Louisiana Tech Bulldogs is 5-2 on the season, 6-1 against the spread, and holds a power rating of -2.7. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs is covering the spread at 70% since the start of last season (14-6), well above the FBS average. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs head to South Alabama next in Week 9.
In Week 8 of 2026 the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Power Rating of -2.7 is 2.7 points below the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have logged 949 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 3,595 miles, ranking 127th heaviest in the FBS.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Coaching Staff and Key Players
Head coachSonny Cumbie
Tenure4 seasons
Record at school19-31
Career record21-34 (4+ seasons)
Offensive coordinatorNathan Young
Defensive coordinatorLuke Olson
Offense
Blake Baker QB, Trey Kukuk QB, Eli Finley TE, Jay Wilkerson WR, Marcus Calwise Jr. WR, Talyn Shettron WR, Hayden Christman OL
Defense
Kolbe Fields LB, Jadon Mayfield LB, Alonzo Jackson Jr. LB, Zheric Hill LB, Kam Franklin S, Ahkhari Johnson CB
Special teams
Kaegan Kent K, Drew Henderson K, Reuben Edwards P
2025 Season in Review
Record8-5ATS8-5O/U5-8
Running totals after each week played. Cumulative, not per week.
After
Record
ATS
O/U
Week 1
1-0
1-0
0-1
Week 2
1-1
2-0
0-2
Week 3
2-1
3-0
1-2
Week 4
3-1
4-0
1-3
Week 5
4-1
5-0
1-4
Week 7
4-2
5-1
1-5
Week 9
4-3
5-2
2-5
Week 10
5-3
6-2
3-5
Week 11
5-4
6-3
3-6
Week 12
5-5
6-4
3-7
Week 13
6-5
7-4
4-7
Week 14
7-5
8-4
5-7
Postseason
8-5
8-5
5-8
A season record is a record, not a forecast. Blue Chip Analytics'
own research finds that beating the closing line repeats at close to zero from one season
to the next - see
most underrated and
overrated teams. Read the table as what happened, not as what is likely to happen next.
2026 Power Rating Trajectory
Opened -7.5 in the preseason and finished -2.7 after week 8, a move of +4.8 points. High -2.7 (week 8), low -8.4 (week 1).
PreW8
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs SP+ Profile
Offence+22.398 of 138higher is better
Defence+30.699 of 138lower is better
Special teams0.076 of 138higher is better
SP+ is an independent opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, one of the
systems blended into the Blue Chip Analytics power rating rather than a Blue Chip
Analytics number itself. Defensive SP+ measures points allowed, so a lower
figure is a better defence - the rank beside it already accounts for
that.
How Confident Is This Rating?
Sources blended5
Source spread±2.1 pts
HFA measured+5.0 pts
HFA applied+3.2 pts
Source spread is how far apart the independent rating systems are on this team, not a margin of error on our own number. A wide spread means the models disagree, which is itself worth knowing.
The measured home field advantage of +5.0 is regressed to +3.2 before it is applied, a difference of 1.8 points. A single venue's raw result carries a lot of noise, so the applied figure is pulled toward the league pattern. See how much is home field advantage really worth.
Record Against 2026 Opponents
Regular and postseason meetings, 2016–2025.
Over/under history begins in 2017 and 2020 was shortened by COVID, so game counts vary.
Louisiana Tech sits at 4-2 after six games, already matching last season's win total against a mix of FCS and Power Four competition. The Bulldogs opened with an 80-6 demolition of Northwestern State, then hung tough at LSU before falling 45-14, and dropped a 36-19 decision at Baylor. Since then, they've reeled off three straight wins, including a 31-29 thriller over Army and a 32-31 comeback against Louisiana. The schedule now shifts to Sun Belt play, where the Bulldogs are 1-0 after beating the Ragin' Cajuns. With Old Dominion (2-5) up next, Louisiana Tech has a chance to build momentum before the heart of conference play.
Baker and Kukuk form a dynamic QB duo
Blake Baker, returning from a torn ACL that cut short his 2025 season, has shown why he's the top passer, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Louisiana. But Trey Kukuk, a dual-threat junior-college transfer, has been a valuable change-of-pace option, rushing for 75 yards against Baylor and totaling 185 yards through the air against Army. The two-quarterback system has kept defenses off balance, and Baker's mobility appears to be improving. However, Baker's health remains a concern, and the offense must protect him better after allowing seven sacks at LSU.
Defense thrives on takeaways but secondary is vulnerable
The Bulldogs tied for second nationally with 22 interceptions last season, but most of those ball-hawking safeties departed. The rebuilt secondary has been torched by competent passing attacks: LSU's Sam Leavitt threw for 344 yards, Baylor's Nate Bennett completed 21 of 24 passes for 253 yards and three scores, and Louisiana's Lunch Winfield threw for 239 yards. Yet Louisiana Tech has survived thanks to timely turnovers, like Jordan McRae's 100-yard interception return against LSU. The pass defense remains the weak link, and opposing offenses will continue to test it. Linebacker Kolbe Fields, a sixth-year vet, anchors a deep unit that must generate pressure to mask coverage deficiencies.
Running game and kicking game are glaring weaknesses
Louisiana Tech lost its top three running backs from last season and entered 2026 with zero NCAA snaps at the position. The results have been mixed: Dylone Brooks broke out for 119 yards and a touchdown against Army, but the ground game was nonexistent against LSU and Baylor. The offensive line, which allowed the fewest sacks in Conference USA last season, has struggled against Power Four fronts. Additionally, the kicking game is a liability: Kaegan Kent has yet to make a field goal this season, missing attempts against LSU and Baylor. In close games, these deficiencies could prove costly, as the Bulldogs have been forced to chase touchdowns in the red zone.
Fourth-quarter magic and favorable schedule ahead
Louisiana Tech has developed a knack for late-game heroics, scoring 19 fourth-quarter points to erase a 31-24 deficit against Louisiana and 31 second-half points against Army. That resilience has fueled the current three-game winning streak. The schedule ahead is manageable: after Old Dominion, the Bulldogs face a mix of Sun Belt opponents, none of which are as talented as LSU or Baylor. With a 5-1 ATS record, Louisiana Tech has consistently exceeded expectations. If the defense can tighten up and the kicking game stabilizes, the Bulldogs could challenge for a Sun Belt title in their debut season. The pieces are there for a strong finish.
What is Louisiana Tech Bulldogs's against-the-spread record in 2026?
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs is 6-1 against the spread in the 2026 season, covering 86% of games.
What is Louisiana Tech Bulldogs's Blue Chip Analytics power rating?
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of -2.7, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
What is Louisiana Tech Bulldogs's home field advantage rating?
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs's home field advantage rating is 3.2 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
What is Louisiana Tech Bulldogs's 2026 win total?
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs's consensus regular-season win total for 2026 is 5.5 wins, priced at -160 over and +120 under. This is the betting market's expectation, not a Blue Chip Analytics projection.
How many miles does Louisiana Tech Bulldogs travel in 2026?
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs travels 3,595 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 127th heaviest in the FBS.
How does Blue Chip Analytics calculate cumulative travel distance?
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
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