Jags Open 2018 Season With Louisiana Tech At Ladd-Peebles Stadium
Here we are at the dawn of a new season for the Jaguars and there have been lots of changes since last season wrapped up.
Gone is the Jaguars first head football coach Joey Jones and his staff. In is new head coach Steve Campbell and his staff.
But when the Jags take the field on Saturday, there will be lots of familiar names taking the field. But who will be the starter under center has yet to be announced, and probably won’t until just before kickoff. Coach Campbell has even said that all three quarterback may play in the season opener.
I wouldn’t read too much into this really, no coach wants to show their hand too early and an early upset could start the Jaguars season off in the right direction. Each quarterback presents a very different challenge for defenses in preparation.
Louisiana Tech is a 10.5 point favorite in the game depending on where you look for your betting line. Last season the Jags went into the fourth quarter trailing by one point but the Bulldogs scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to pull away. The Jags trailed 17-7 in the first quarter but the defense tightened up and only allowed 78 total yards over the next two quarters before the fourth quarter scores.
If you watched rival Troy’s offense over the last two seasons, you should have some idea what the Jaguar offense will be like under offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield. It’s going to be fast paced, no huddle style offense with read-option. The defense returns lots of experienced players from last season, including Jalen Thompson, who had to sit out the season due to academics.
Career rushing record holder Xavier Johnson is gone, actually he had been dismissed prior to the end of the season due to rules violations then injuries further depleated the backfield. Tra Minter, listed as the player honored by wearing the #5 jersey, is the lead tailback according to the depth chart released earlier this week.
The receiver position has experience and height, with Jamarius Way (6’4″), Jordan McCray (6’5″) and Kawaan Baker (6’1″) are the starters at X, Z and H receiver. With Collier Smith (6’2″) at tight end.
Gavin Patterson returns at placekicker and Corliss Waitman returns as the punter.
The Bulldogs themselves return eight offensive starters and seven defensive. They have an experienced offensive line returning but no one knows what they have at running back yet. For the first time in several seasons they have a returning signal caller.
USA has a young offensive line to protect whomever lines up to take the snap against an experienced defensive line. But their short linebackers and the Jags height at receiver may lead to the USA offense to exploit that with some slants behind them especially if they can also get the running game going.
The Bulldogs have never lost to a Sun Belt opponent while the Jags looks to start the Campbell tenure with an upset win. The Jags may have some surprises up their sleeve.
I don’t think that Tech is 10.5 points better that USA, but the Jags have also not played their best at home but have thrived in hostile environments away from home. Plus with the city voting against helping to fund South Alabama’s stadium, will that affect the crowd along with the scheduling conflict with the University of Alabama kicking off against Louisville one hour into the Jags game. This, however, is a very winnable home game. Go Jags!