Staff Predictions

Dan Swany
Straight Up: Texas Tech
Against the Spread: Texas Tech
Commentary: Tech beats the spread, and wins straight up against Ole Miss in Houston on Saturday 41-38. Even with our Red Raiders being souped-up on the defensive side of the ball this season, it is going to be a tall order keeping the Ole Miss star AJ Brown out of the end zone. The Rebels will try to go at us on the ground and then open up their pass game, it is going to be aimed at a fast pace. On the Tech offensive side of the ball, we should be going toe-to-toe for the scores and keep this a shootout with Ole Miss. I’m predicting Ward to charge inside the pylon twice for us, and we will be connecting through the air to oodles of different receivers for plenty of first downs and scores. This should be a fun game as both teams believe they have a great chance to walk away with a victory. Last touchdown of the match wins it… Wreck ‘em!!!

Keith
Straight Up: Texas Tech
Against the Spread: Texas Tech
Commentary: As I mentioned in this week’s Big 12 Road Trip, I think Tech will own this game if the offense is working at 80% efficiency. I expect T.J. Vasher to have a coming out party against a suspect Ole Miss secondary. Tech’s underrated run game will force them to load the box and man up on the corners, leaving some poor soul on an island with the 6’5″ 200lb Vasher. Tech’s defense will play with fire and we’ll see the step forward we’ve been hearing about all off-season, handling the Ole Miss WRs and putting consistent pressure on the QB.

Michael_LSRR
Straight Up: Texas Tech
Against the Spread: Texas Tech
Commentary: Texas Tech has the advantage at the line on both sides of the ball, particularly when on offense. Ole Miss is coming off a terrible year defensively. They do have a lot of talent on offense, so I’ll go with Tech winning 31-27 hoping to see Johns’ influences along the way for a more balanced attack.

Michael LaBarre
Straight Up: Ole Miss
Against the Spread: Ole Miss
Commentary: I’m generally a pessimist to sports for the most part, and I know Ole Miss isn’t as good as usual, but I’m picking the Rebels. The Tech offense looked rather ineffective with Carter at QB (assuming he starts), and I have some questions surrounding the skill guys. The defense is fine, but with Jah’Shawn possibly out and Morgan not playing, along with a few more possessions on the field due to the offense, they won’t be as effective as they should be. Ole Miss barely wins in Houston.

Spencer
Straight Up: Texas Tech
Against the Spread: Texas Tech
Commentary: I really like the matchup of facing the Ole Miss defense. The Rebels were giving up nearly 250 rushing yards last season, with their only strategy being to try to force turnovers. The Rebel offense will get its shots in, but defense wins games (at least that’s what I’ve heard) and Ole Miss is woefully outmatched there.

Brian
Straight Up: Ole Miss
Against the Spread: Ole Miss
Commentary: I’ve changed my mind so many times on this game over the past week. In the end, Ta’amu and the Ole Miss receivers are what worry me the most, as they have the experience there and I worry about our defensive backs. Tech’s best change is to have the our defensive line go absolutely ham.

Seth
Straight Up: Texas Tech
Against the Spread: Ole Miss
Commentary: I think it’s a really close game and one that Texas Tech wins, but by less than the 2.5 points. Buckle up.

Community Predictions

I’m actually going to keep track of the staff overall records, so I’m encouraging you all to do the same. You all have to go on the honor system.