by Malcolm Butler
Louisiana Tech doesn’t know details about its impending bowl berth.
What the Bulldogs — and their fans — do know is that they will be going bowling.
For the seconds straight season, the ninth time in the last 12 years, and the 13th time since the program joined the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in 1989, Louisiana Tech will be participating in a postseason bowl contest.
Tech (7-5) entered the final two regular season weeks with its postseason life on the line, but the Bulldogs recorded back-to-back victories, including a memorable come-from-behind win over Liberty on Senior Day at Joe Aillet Stadium.
Director of Athletics and VP Ryan Ivey said Monday that although the University and program does have a preference to stay regional in its destination, at the end of the day, it’s not in their control.
“I don’t think we have a lot of say,” said Ivey. “Obviously, we are trying to position ourselves in the best light possible. We have preferences in where we would like to go. We are obviously happy that we will be playing in one but we want to create a good experience for our players, our coaches, our fans … everyone involved.”
Ivey said there are a number of factors and entities that work in determining bowl placement, but that he is having conversations with the league office as well as others.
“A lot of it is determined with ESPN, TV, the bowl partners and obviously the conference office,” said Ivey. “Some of it has to do with match-ups. Some of it has to do with when you may have played in a certain bowl recently. A lot of times they don’t like to back-to-back with a bowl in certain situations.
“So, a lot of it is conversations going on with bowl partners, TV partners, institutions and (league offices).”
Conference USA has seven guaranteed bowl selections in 2025 and associations with 17 different bowls.
Although Conference USA has seven members who earned at least six wins this year, neither Delaware nor Missouri State are eligible for postseason due to NCAA rules on teams transitioning from the FCS to the FBS level. Both programs are asking for a waiver from the NCAA to allow them to play, although historically, the same requests have been turned down.
Some of the best possible bowls for Tech and its fan base include the New Orleans Bowl (New Orleans on Dec. 23), the Independence Bowl (Shreveport on Dec. 30), the Frisco Bowl (Frisco, Texas, on Dec. 23), 68 Ventures Bowl (Mobile, Alabama on Dec. 17), and the Armed Forces Bowl (Frisco, Texas on January 2).
“I think geography plays a big role in (determining matchups),” said Ivey. “Ultimately, we are all trying to sell tickets. I don’t think any of the bowls want empty stadiums. They want to create compelling matchups that is good for everyone.
“It’s an economic development driver for many of these communities that are hosting these bowls. So you want to make sure you have opportunities to sell tickets, to sell hotel rooms, to have a lot of fans go to the local restaurants. You want all of those things.”
Historically, Tech fans have traveled really well to regional bowls. Louisiana Tech played in the Independence Bowl in 2024, falling to Army. Tech’s four trips to Shreveport (1990, 2008, 2019, 2024) generated four of the largest crowds in Independence Bowl history.
Tech played in the New Orleans Bowl in 2015 and 2020.
Bowl’s will be announced on Sunday.
