The Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Wyoming Cowboys meet Saturday in college football action from War Memorial Stadium. Texas Tech finished 8-5 overall last year, ending the season with a win over Ole Miss in the Texas Bowl. As for Wyoming, they’re coming off a 7-6 run last season and a tough OT loss to Ohio in the Arizona Bowl. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Texas Tech Red Raiders 

The Raiders had one rough 2-5 stretch in the middle of the season (with the losses coming versus some tough opponents) but they began and finished strong. Texas Tech ended up 8-5 overall with a 5-4 run in Big 12 play, good enough for fourth place in a tough conference. In the Texas Bowl, the Raiders finished with a win 42-25 over Ole Miss. 

Looking ahead to 2023, the Red Raiders’ hopes are high. The offense is primed to be better than last season (462 yards and 34 points per game on average) with a couple of talented QBs in Tyler Shough and Behren Morton. All of the top five wide receivers are back, and the TE duo of Baylor Cupp and Mason Tharp should contribute greatly. 

Texas Tech Red Raiders Team Facts

The underdog has won each of Texas Tech’s last three games.
Texas Tech has covered the spread in eight of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Texas Tech has won the first half in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
Texas Tech has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
Four of Texas Tech’s last five games as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.

Wyoming Cowboys 

Over on the Cowboys’ side, they managed a pretty average 7-6 run last year with a 5-3 record in the Mountain West. Wyoming finished third in the Mountain Division behind Boise State and Air Force, earning an invite to the Arizona Bowl. That final game didn’t work out very well for the Cowboys however; it ended up being a 30-27 overtime loss to Ohio. 

Wyoming has had winning records in five of the last seven years, and with another strong defensive unit this season the team has high hopes at bowl game. The offense really needs to step up in 2023, though; the passing wasn’t great and the Cowboys only averaged 21 points per game. The offensive line took quite a hit in the offseason but veteran center Nofoafia Tulafono should be able to find chemistry with the new faces. 

Wyoming Cowboys Team Facts

Wyoming has won each of its last eight September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Wyoming has covered the spread in each of its last four September games as an underdog.
Wyoming has won the first half in seven of its last nine games against non-conference opponents at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium.
Wyoming has won the first quarter in each of its last three games against non-conference opponents at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium.
Six of Wyoming’s last seven September games as a home underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Wyoming ranked T14th among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.615).
Wyoming was one of only 20 FBS teams to win 3+ games when trailing at HT last season.
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 staying with Texas Tech here. I’m pretty optimistic about the Red Raiders’ chances in 2023, as (on paper at least) they look like they could be a better team than last year. The key offensive spots are pretty strong: after a solid QB/WR group Texas Tech has That Brooks and Cam’Ron Valdez holding down running back duties. If the offensive line can ratchet up the pass protection a bit, the Raiders should score frequently. On defense Texas Tech loses a few big contributors (namely end Tyree Wilson and top tackling LBs Krishon Merriweather and Kofi Eldridge) but that unit should be good enough to get by. I think Texas Tech will put their best foot forward in a win here, however it’ll be an interesting matchup regardless.