At some point yesterday Houston became the betting favorite, moving to -1.5 so Texas Tech is officially an underdog.

Dallas Morning News | Armed with a strong veteran presence, Texas Tech HC Matt Wells is optimistic heading into Year 3

As Texas Tech coach Matt Wells enters his third season with the Red Raiders, his team is coming off what he believes is its best preseason camp since he arrived.

It won’t take long to see if that produces positive results as Texas Tech travels to Houston to play the Cougars on Saturday night at NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans.

Wells said he is optimistic about the season because of his team’s experience. Texas Tech returns 44 lettermen, including 14 on offense and 15 on defense, who have started at some point in the past.

”The thing that gives me confidence is the amount of games played by the guys that we’re playing with on both sides of the ball whether here at Texas Tech or at other schools,” Wells said. “I would say that we have an older presence. We have a veteran team. A lot of guys have played in big games, in Division I games.”

Athlon Sports | Texas Tech vs. Houston Football Prediction and Preview

Neither team is known for great defense, but Houston lost a pair of NFL draft picks in first-round edge rusher Payton Turner and seventh-round linebacker Grant Stuard, and the Red Raiders must replace cornerback Zech McPhearson, who was selected in the fourth round. Both programs have dipped into the transfer portal for help on defense, and Texas Tech is expected to start three first-year transfers in the secondary. Seven of the 11 projected starters on the Houston defensive depth chart began their college careers elsewhere, though only one (nose guard Latrell Bankston) is in their first season with the Cougars. The Houston offensive line will feature two new transfer additions, however.

Though it will be played in Houston, Saturday’s contest isn’t technically a home game for the Cougars. NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans, will host the matchup and a large percentage of the stands will be filled by Texas Tech fans. Logistics matter some, and Houston will benefit from a regular pregame routine (as much as any team does in its first game). Will it be the difference between two evenly matched teams? Probably not. That could be Tune, Houston’s underrated quarterback, against a new-look Red Raiders secondary. If the Cougars’ back five – which returns fully intact – can keep Shough from a hot start, Houston should be able to pick up an important first victory.

Prediction: Houston 35, Texas Tech 31

USA Today | Big 12 Conference selects four new schools to join league: BYU, Houston, Central Florida and Cincinnati

The Big 12 Conference has settled on the four schools it will add to the league and the process is moving fast toward becoming official, a person briefed on the league’s conversations told USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the league’s deliberations.

The four schools — Brigham Young, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston — represent the most appealing options among teams currently playing in the Group of Five conferences.

Associated Press | AP sources: Big 12 moving quickly to add 4 new members

Three people familiar with the Big 12′s talks said Friday the eight schools being left behind by the Longhorns and Sooners are working to rebuild by adding four new members.

Two of the people said there were regularly scheduled meetings planned for Big 12 university presidents and athletic directors in the coming days to discuss next steps, and another meeting of presidents was expected to take place late next week.

One person said invitations to new members could go out as soon as next week.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Big 12 was not making its internal discussions public.

Sports Illustrated first reported on Friday, citing unidentified sources, that BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF were expected to apply for membership to the Big 12 early next week. The Athletic was first to report earlier this week the Big 12 was focused on those four schools.

Houston Chronicle | With eye on Big 12, UH opens season against Texas Tech

“The only thing that matters is that the University of Houston is playing Texas Tech this Saturday,” coach Dana Holgorsen said when asked about the Big 12 speculation during his Thursday night radio show.

How soon UH could begin play in the Big 12 remains uncertain, although one person close to the talks said the school hopes to expedite the process. Sports Illustrated reported Friday that the plan is for the four expansion schools to join the Big 12 in 2023 and create what temporarily might be a 14-team league. That would mean a chance to compete alongside Texas and Oklahoma for possibly two seasons before their departure to the SEC.

Midland Reporter-Telegram | LEROY: Shough, additions give Texas Tech hope for 2021 season

Shough’s confidence comes from what he’s seen in the skill position, especially with the return of all-Big 12 receiver Erik Ezukanma, who has recovered from a broken arm suffered during the spring. By the way, Lee alum Loic Fouonji is backing up Ezukanma at the Z-receiver position, while Midland High grad McLane Mannix is the probable starter at the H-receiver spot.

Shough also likes the depth at running back and is confident about the offensive line, which was shaky at times last year. Wells, however, has said the line might not be very deep at the moment with only about six or seven players the coaching staff can feel comfortable about.

“Practicing with them every single day, there’s been tremendous improvement since last year,” Shough said. “Obviously those guys are extremely talented, they are huge guys and they’re quick. (Left tackle and TCU transfer) T.J. Storment is another addition at left tackle, (right tackle) Caleb Rogers has done so much better, (right guard) Josh Burger, (center) Dawson Deaton, (left guard) Weston Wright, it’s really fun to watch them play. They really communicate well together and they’re hard to beat.”

Houston Chronicle | Houston vs. Texas Tech: 5 things to watch in opener

2. ‘Normal’ year for Tune
Junior Clayton Tune enters his third season at quarterback. Few could blame him if he just wants things to be normal. He had to burn his redshirt late in 2018, became the starter after the fourth game in 2019 when D’Eriq King redshirted, and dealt with the schedule fiasco caused by Covid-19 last season. Tune should benefit from an upgraded offensive line that added center Kody Russey. Making better decisions and taking care of the ball will be paramount for Tune. “I’m not doing a very good job if he’s not better year three,” Holgorsen said.

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