Future Big 12 member Houston will be on the road against rival Texas Tech in Week 2 action on Saturday.
Houston is coming off a three-overtime victory over UTSA and has fallen one spot in the pick to No. 25 overall. Tech beat Murray State by 53 in the first game, but lost quarterback Tyler Shaw along the way.
Here’s what you need to know about the weekend’s match.
How to look
When: Saturday, September 10
Time: 4pm Eastern
TV: FS1 Network
Stream: fuboTV (Start Your Free Trial)
Odds, Betting Lines, Point Spreads.
Line: Texas Tech-4
O/U: 63
Moneyline: HOU +130 TTU -155
FPI Pick: Texas Tech 65.6%
What you need to know
Houston: Clayton Tune threw 4 of his 9 picks against the Red Raiders last season, and the defense is coming off 4 sacks, 13 TFL appearances in the opener. Houston’s offense had too many mistakes last week and lost to 11 penalties, but watch how Thune connects with receiver Nathaniel Dell early. Scored 2 TDs against UTSA.
Texas Tech Tyler Shaw may be out with an injury, but Donovan Smith looks better than he did in Week 1, throwing 4 TD passes and leading an offense with a national-best 12 plays of 20-plus yards. Now he’s close to Houston’s secondary, which could throw him back.
Houston vs Texas Tech: Quick Facts
After Smith entered the game at QB + Tech had 6 straight scoring drives.
+ Houston has outscored teams 147-52 and has shut out opponents in the 1st quarter in 10 of their last 15 games.
+Texas Tech allowed 0 first downs on defense in the 1st half against MSU
+ Houston ranked No. 1 in third-down conversion rate a year ago at .257
+ Tech has won its last 15 non-conference home games and 40 of its last 41
+ UH was 6th nationally in total defense (301.2 ypg).
+ Texas Tech returns 70.1% of its total offense and 84.1% of its rushing yards.
+ Houston led college football with 6 blocked kicks last season.
+ Tech has won 9 of its last 10 against Houston, including the last 4 straight
+ Houston led after 1st quarter by Dana Holgorsen trailing 13-4 and 4-8
+ Houston led 15-2 after 3rd by Holgorsen and trailed 3-12 after 3
what happens?
Neither of these teams run well, but Houston should have a slight advantage on third down, which is a nice edge.
With both quarterbacks looking traditional, Happy should be able to put away these seven divisions in a row through Big 12 play.
Tune will lead 3 or 4 scoring drives, and Smith should be able to respond in kind. Both QBs have receivers to gain yards after the catch and win battles on the perimeter.
Houston’s secondary is a concern here. Frank Harris passes for over 300 yards with three TDs for UTSA This week, the Cougars will be up against a skill team one or two better.
College Football Headquarters Predictions: Texas Tech 38, Houston 34
According to the AP Top 25 poll
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Michigan
- Clemson
- Texas A&M
- Oklahoma
- Our Lady
- Bayer
- USC
- Oklahoma State
- Florida
- Utah
- Michigan State
- Miami
- Arkansas
- Pittsburgh
- NC State
- Wisconsin
- Kentucky
- BYU
- Be a lady
- Wake forest
- Tennessee
- Houston
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