Louisiana Tech went to Troy on Saturday with a chance to take one more step toward the Sun Belt West Division championship. The Bulldogs arrived at 6-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play, while Troy was 4-4 and 2-2 ahead of a 3 p.m. kickoff at Veterans Memorial Stadium on +.
That is why Tech Vs Troy was drawing attention: Louisiana Tech was the Sun Belt’s lone unbeaten team in conference play and held a two-game lead in the West Division standings. A win would not clinch the title outright, but it would put the Bulldogs in position to do so with one victory in their final three regular-season games. At that point, their path would narrow to simple math. Win here, and they would need just one more result to finish the race.
The Bulldogs also brought form into the matchup. They had won five straight and nine of their last 11 dating back to last season, and last Saturday’s 35-20 victory at South Alabama secured bowl eligibility for the second straight season. That same game extended their winning streak to five for the first time since 2019, and it showed how efficient they have been near the goal line. Louisiana Tech scored five touchdowns in five red-zone chances and has held opponents scoreless in 10 of the past 12 quarters during the streak.
Blake Baker was a key part of that recent surge, helping lead the offense against South Alabama while showing both his passing ability and toughness as a runner. For Louisiana Tech, that mattered because this trip asked the offense to carry the same control into a road setting where Troy has already been difficult to shake. Troy came in 3-1 at home, and it had just stunned James Madison in overtime after forcing five turnovers in its most recent game.
That is the part Louisiana Tech could not ignore. Sonny Cumbie said the challenge would be the toughest conference test his team had faced so far, pointing to Troy’s aggressive defense, athleticism and disruptive pass rush. He also said the Bulldogs have built up some battle scars and calluses through their recent stretch, a reflection of how they have handled close games and steady pressure. They now needed that resilience again, because a road win would not just preserve an unbeaten conference run. It would keep the Bulldogs on track for a division title and move them within one more step of the finish line.
