Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0) 1-0 ATS, 1-0 O/U at No. 2 Texas Longhorns (2-0) 0-1 ATS, 0-1 O/U Saturday September 19, 2009 7:00 p.m. EST DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas, TV: ABC
By Wilson of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Texas Tech +17.5/Texas -17.5
Over/Under: 67
No. 2 Texas Longhorns got off to a slow start last week against Wyoming as they only managed to put up 13 points in the first half. The Longhorns were actually behind in this game 10-6 before Colt McCoy connected with James Kirkendoll to make it a 13-10 Texas lead at the half.
The Longhorns are as solid as they usually are and they quickly proved why they are the No. 2 team in the nation during the second half of the Wyoming game as they went off for 28 unanswered second half points. McCoy finished the game with 337 yards, three touchdowns, and 30 of 47 passing.
Texas did not do too much on the ground as far as racking up a ton of yardage but they did do some damage through the air. The Longhorns put up 353 yards in the air with James Kirkendoll pulling in 7 balls for 102 yards, 1 TD and his long ball of the night was a 47 yard reception. Texas wasnt dead on the rush as they did gain a total of 191 yards on the ground with both running backs Newton and McGee each earning 61 and 62 yards rushing. Texas racked up 27 first downs to Wyomings 18.
Texas has also won 15 straight non-conference games which is good for a tie at their school. If you think the Longhorns are a great football team, well, youre right! Longhorn coach Mack Brown said that his team has so much fun last year because nobody expected them to be so successful, and this year the bar has been raised and he feels like his guys are not enjoying the game as much. This philosophy may be true and potentially hurt the team if they carry too much pressure on themselves.
The Longhorns are averaging 50 points per game while allowing just 15 to their opponents. If Im Texas Tech, Im a bit concerned about how to get the ball in the endzone.
However, Texas Tech is no softy in this game as they come into the Longhorns house well prepared and confident after their first two blowouts against Rice 55-10 and North Dakota 38-13. The Red Raiders are putting up nearly 47 points per game while allowing just 11.5 points to their competition. Tech likes to chuck the ball down the field as they are averaging 456.5 yards pergame through the air. I understand the season is young and most teams are playing laughers but even then they still must execute and play defense which Tech has shown they can do.
Tech QB, Taylor Potts, was a highlight reel last weekend in the game versus Rice University as he tossed 7 touchdowns for 456 yards and zero turnovers. Both Tech receivers Lyle Leong and Tramain Swindall had over 100 yards receiving and five touchdowns between them.
The over is 8-3 in Texas in the last 11 conference games. Texas is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games. Both QBs, McCoy and Potts are almost dead even on paper but Potts has a couple more TDs under his belt.
The Red Raiders beat Texas last year 39-33 and they also covered the 3.5 points while the O/U was 71, which will make for an interesting game this week with Texas looking to get revenge from a year ago. Before last seasons win by Tech the Longhorns had won five in a row.
Wilsons Pick: Texas 31, Texas Tech 27. The Raiders cover the spread and keep it surprisingly close. Luck to ya.
