With there being no line for this game, I was going to set the line at 40, but SB Nation’s Bill Connelly came out with his S&P+ picks and had Texas Tech coming away with a 35 point win, and that seemed about right. So, to pick against the spread this week, it’s 35 points.
Staff Predictions
DanSwany
Straight Up (0-1): Texas Tech
Against the Spread (0-1): Texas Tech
Commentary: The Red Raiders score 2 quick touchdowns on the ground with Ward in the first quarter. Jett Duffey comes into the game to start the second half while Texas Tech is up 24-14. He scores 4 TDs through the air, and the Tech defense shuts down the Lamar offense throughout the 3rd & 4th quarter. Wreck ‘em Tech!
Keith
Straight Up (0-1): Texas Tech
Against the Spread (0-1): Texas Tech
Commentary: Despite the ongoing gnashing of teeth in Red Raider country, Lamar is not going to be a test for Texas Tech. I think we’ll see a big halftime lead and then a plethora of guys from all over the depth chart will get reps throughout the second half. We’ll see what the fully balanced Red Raider offense can do with Bowman putting up Texas Tech numbers and the backfield will be a force. I don’t see Lamar scoring more than 14, anything more than that is of concern in my opinion.
Michael_LSRR
Straight Up (0-1): Texas Tech
Against the Spread (0-1): Lamar
Commentary: Texas Tech looks like they may allow some big plays here and there. Bowman will be getting his first start knowing he is “the guy”. This could help on offense, but I don’t think Tech will cover.
Michael LaBarre
Straight Up (1-0): Texas Tech
Against the Spread (1-0): Texas Tech
Commentary: The Red Raiders are going to win. Yes they are. No doubt in my mind. For sure. Seth told me I had to write a paragraph for this game, but what’s there to say? Sure Lamar pummeled the team they played last week. But that team was awful. Tech is Alabama compared to that team. Lets have fun on Saturday before we all get sad/angry/confused the rest of the season.
Spencer
Straight Up (0-1): Texas Tech
Against the Spread (0-1): Lamar
Commentary: Tech will win this game comfortably (at least the final margin). Lamar put up 70 on some high school JV squad last week from Kentucky. They lost some starters to injury, but you probably wouldn’t notice. Whichever QB gets the start and majority of the snaps will need some time to get comfortable running things, which I think leads to Lamar covering the spread.
Brian
Straight Up (1-0): Texas Tech
Against the Spread (1-0): Texas Tech
Commentary: I’ve seen Tech struggle against many FCS teams in the past when they absolutely shouldn’t have. I don’t think this will be the case tomorrow. I imagine the team will be much more settled down, and the offense may take a drive or two to warm up but it will end up looking methodical, and we may get to see more of Johns’ influence on the play calling since we won’t be playing from so far behind. The defense will get a chance to pad the turnover margin and it will all be church.
Seth
Straight Up (1-0): Texas Tech
Against the Spread (0-1): Texas Tech
Commentary: I think Texas Tech wins this game pretty handily. If that doesn’t happen then we got problems Lucy. As far as this game, I expect we’ll see a ton of Jett Duffey and maybe even Colt Garrett. McLane Carter won’t be ready for weeks I’m guessing, like maybe 6 weeks as high ankle sprains take a ton of time to heal, although we don’t know about the severity, it’s a long process. The defense will show up because they don’t want to be embarrassed by Lamar and the Cardinals are going to try to run the ball.
Community Predictions
If you voted last week, please feel free to keep track of your own progress in the comments. I want to know if you are a gambling savant.