The North Texas Mean Green and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs meet Saturday in MLB action from Joe Aillet Stadium. North Texas is coming off a matchup versus FIU this past weekend. In that one the Mean Green lost by a touchdown. As for Louisiana Tech, they played Northwestern State in their last game. The Bulldogs would go on to win in a blowout. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

North Texas Mean Green 

The Mean Green kicked off their 2023 season versus California and had a tough time. North Texas gave up double-digit points in each quarter during a 58-21 loss. QB Stone Earle had 174 yards with three scores and two interceptions. Jay Maclin led the receivers with 122 yards and two scores off four catches, and Isaiah Johnson had 34 rush yards. 

In the FIU game last weekend, North Texas blew a 20-17 halftime lead by giving up 21 points in the third quarter. The Green ended up losing 46-39. Chandler Rogers threw for 201 yards with two scores, and Earle led the rush with 67 yards. Damon Ward was tops in receiving with 85 yards and a TD off four catches. 

North Texas Mean Green Team Facts

North Texas has lost each of its last 10 September games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
North Texas has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against opponents from the Conference USA.
North Texas has lost the first half in each of its last four games against opponents from the Conference USA at Joe Aillet Stadium.
North Texas has won the first quarter in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
Each of North Texas’ last six games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Lousiana Tech Bulldogs 

Over on the Louisiana Tech side, they’ve got three games in the bag so far. The first was a 22-17 victory over FIU back on August 26, then came a 38-14 loss to SMU in game two. The Bulldogs’ Hank Bachmeier posted 241 yards with a TD and a pick in the loss, and Charvis Thornton led a weak rush on 24 yards. Koby Duru added three catches for 55 yards and a score. 

Matched up against Northwestern State, Louisiana Tech had a 31-14 advantage by the break and rolled to a 51-21 victory. Bachmeier had just 110 pass yards and a score, but the rush came around with 188 yards and two touchdowns off 13 carries from Keith Willis. Kyle Maxwell topped the receivers with a lone 42-yard catch. 

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Team Facts

Louisiana Tech has won each of its last 15 September games as a favorite.
The home team has covered the spread in 11 of Louisiana Tech’s last 12 games.
Louisiana Tech has won the first half in six of its last seven home games against non-conference opponents.
Louisiana Tech has won the first quarter in eight of its last nine games against non-conference opponents at Joe Aillet Stadium.
Each of Louisiana Tech’s last six home games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Louisiana Tech was one of only six FBS teams to lose 4+ games when leading after Q1 last season.
Louisiana Tech ranked 25th among FBS teams for Q1 win percentage last season (.583).
North Texas was one of only six FBS teams to lose 4+ games when leading after Q1 last season.
North Texas ranked 10th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game last season (12.0).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably take a stab on Louisiana Tech. Also probably not touching this one, though. The Bulldogs had a rough opener against a tricky SMU team, posting just 269 yards (28 rushing) total and 11 first downs. Louisiana Tech gave up 457 yards (209 rushing) on the other side and came up with zero turnovers in a tough outing for the defense. Last weekend versus Northwestern State, Louisiana Tech was pretty dominant with 478 total yards (367 rushing), 22 first downs and 8.0 yards per play. The Bulldogs went just 3-of-11 on third downs and had eight penalties with two turnovers however, so it wasn’t perfect. Still, with a more well-rounded mistake-free attack here LA Tech should be okay cover-wise.