Jan. 9, 2008

RUSTON, La. - In Louisiana Tech football coach Derek Dooley's first season at the helm, the Bulldogs saw improvement across the board. ESPN The Magazine's Bruce Feldman expects to see more of the same in 2008.

In a column published on espn.com Tuesday, Feldman projects the Bulldogs as the No. 6 team to improve the most from the 2007 season to 2008 after upgrading the talent pool within the program. Tech improved its conference record by three games in 2007 and all but one loss came to teams that played in bowl games. Feldman predicted Notre Dame to be the most improved. Other teams included in his Top 10 were: Ole Miss, Washington, Miami and Nebraska.

The Bulldog coaching staff begins preparing for the 2008 season with National Signing Day on February 6. Then after spring practice and fall camp, Tech takes on Liberty Bowl champions the Mississippi State Bulldogs to open the season August 30 at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston.