Conference USA strengths ready for collision

The best offense in Conference USA will match up against the best defense in Conference USA on Saturday at Joe Aillet Stadium. Something’s gotta give.

For Louisiana Tech (3-5, 2-3 CUSA), needing to win three of its last four games to make a bowl game, it can’t afford to be the one that gives in with must-win games from here on out to have a shot at the postseason. For Jacksonville State (5-3, 4-0 CUSA), tied for first in the league standings, stacking wins — now winners of five in a row — is the goal to contend for a CUSA title.

With a lot on the line, it’s only fitting the best units in the league will go head- to- head with JSU’s explosive offense lining up across from a Bulldog defense that hasn’t offered much to opponents this year.

JSU has the No. 1 scoring offense ( 38.6 points per game) in CUSA – ranking 11th nationally – and boasts the No. 1 total offense (269.6 yards per game) and No. 1 rushing offense (269.6 yards per game) in the league as well – both ranking top 15 nationally. In league play, the Gamecocks have averaged 379 rush-ing yards per contest.

“I think from a defensive standpoint, we’ll be challenged. This is the number one offense in our conference,” Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie said. “ They play with great tempo and unbelievable execution. It starts with their quarterback Tyler Huff. Tre Stewart, the running back, is a phenomenal player and Clay Webb their left guard is probably the best offensive lineman in our league. They play with great tempo and execute at a high level, so I think early downs are going to be critical for us from a defensive standpoint.”

Stewart has proven to be the best back in CUSA this year with a league- best 694 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Huff is second in CUSA in rushing with 515 yards and 6 scores.

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, hoped an offseason change at coordinator would turn the defensive unit around and there’s no doubt the move was an upgrade with Tech ranking No. 1 in CUSA in scoring defense (20 points per game), total defense (302 yards per game), and rushing defense ( 112 yards per game) – all ranking top 30 nationally.

Linebacker Kolbe Fields (57 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks) and Demarcus Griffin-Taylor (40 tackles, 4 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries) lead the defense for the Bulldogs.

Rich Rodriguez, now in his third year as Jacksonville State’s head coach, praised the Bulldogs for shutting down opposing offenses and rallying to the football with intensity.

“Nobody has really moved the ball consistently on them all year, including North Carolina State. It’s going to be a challenge,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a different scheme than we’ve seen in the last couple weeks.”

Tech will need its defense to pick up where it left off last week when it held Sam Houston, who came in averaging over 190 rushing yards per game, to just 105 yards on the ground and 9 total points.

But if Tech’s defense does happen to show some weakness and truly crack for the first time this year, Cumbie knows the Bulldogs can’t roll out the same offensive product that’s come too often this year. Failures in execution hit a low point last week in Tech’s 9-3 loss to SHS, with the Bulldogs getting inside the Bearkats’ 10-yard line five times – only to come away with a field goal. The other four drives ended in two fumbles and two turnovers on downs. Over the last two games, Tech has 10 total points in the first half.

Cumbie tried, as he said, to give his team a spark by benching quarterback Evan Bullock for Jack Turner in the second half against SHS but the change didn’t help as Tech stalled out to end the game.

Bullock will start on Saturday against the Gamecocks after he went 16-of-25 for 148 yards and an interception — his first of the year – last week. Cumbie wants his young quarterback to see the field better and respond the right way to the brief benching.

Cumbie added that if Tech wants a chance to win, completing passes against the man coverage of JSU is a must.

“There are some things we’ll do from a game plan standpoint that’ll be a little new to him but otherwise the bread and butters and the things he’s been executing since he’s been here, we expect him to execute it at a high level,” Cumbie said. “In our crossover period against the defense continue to execute it and get the ball out quick and be accurate. Based off (Monday) night he had a good bounce in his step.”

Tech hosts Jacksonville State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Joe Aillet Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network.