The Texas Tech Red Raiders and the West Virginia Mountaineers meet Saturday in college football action from Milan Puskar Stadium. Texas Tech is fresh off a matchup versus Tarleton State. In that game the Raiders finally got a victory, taking the game in blowout fashion. As for West Virginia, they played Pittsburgh over the weekend. The Mountaineers went on to power out an 11-point victory. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Texas Tech Red Raiders 

The Raiders’ season started out with a matchup versus Wyoming. After going up 17-0 in the first quarter, Texas Tech eventually fell in a 35-33 double-overtime heartbreaker. Game two against Oregon was another tough one, but the Raiders actually had a lead 26-18 going into the final quarter. Texas Tech gave up 20 points from there however and lost 38-30. 

Back on Saturday versus Tarleton State, the Raiders took a 34-0 lead into the fourth quarter and rolled to a 41-3 result. Tyler Shough posted 123 yards with a passing TD. Tahj Brooks was the leading rusher on 158 yards, and Jordan Brown had 73 yards and a score off six catches. 

Texas Tech Red Raiders Team Facts

Texas Tech has lost each of its last three September games as a road favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
Texas Tech has covered the spread in each of its last four games against West Virginia.
Texas Tech has won the first quarter in each of its last three games against conference opponents at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Texas Tech has won the first half in each of its last three games against conference opponents at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Four of Texas Tech’s last five September games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

West Virginia Mountaineers 

Over on the Mountaineers’ side, they had a rough matchup out of the gate this year, taking on Penn State. West Virginia hung around for the first half but eventually lost 38-15, posting 308 yards (162 passing) in the defeat. In game two the Mountaineers were able to stretch their legs against Duquesne, going up 28-10 at the break in a 56-17 win. West Virginia managed 619 yards (304 rushing) in that one. 

In their third game versus Pitt, the Mountaineers held a slim 7-6 lead at the break. West Virginia’s defense held in the second half however, and they bagged the win 17-6. Nicco Marchiol had just 60 yards passing and a TD on six completions. CJ Donaldson and Jaylen Anderson combined for 164 yards and a TD off 27 carries on the ground. 

West Virginia Mountaineers Team Facts

West Virginia has won 16 of its last 17 September games at Milan Puskar Stadium.
West Virginia has covered the spread in eight of its last 10 home games in September.
West Virginia has lost the first half in each of its last eight games against conference opponents.
Each of West Virginia’s last four games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

West Virginia ranked 11th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (9.8).
West Virginia ranked T19th among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.583).
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).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to take a stab on Texas Tech. This should be an interesting matchup though, and you could easily make a case for the Mountaineers. That said, the Red Raiders took a couple of tough losses in their first two games but overall the team played well (up until the second halves, that is). Last weekend versus Tarleton State, Texas Tech finally got into the win column with 416 total yards (221 rushing), 26 first downs, one turnover and just two penalties. The competition is going to be ramped up once again in this matchup, but the Red Raiders have shown that they can hang around with good teams. It’ll be a fun game to watch, and I think Texas Tech can bang out the cover in the end.