By The Numbers -- Dec. 20

The Frisco Bowl sort of gets lost in the shuffle among the lower tier bowl games, but this year's contest could be interesting, for the sheer fact that the guys coaching in the game are named Sonny and Skip. Doesn't get much better than that.

SMU's Courtland Sutton (Dallas Morning News)

Sonny Dykes takes over at SMU for Chad Morris, who left for Arkansas, and he'll be coaching the bowl game -- odd, but if successful it could be the wave of the future for head coaches. Dykes was an offensive analyst -- whatever that is -- this season at TCU, and he knows a thing or two about putting points on the board. He also coached the Mustangs opponent, Louisiana Tech, from 2010-2012, which adds another wrinkle.

The Bulldogs are coached by Skip Holtz who, like Dykes, knows a bit about offense and has battled some good teams close this season -- most notably losing by one to South Carolina.

While the coaches take center stage, points will be a close second. Neither team plays much defense, so this one should be fun, if nothing else.

FRISCO BOWL
SMU (7-5) vs. Louisiana Tech (6-6)
THE SKINNY
Both teams love to pass, and since defense is only hearsay for these teams, it should mean a lot of big plays. SMU has a wonderful receiving tandem of Courtland Sutton (over 1,000 yards, 12 TDs) and Trey Quinn (106 catches, 12 TDs), so it should be pretty easy for QB Ben Hicks to put up huge yards through the air. La Tech isn't quite as potent, though Teddy Veal (69 catches, five TDs) could do big things against a Mustangs D that allows nearly nine yards per pass. Both teams can run it a little bit, so whichever defense can control things at the line of scrimmage will have a leg up. DE Jaylon Ferguson (six sacks) is a star for the Bulldogs. La Tech is 4-1 in its last five bowl appearances, while SMU -- which hasn't gone bowling since 2012 -- has won three of its last four. So both teams can do the bowl thing just a little bit. Dykes on the sidelines adds star power, but it could also be just a bit of a distraction since his hiring (Dec. 11) was so close to the bowl game. Don't be surprised if SMU sputters just a little bit, and don't be shocked if there are some quirky happenings -- maybe even a pick six or special teams return. SMU is one of just two teams in America -- Oklahoma State being the other -- with a 3,000 yards passer, 1,000 yard rusher (Xavier Jones) and two 1,000 yard receivers.
PREVIOUS RESULT
Inaugural game 
Line -- SMU -4; Pick -- Louisiana Tech 48, SMU 45

2017 BOWL RECORD
SU -- 2-4; ATS --2-4