The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Tuesday in the Independence Bowl. The game kicks off at 2:00 p.m. ET in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The Bulldogs are listed as 10-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at O/U 49.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for the Independence Bowl.
Coastal Carolina Preview
The Chanticleers were once one of the top Group of Five programs in the nation. Under Jamey Chadwell, this team was winning at least nine games every season and collecting Sun Belt titles. However, after a solid first season in charge, the last two years were massive disappointments under his successor, Tim Beck. After a second straight 6-6 season, Coastal Carolina decided to fire Beck, who will be the offensive coordinator at South Florida next season. The Chanticleers are bringing in former Missouri State head coach Ryan Beard to run the program now, but it will be defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson serving as the interim for this bowl game. Between injuries and transfers, this team will be missing some key players, including starting left tackle Nick Del Grande.
Louisiana Tech Preview
In his fourth season in charge of the program, Sonny Cumbie had his best season with Louisiana Tech. While they took a couple of bad losses, the Bulldogs finally showed the explosiveness that was the norm in a Sonny Cumbie offense. There was major concern when quarterback Blake Baker got injured in Week 11, possibly derailing the Bulldogs’ bowl chance. However, after trying out a couple of different quarterbacks, Cumbie landed on junior Trey Kukuk to close out the season. While Kukuk was just decent at throwing the football, he was sensational on the ground. He led the Bulldogs to two wins in his two starts to close out the regular season and become bowl eligible.
Coastal Carolina at Louisiana Tech pick, best bet
My best bet for this game is the Louisiana Tech team total over 29.5 points. In the two starts under Trey Kukuk, the Bulldogs scored 34 points and 42 points. That was also with Kukuk being thrust into an offense that was not designed for him. Sonny Cumbie and his staff have now had a month to come up with the best possible offensive scheme to fit Kukuk’s skillset. That skillset is largely on the ground. He combined for over 300 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in his two starts to close the regular season. He should gash a Coastal Carolina defense that ranks 109th in the nation in defensive EPA/rush. There are major question marks around whether Coastal Carolina quarterback Samari Collier will play. If he sits, this Coastal Carolina offense can’t be trusted at all. That makes this the safe play, rather than the full game over. Kukuk is a proven commodity and should rack up at least 30 points against a shaky Coastal Carolina defense.
