The Texas Tech Red Raiders and BYU Cougars meet Saturday in week 8 college football action at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Preview
The Texas Tech Red Raiders look for their second road win to get back to a .500 record. Texas Tech has lost 6 of its last 8 road games. Tyler Shough is completing 60.4 percent of his passes for 746 yards, 7 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Myles Price and Jerand Bradley have combined for 602 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, while Xavier White has 19 receptions. The Texas Tech Red Raiders ground game is averaging 179.6 yards per contest, and Tahj Brooks leads the way with 786 yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, Texas Tech is allowing 25.1 points and 379.4 yards per game. Ben Roberts leads the Texas Tech Red Raiders with 56 tackles, Steve Linton has 3 sacks and Malik Dunlap has 3 interceptions.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Team Facts
- Texas Tech has lost six of its last nine games as a road favorite.
- Texas Tech has covered the spread in each of its last three October road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Each of Texas Tech’s last four October road games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
BYU Cougars Betting Preview
The BYU Cougars look to remain unbeaten at home to improve to 5-2 on the year. BYU has won 4 straight home games. Kedon Slovis is completing 56.8 percent of his passes for 1,392 yards, 10 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Chase Roberts and Isaac Rex have combined for 696 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Darius Lassiter has 19 receptions. The BYU Cougars ground game is averaging 67.7 yards per contest, and LJ Martin leads the way with 345 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, BYU is allowing 26 points and 398.2 yards per game. Max Tooley leads the BYU Cougars with 44 tackles, Tyler Batty has 3.5 sacks and Jakob Robinson has 3 interceptions.
BYU Cougars Team Facts
- BYU has won 22 of its last 25 games at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
- BYU has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- BYU has won the first half in each of its last three home games against conference opponents.
- Each of BYU’s last five games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Texas Tech rank 34th among FBS teams for points per game this season (34.2).
- Texas Tech has suffered the equal-most road losses by a margin of 10 points or less of any FBS team this season (2).
Randy’s Pick
This line has gone completely in the direction of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and probably for good reason. BYU simply isn’t a good football team, as it’s 123rd in total offense and 132nd in rush offense. BYU is also 100th in total defense and 72nd in scoring defense. BYU does play its best ball at home, but it will take more than location for me to pull the trigger on the Cougars. Texas Tech has issues of its own, but it’s an above average offense that should have success against this poor BYU defense. It’s Texas Tech or pass for me.
