Red Raiders vs Cyclones NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
The Red Raiders are looking to get back into the race in the revamped Big 12 this year. It is going to be tough because even though two better programs left two new better programs took their slots.
Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-0) vs Iowa State Cyclones (3-0)
Saturday September 29
Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, IA
7:00PM
Moneyline: Texas Tech -140, Iowa State +120 at TopBet.eu
Spread: Texas Tech -2.5
O/U: 58
Texas Tech
They have the luxury of getting most of their tougher opponents at home but they still have to take care of business on the road. The visitor in this series is on a 2-5 SU trends and the coaches know each other well.
For now at least coach Tuberville is maintaining the pass happy offense of Mike Leach.
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Through their three games though they have had surprising balance with a rushing attack in the top 25 to go along with a passing game that is second in the country. The competition has been pitiful but the defensive numbers are very sharp too. In fact, believe it or not, the Red Raiders give up the fewest yards per game in the nation.
This is the first game of Big 12 conference play for Texas Tech and the first where they may actually be forced to break a sweat to get the victory. These teams used to be in separate divisions so they may not be as familiar with each other as people think. They have played the last two season with Iowa State taking both, last year stomping all over Texas Tech. This should be a good game.
Iowa State
The Cyclones are looking good coming into this one. They are 3-0, at home coming off a bye week and have a couple of decent wins under their belt with victories over Tulsa and a road upset of rival Iowa. Like the Red Raiders this is their first Big 12 contest of the season and they are looking to continue to improve under coach Paul Rhoads, a former Tuberville assistant at Auburn. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
QB Steele Jantz (love the name) has become much more efficient passing the ball in his senior season. He is completing 70% of his passes but still could do better when it comes to turnovers. Amazingly running back Shontrelle Harris has leapt to the top of the running stable (he was 4th last year and nobody left). He and James White are forming a great duo with both averaging 5 yards a pop.
Iowa State is a great live dog on Saturday. Their past success and current momentum lead me to believe they should probably be the favourite by a few instead of the other way around. Last year they started 3-0 then lost 4 straight but then lost 4 in a row but those were against team that were ranked. Give the emerging Cyclones a chance.
Spread Pick: Iowa State +2.5
O/U Pick: Under
Score Prediction: Iowa State 27 – Texas Tech 26
