The Florida International University Panthers (3-4, 1-2 CUSA) welcome the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs (2-5, 1-2 CUSA) at Riccardo Silva Stadium on Friday. The Bulldogs are 6.5-point favorites, and the total is 57.
Louisiana Tech is coming off a close 42-41 loss to Rice at Joe Aillet Stadium on Saturday. Matthew Downing threw for 159 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Marquis Crosby ran 14 times for 87 yards. Tre Harris caught eight passes for 92 yards and three touchdowns.
FIU beat Charlotte 34-15 at Jerry Richardson Stadium on Saturday. Grayson James was 26 of 34 for 306 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Lexington Joseph carried 17 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Tyrese Chambers hauled in 10 receptions for 143 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since September 2019, a 43-31 win for the Bulldogs.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Bulldogs are averaging 31.3 points per game for the season, 58th in FBS, and they are facing a Panthers defense that has surrendered 33.7 PPG (117th). Meanwhile, FIU has scored 18.1 points a game this season, 120th in the nation, and Louisiana Tech is allowing 39.3 PPG (130th).
The Bulldogs rank as one of the nation’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (101.3, 120th), while they are 23rd in passing yards (290.4). The Panthers are 109th in passing yards allowed per game (268.4) and 89th against the run (160.6).FIU has been one of the nation’s least successful rushing teams, averaging 111.3 yards per game (112th), while ranking 76th in passing yards (230.7).
Louisiana Tech’s defense has been most vulnerable on the ground, as the Bulldogs are worst in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (265.3). Against the pass, the Bulldogs are 65th (225.0).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through seven games, Parker McNeil has thrown for 15 touchdowns (7 INT) and 231.9 yards per game to lead Louisiana Tech in passing. In four away games this season, he has seven TDs (6 INT) and an average of 282.0 yards passing. Marquis Crosby leads the team in rushing with an average of 65.1 yards a game over seven games.
He has three touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Tre Harris is the Bulldogs’ leading receiver with 85.3 yards a game and seven TDs. Grayson James has eight passing touchdowns (6 INT) with 199.9 yards per game through seven games to lead FIU. In three home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs (3 INT) and an average of 212.3 yards.
Lexington Joseph has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 51.9 yards a game through seven games. He has five total touchdowns, three rushing and two receiving. Tyrese Chambers has been the primary target in the Panthers’ aerial attack. He has three touchdowns and a 67.5 yard per game average through six appearances.
HOME AND AWAY
Louisiana Tech is looking for a first road victory this season in four games.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Louisiana Tech (-250)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our college football hub page for all your college football needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
