We have Big 12 football on display Saturday when one of the oldest rivalries in college football between the No. 22nd ranked Texas Longhorns and the 2-1 Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Texas took out UTSA 41-20 in their latest matchup, while Texas Tech was tripped up by No. 16 ranked NC State 27-14 last weekend. Who will win the coveted Battle for the Chancellor’s Spurs?
Find out in our free college football picks and predictions for this Week 4 showdown between Texas and Texas Tech on Saturday, September 25.
Texas vs Texas Tech best odds
Texas vs Texas Tech picks and predictions
These teams are loaded offensively and this total feels too low for this matchup. Both schools have proven that they can hang with the best teams in the country, and there isn’t a reason why two sides racking up north of 400 yards of total offense per contest won’t exceed the total.
Texas' starting quarterback Quinn Ewers was injured against Alabama, and sophomore QB Hudson Card has stepped in admirably, throwing for 343 yards with a TD with an additional 46 rushing yards. He also has talented wideouts with big-play capability in Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, and TE Ja’Tavion Sanders to throw to.
Junior running back Bijan Robinson is the straw that stirs the Longhorns' drink. Robinson has scampered for 311 yards with five TDs, alongside 132 receiving yards and a trip to the end zone. Roschon Johnson puts in work, but Robinson is their guy and he has a good offensive line to run behind.
The Longhorns will be facing a defense that they can beat on the ground, and Robinson should have a field day against a Texas Tech unit that hasn't seen the likes of the expected first round pick. That should open up the passing game, and Card and company will showcase their skills against a defense that is currently allowing 211 yards per contest.
Texas Tech has a solid offense led by sophomore QB Donovan Smith. The Red Raiders signal-caller can really sling the football, throwing for 785 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022, with an additional pair of rushing scores.
Smith has moments of greatness, followed by the typical sophomore yips, but he has a great matchup against a Longhorns defense that is currently allowing 216 passing yards per game.
The Red Raiders don’t run much, but when they do, Tahj Brooks gets the majority of the reps and is averaging 7.2 yards per carry in 2022. SaRodorik Thompson will also get some touches and has a receiving TD out of the backfield this year.
I expect Saturday's match to follow recent history as we pay witness to another high-scoring affair between these two schools.
My best bet: Over 59.5 (-115 at BetRivers)
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Texas vs Texas Tech betting preview
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•Spread analysis •Over/Under analysis •Trend to know •Game info •Injuries •Weather
Spread analysis
The Longhorns are 6.5-point away favorites, and that’s likely the way this game will end as Texas does have the better defense and will probably outscore the Red Raiders in a shootout.
Robinson and Worthy have been terrific, and the work they’ll put on the field will lift the burden off their sophomore QB making his first career away start.
Additionally, the Longhorns are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 meetings and 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings when they're the road team against Texas Tech.
Over/Under analysis
The total was always going to be my best bet, but I also debated playing Under 30.5 in the first half.
We have two sophomore quarterbacks in this contest, and we’ve seen the turnover issues from Smith, This is Card’s first away start, and he’ll be feeling those big-game jitters.
Neither side has scored more than 17 first-half points in either of their last two contests, and a slow start from either side does make that FH Under a real possibility.
Texas vs Texas Tech betting trend to know
The Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings between these two teams. Find more NCAA betting trends for Texas vs. Texas Tech.
Texas vs Texas Tech game info
• Location: Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX
• Date: Saturday, September 24, 2022
• Kick-off: 3:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
Texas vs Texas Tech key injuries
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Texas vs Texas Tech weather
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