For Louisiana Tech and Navy, the storyline of this season has been similar.
Both programs were expected to be in rebuilding mode after losing large, talented senior classes. The Bulldogs had seven members of last year's team, which went 9-4 and won the New Orleans Bowl, in NFL training camps. The Midshipmen graduated 32 seniors, including record-setting quarterback Keenan Reynolds and dominant nose guard Bernie Sarra. Reynolds (Ravens) and fullback Chris Swain (New York Jets) are on NFL practice squads.
The Bulldogs and Mids vastly exceeded expectations by reaching conference championship games.