Texas State- (25) Texas Tech
Time: 7 PM EST, Sept 21
Spread: TT -16.5
O/U: 30.5
Odds courtesy of 5dimes
The 25th ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders have yet to be tested, and if college football oddsmakers at 5dimes are correct, they won’t be this week either. Tech has outscored its opponents through the first three weeks 122-46, and this week the Red Raiders find themselves 16.5 point favorites at home against Texas State.
Last week, the team broke into the rankings by beating then-No. 24 TCU, 20-10. The win was impressive considering that TCU out-drove Tech 401-336, but the Red Raiders defense repeatedly came through on third downs, limiting TCU to just 4-of-16 on conversions.
Tech ranks 5th in the nation in passing yardage and Baker Mayfield already has almost 1,000 yards, to go with a 65.4 percent completion ratio. The 6’2″ freshman has also rushed for an additional 92 yards and promises to be a fixture in the Tech program. The team will need to generate more backfield production, but appears primed to stomp Texas State this week.
Texas State is sure to come geared up for this matchup though. It is their only tough challenge of the season; their only ranked opponent. The team sits at 2-0 after wins over Southern Miss and Prairie View A&M, so it’s tough to gauge how they will react to premier competition. Further, deducing whether the team is really a monster defensively (unlikely) given their 9 points allowed per game is equally as difficult since Prairie View A&M likely would lose to tough JV high school teams.
Tyler Arndt has been accurate at QB (67.5 percent) and Chris Nutall has been a beast in the backfield (9.4 yards per carry, 169 yards), but what can they do against a tough Texas Tech defense?
TEX ST
4-0 ATS in last 4 following ATS loss; UNDER 8-1 in last 9 road; UNDER 6-1 in last 7 after acc. less than 170 yards passing previous game.
TEX TC
6-0 ATS in last 6 in Sept; OVER 4-0 in last 4 after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing previous game; OVER 10-1 in last 11 after allowing 200-plus rushing.
Check out our winning picks this season here at Maddux Sports!
