Out go the Marshall Thundering Herd, and in come the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. After Marshall withdrew, the Independence Bowl called on 5-7 Louisiana Tech, just a short trip from Ruston, to step in and face the Army Black Knights.
With only two weeks to prepare, the Bulldogs have their work cut out for them—a challenge reflected in the betting line. Can they rise to the occasion and at least cover the spread? Our Louisiana Tech vs. Army prediction dives into everything you need to know, from the latest odds to what’s at stake as these two teams clash in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.
Louisiana Tech vs. Army Independence Bowl Betting Preview
All Louisiana Tech vs. Army odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. The CFN spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Army -13.5 - Spread
Army -14.5 - Moneyline
Army -600, Louisiana Tech +440 - Over/Under
44.5 points - Game Time
9:15 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 28 - Location
Independence Stadium | Shreveport, La. - Predicted Weather at Kick
TBD - How To Watch
ESPN
Don’t look now, but Louisiana Tech is 5-0 against the spread in its last five games. Army, meanwhile, is just 1-5 ATS in its past six.
MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator
Trends-wise, the under seems like the play for the total. It has cashed in four of the Bulldogs’ previous six games, and the Black Knights haven’t had back-to-back overs since the beginning of October.
Louisiana Tech’s Winning Probability
The Bulldogs have struggled mightily under Sonny Cumbie, with records of 3-9, 3-9, and 5-7 over the past three years. Despite that, they’ve managed to sneak into a bowl game for the first time since 2020. Unfortunately, the odds aren’t in their favor—FPM projects a lopsided loss, and I’m inclined to agree.
- at Army: 15.5%
Army’s Winning Probability
In their inaugural AAC season, the Black Knights made a statement. Army dominated the regular season with a 10-1 record, then rolled through Tulane with a commanding 35-14 win in the conference championship.
Yes, the standalone December loss to Navy stings, but an 11-2 campaign that earned them a No. 22 finish in the CFP rankings marks their best season since 2018.
- vs. Louisiana Tech: 84.5%
Prediction for Louisiana Tech vs. Army
Initially set to face Marshall, Army found themselves with a new opponent after the Thundering Herd lost over 25 players to the transfer portal. Enter Louisiana Tech, stepping in with a 5-7 record and one of the weakest offenses in the nation.
While playing just an hour from their Ruston campus gives Louisiana Tech a slight home-state edge, it likely won’t matter against an 11-2 Army squad built on discipline and precision. The Black Knights have had ample time to prepare their signature option attack, which has been the driving force behind a historic season.
Army’s campaign has been defined by physicality and execution. Their two losses—a 49-14 drubbing by playoff-bound Notre Dame and a 31-13 upset by Navy—stand out, but neither is indicative of a larger flaw. Navy, after all, is a nine-win team with a well-oiled offense—miles ahead of what Louisiana Tech brings to the table.
MORE: 2024 College Football Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker
Louisiana Tech’s season, by contrast, has been underwhelming, with just one win over an FBS opponent with a winning record. Combine that with significant losses through the transfer portal, and the Bulldogs feel like they’re stepping into a buzzsaw.
Even with Army failing to cover as double-digit favorites in their last two outings, this is a clear mismatch. Expect the Black Knights to roll and close out their season in style.
Prediction: Army 35, Louisiana Tech 13
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