a high note.

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This marks Army’s second appearance in the Independence Bowl, with its first ending in a 32-29 loss to Auburn in 1996. Louisiana Tech, meanwhile, is making its sixth appearance, holding a 3-2 record in the bowl.

The Black Knights have won both previous meetings between the teams, defeating Louisiana Tech in 2008 and 2013. However, with the Bulldogs bringing local flair and a motivated roster, Saturday’s matchup promises to be an intriguing clash.