Editor's note: The Texas Bowl has been cancelled due to COVID-19 issues with TCU
The final college football betting option of 2020 is a New Year's Eve matchup between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Texas Christian Horned Frogs at the Mercari Texas Bowl in Houston.
The Razorbacks will look to close out a disappointing season on a high note, but oddsmakers have them installed as 4.5-point underdogs against TCU with the Over/Under set at 57.
We break down the college football odds with our free picks and predictions for Arkansas vs. TCU at the Texas Bowl on Thursday, December 31, with kickoff at 8 p.m. ET.
Texas Bowl: Arkansas Razorbacks vs TCU Horned Frogs Betting Preview
Weather
The Texas Bowl will take place under the retractable roof at NRG Stadium in Houston, so despite the weather outside being frightful the game inside should be delightful. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key Injuries
Arkansas: Feleipe Franks QB (Probable), Grant Morgan LB (Questionable), Rakeem Boyd RB (Out), De'Vion Warren WR (Out), Jerry Jacobs DB (Out)
TCU: Austin Myers OT(Questionable), Blair Conwright WR (Questionable), Pop Wells TE (Out), Kee'yon Stewart CB (Out), Artayvious Lynn TE (Out), Noah Daniels CB (Out), Wes Harris G (Out)
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
The Under is 8-1 in the Razorbacks' last nine bowl games. Find more NCAA betting trends for Arkansas vs. TCU.
Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
Arkansas has an explosive offense led by quarterback Feleipe Franks, running back Trelon Smith and wide receiver Treylon Burks. Unfortunately, the Razorbacks' defense has been brutal, surrendering 451.7 yards and 34.9 points per game.
The Razorbacks finished their regular season with a 3-7 record and four consecutive losses. While getting hammered by Alabama and Florida is nothing to be ashamed about, they also gave up 50 points to a mediocre Missouri team.
Texas Christian had a much stronger end to their campaign, going 5-1 SU and ATS in their last six games, including a victory over Oklahoma State.
TCU has a solid offense led by dual-threat quarterback Max Duggan and a three-headed running back attack featuring freshman phenom Zach Evans, a five-star recruit who has rushed for at least 100 yards in two of his last three games.
The Horned Frogs' strong ground game should have little problem moving the ball against an Arkansas run defense that allows 192.1 rushing yards per game.
TCU also has a tough defense, holding opponents to just 318.5 yards per game over their last six contests. With the Horned Frogs 5-2 ATS in their last seven non-conference games and the Razorbacks 2-10-2 ATS in their previous 14 non-conference contests, take TCU on the spread.
PREDICTION: Texas Christian -4.5 (-110)
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Over/Under Pick
Despite racking up an impressive 240.3 passing yards per game, the Razorbacks rank outside the Top-100 schools in the country in third-down conversion rate and average a modest 25.7 points per game.
Meanwhile, the Horned Frogs have a terrific defense led by linebacker Garret Wallow and defensive backs Trevon Moehrig and Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, all of whom made the All-Big 12 first team.
The Horned Frogs allow 24.2 ppg and have reduced that number to just 20 ppg over their last six games.
Both of these teams also have a strong history of cashing Unders in bowl games with TCU 9-3-1 to the Under in their previous 13 bowl games and Arkansas going Under the total in eight of their previous nine bowls. Take the Under.
PREDICTION: Under 57 (-110)
Texas Bowl: Arkansas vs TCU Betting Card
- Texas Christian -4.5 (-110)
- Under 57 (-110)
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s Texas Bowl: Arkansas vs. TCU picks, you could win $26.45 on a $10 bet?
Use our NCAA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
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