The Oregon Ducks and the Texas Tech Red Raiders meet Saturday in college football action from Jones AT&T Stadium. Oregon comes into this one after an opener matchup versus Portland State. In that one the Ducks cruised to a blowout victory. As for Texas Tech, they played Wyoming in their first outing of the year. The Raiders would go on to fall in a tough double-overtime outcome. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Oregon Ducks 

Oregon didn’t have any trouble at all versus Portland State in their opener. The Ducks scored 22 points in the first quarter, 28 more in the second and 31 after the break in a ridiculous 81-7 blowout win. QB Bo Nix had 287 yards with three scores, while Mar’Keise Irving and Jordan James combined for five rushing touchdowns. 

The Ducks’ defense excelled against an overwhelmed Portland State team in their first game. Oregon held the Vikings to just 200 total yards (52 passing), 3.5 yards per play, nine first downs and 4-of-15 on third-down tries. The Ducks came up with a whopping 729 yards on offense themselves. 

Oregon Ducks Team Facts

Oregon has won each of its last 14 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
The favorite has covered the spread in 17 of Oregon’s last 20 games.
Oregon has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
Oregon has won the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
Each of Oregon’s last six September games as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.

Texas Tech Red Raiders 

Over on the Texas Tech side, they got off to a 17-0 edge after the fourth quarter and things were looking good. The Raiders scored just three points over the next three quarters however and ultimately fell 35-33 following two overtime periods. Quarterback Tyler Shough managed 338 yards through the air, three scores and a pick. 

The Raiders looked solid initially during their game one loss, but couldn’t stand up against the Wyoming rushing game. Texas Tech gave up 320 total yards on defense (171 rushing), 24 first downs and an 8-of-15 rate on third- and fourth-down tries. The Raiders were also edged out in time of possession 34:02 to 25:58. 

Texas Tech Red Raiders Team Facts

Texas Tech has won each of its last 15 games against non-conference opponents at Jones AT&T Stadium.
The underdog has covered the spread in each of Texas Tech’s last four games.
Texas Tech has won the first half in 14 of its last 15 games against non-conference opponents at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Texas Tech has won the first quarter in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
Eight of Texas Tech’s last nine home games against AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Texas Tech ranked T21st among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage last season (.615).
Texas Tech ranked 25th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game last season (10.6).
Oregon ranked 3rd among FBS teams for Q2 points per game last season (14.4).
Oregon ranked 4th among FBS teams for Q3 points per game last season (10.4).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ve got to stay with Oregon. After an opener performance like that, how could a person not be optimistic about the Ducks? Sure, it’s just one home game versus a severely overmatched opponent, but Oregon could seemingly do no wrong. The Ducks came up with 729 yards of offense, including a whopping 348 yards on the ground. Oregon averaged 10.1 yards per play and bagged 38 first downs in the blowout win, all while taking care of the ball (zero turnovers) and posting just two penalties for 20 yards. As for Texas Tech, they fell off the pace after the first quarter in their opener game and they’ll have a lot to work on in preparation for this matchup. If Oregon plays like they’re capable of playing however, the Ducks have nothing to worry about.