La. Tech balances monetary benefits with football scheduling

[Harry]

RUSTON — When Louisiana Tech’s 2014 football schedule was officially released this month, the clamor could be heard across the I-20 corridor.

Broken up into two parts, the second half of Tech’s season is a complete 180 from the first part, which might as well be dubbed “murderers’ row.”

Tech opens the season against perennial Big 12 power Oklahoma, fresh off its thumping of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, then, weeks later, travels to Auburn, an equally dangerous team that nearly won the national championship in January. Sandwiched in between is a trip to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the Conference USA opener at North Texas.

The grueling start to the season even made its way into Manny Diaz’s press conference last week when he was introduced as defensive coordinator.

“The opportunity to start out playing against Oklahoma will be a great challenge to our guys, and playing Auburn at Auburn,” Diaz said. “That’s an offense that I’ve gone up against, and that will be great for our guys. As a competitor, that’s what you want to do. You want to challenge yourself in those hostile environments.”

Oh, and the Bulldogs do catch somewhat of a break when Northwestern State of the Football Championship Subdivision comes to Ruston in September, but that’s neither here nor there.

Read more: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20140220/SPORTS0203/302210001/Louisiana-Tech-balances-monetary-competitive-benefits-football-scheduling