The Wiz of Odds

Louisiana State

There is no shortage of talent at Louisiana State, but the Tigers will go only as far as the quarterbacking will carry them. Quarterbacking issues in 2014 resulted in a record of 8-5, including an embarrassing loss to Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl. LSU plays at Mississippi State in Week 2 and plays host to Auburn in Week 3. The college football world should get an early indication on how this season will play out for the Tigers.

Louisiana Tech

Louisiana Tech made significant strides in Skip Holtz's second season as coach. The Bulldogs were 4-8 in 2013 but finished 9-4 last season, which included a smashing bowl victory over Illinois. The team is projected to once again be in thick of the Conference USA West Division race. Louisiana Tech has road nonconference games at Kansas State and Mississippi State.

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North Texas

Dan McCarney had to make chicken salad out of chicken you-know-what when he arrived in Denton in 2011. North Texas had won only seven games in four seasons under the previous regime. It took McCarney, the former Iowa State coach, a couple of seasons to get the Mean Green moving, but he put together a nine-win campaign in 2013. The team slumped to four wins last fall and only nine starters return for this season, but McCarney is often his best as an underdog. Nonconference road games include trips to Iowa and Tennessee.

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Samford

Samford of Divison I-AA has a new coach in Chris Hatcher, replacing Pat Sullivan. The Bulldogs open against Central Arkansas on Sept. 3 and play at Louisville on Sept. 26.

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Marist

Division I-AA Marist was 4-7 in 2014. The Red Foxes open Sept. 5 against Bucknell.

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Presbyterian

Division I-AA Presbyterian of Clinton, S.C., is coming off a 6-5 season and will open at Miami (Ohio).

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