Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-0 SU, 4-3 ATS) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-3 SU, 4-3-1 ATS)
College Football Week 9
Date/Time: Saturday, October 31st, 3:30pm
Where: Jones AT&T Stadium – Lubbock, Texas
TV: ESPN
by Bob, NCAA Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: OSU -3 / TTU +3
Over/Under Total: 79
This Halloween Saturday, we have a Big 12 game that many see being a high scoring, explosive shootout. The number twelve ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys will travel into Lubbock to take on the Red Raiders of Texas Tech. The first meeting between these two teams took place way back in 1935 with Texas Tech winning that game 14-0. The all time series is very even. Texas Tech leads Oklahoma State 21-18-3 but the Cowboys are on a six game winning streak dating back to 2009. This will be a fun game to watch, so I recommend tuning into ESPN at 3:30.
Oklahoma State comes in undefeated at 7-0 while Texas Tech is a mediocre 5-3 but the line is still set with Okie State as just a three point favorite on the road. The over under is also set at 79 total points, so that tells you the type game Vegas is planning on seeing. As of late Tuesday night, the action was heavy on Oklahoma State with them getting 62% of the documented action in Vegas. The total points are looking like the public is liking the over, which in these types of games, they usually do. In this series, Oklahoma State has covered seven of the last ten contests, however, just last season, Texas Tech went into Stillwater and even though they lost, they did cover the spread on the road. Can they repeat this at home?
As a huge college football fan, I am almost embarrassed to admit that I had no idea that Oklahoma State was so highly ranked until I sat down to research this game. I knew they were winning games, but for some reason, I thought they had lost one. Okay, now that I have totally discredited myself, here we go. Oklahoma State is 7-0 in 2015 overall and 4-0 in the Big 12. Now, back to meAfter looking at their schedule, I see why I had no idea they were ranked so high: They havent played ANYONE and I mean anyone. Wins over Central Michigan, Kansas, and Texas do not impress mealthough the Texas win is looking more impressive over the last few weeks. After this game with Texas Tech, things get real for the Cowboys when three of their next four games are against TCU, Baylor, and Oklahomanot easy. With that said, here we are and lets take nothing away from them, they are unbeaten and they have handled their business thus far; hats off to them, I have just seen this song and dance before with Oklahoma State, it is a lot like being a Georgia fanwhich I am. They look good, primed to make a title run, then there is a bone headed game that ends up ruining their season. Could this be the one? Well, if Oklahoma State hopes to get this road win and move to 8-0, they must play well on both sides of the ball, which they have done so far. They have the 12th best scoring offense while the defense is only allowing 18 points per game. Yes, those are good numbers, but this may be the best offense these guys have faced so far and it will not be as easy for the defense. But, again, that is the key: If Okie State can slow down the Red Raiders offense and keep them out of the end zone, I can see the Cowboys moving on to 5-0 in the Big 12 headed into their huge showdown with TCU in a couple of weeks. If not, its just another season of what could have been.
Regardless of their record, Texas Tech is dangerousthey just are. Yes, they are 5-3 but they have already played TCU, Baylor, and Oklahoma, which were their three losses. This Texas Tech team is much better than their record. Even in those losses, they competed against the nations top teams. They lost by just three to TCU and they hung with Baylor for most of the first three quarters of the game. The Oklahoma game was a bad one, but hey, it happens. Texas Tech enters this game against Oklahoma State as the 3rd best passing team in the nation, the 5th best scoring team, and they also average another 193 yards a game on the ground. How in the hell have they lost three games you ask? Defense. The Red Raiders defense is ranked 121st in the FBS allowing a miserable 40 points per game. This cannot continue if they have any hopes of winning this weekend whether they are home or not. And that is my key to victory: Play some damned defense! If Texas Tech can keep Oklahoma State at least in the upper 20s or low 30s, I think they can score enough not only to cover but to pull the upset and send the Cowboys home with their first loss of the season. If they let Okie State get in the 40s or 50s then bye bye Texas Tech.
Games like this to me are sucker bets. Oklahoma State is 7-0 and Texas Tech is 5-3 and it is only a three point spread. Of course us in the know realize how these things work. I think Vegas is begging for action on Oklahoma State, but then again, maybe they are begging for the action on Texas Tech. I am going to error on the side of they want the public to ride the favorite and I am going opposite. I like Texas Tech to hand Oklahoma State their first loss of the 2015 season.
Bobs Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TAKE THE TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS +3
Insert this game into a GIANT teaser at an online bookie that offers 19 point NFL teasers and 20 point college football teasers! —> 5Dimes
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