Louisiana Tech football is currently featured on the schedules of both the Sun Belt and Conference USA, as the Bulldogs navigate a challenging exit from Conference USA. This situation has become increasingly contentious as the departure process drags on.
Last July, Louisiana Tech accepted an invitation to join the Sun Belt, a decision influenced by the potential rivalry with in-state teams such as Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe. The new schedule, which was released on Friday, outlines matchups against other regional programs, including Southern Miss and South Alabama.
However, Conference USA has also published its full schedule, which includes games for Louisiana Tech against teams like Middle Tennessee, Florida International, Missouri State, Liberty, Kennesaw State, and Jacksonville State.
When Louisiana Tech announced its move to the Sun Belt, the school indicated that the transition would take place by July 1, 2027, but it preferred to make the switch for the 2026-27 academic year. Since that announcement, negotiations for a financial settlement between Tech and Conference USA have stalled, preventing a smooth exit.
Recently, the University of Louisiana System, which includes Louisiana Tech, filed a lawsuit seeking judicial intervention to enable the school to leave Conference USA at the end of the current academic year on June 30. The lawsuit asserts that despite Louisiana Tech“s consistent attempts to resolve the matter amicably over eight months, Conference USA has not engaged in any substantial discussions. Instead, they have retained Louisiana Tech on the 2026-27 schedule, ignoring the university”s repeated communications regarding its intention to withdraw from competition starting July 1, 2026.
Louisiana Tech has been a member of Conference USA since 2014, and this ongoing uncertainty has raised questions about its future in college football.
