The Houston Cougars and Texas Tech Red Raiders meet Saturday in week 5 college football action at Jones AT&T Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Houston Cougars Betting Preview 

The Houston Cougars need a win here to get back to a .500 record. Houston has won 4 of its last 7 road games. Donovan Smith is completing 62.3 percent of his passes for 1,012 yards, 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Samuel Brown and Matthew Golden have combined for 649 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Joseph Manjack IV has 20 receptions. The Houston Cougars ground game is averaging 127.8 yards per contest, and Parker Jenkins leads the way with 147 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Houston is allowing 25 points and 407.3 yards per game. Malik Robinson leads the Houston Cougars with 25 tackles, Nelson Ceaser has 3.5 sacks and Malik Fleming has 3 interceptions.

Houston Cougars Team Facts

• Houston has won seven of its last nine road games against conference opponents.
• Houston has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games against conference opponents.
• Each of Houston’s last eight September road games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Preview

The Texas Tech Red Raiders look for their second home win to improve to 2-3 on the year. Texas Tech has won 7 of its last 9 home games. Tyler Shough is completing 60.4 percent of his passes for 746 yards, 7 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Jerand Bradley and Jordan Brown have combined for 392 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Xavier White has 12 receptions. The Texas Tech Red Raiders ground game is averaging 162.5 yards per contest, and Tahj Brooks leads the way with 412 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Texas Tech is allowing 24 points and 347.8 yards per game. Jesiah Pierre leads the Texas Tech Red Raiders with 37 tackles, Jaylon Hutchings has 2 sacks and Malik Dunlap has 3 interceptions.

Texas Tech Red Raiders Team Facts

• Texas Tech has won each of its last eight September home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Texas Tech has covered the spread in 12 of its last 14 September games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Four of Texas Tech’s last five home games against conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Randy’s Pick

The Houston Cougars are a bad team on both sides of the ball, as the offense struggles to finish drives and the defense is 103rd in total defense. The Texas Tech Red Raiders have issues of their own, but they can still produce offensively, and they haven’t had the easiest schedule with games against West Virginia and Oregon. At home, Texas Tech should have a field day in this spot and put up decent offensive numbers. Give me the Red Raiders by double digits.