The Texas Longhorns and Texas Tech Red Raiders begin Big 12 conference play when the rivals collide on Saturday at Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin. The Longhorns went 2-1 in nonconference play, beating Louisiana and Rice at home and losing to Arkansas on the road. In the preseason Texas was picked to finish third in the conference. Meanwhile the Red Raiders (3-0) have started the season with nonconference wins against Houston, Stephen F. Austin and Florida International. Tech was predicted to finish ninth in the 10-team Big 12. This will be the first Big 12 game for the Longhorns since the school announced it would be leaving the conference with Oklahoma for the SEC.
Kickoff is at noon ET. The Longhorns are favored by nine points in the latest Texas vs. Texas Tech odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 62. Before you make any Texas Tech vs. Texas picks and college football predictions, make sure you check out what the proven SportsLine Projection Model has to say.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters Week 4 of the 2021 season on a 72-58 run on all top-rated college football picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now the model has dialed in on Texas vs. Texas Tech and just revealed its picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s Texas vs. Texas Tech picks and analysis. Now, here are the college football odds and betting lines for Texas Tech vs. Texas:
- Texas vs. Texas Tech spread: Longhorns -9
- Texas vs. Texas Tech over-under: 62 points
- Texas vs. Texas Tech moneyline: Longhorns -380, Red Raiders +300
- TEX: RB Bijan Robinson leads the Big 12 in touchdowns (six)
- TTU: WR Erik Ezukanma is first in the conference in receiving yards per game (116.7)
Why the Longhorns can cover
Texas is coming off a ruthlessly efficient rushing performance. In last week’s 58-0 victory against Rice, the Longhorns ran for 428 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 10.4 yards per carry. Three running backs — Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson and Keilan Robinson — each had touchdown runs of at least 60 yards in the game. The 428 rushing yards were the most for Texas since gaining 439 yards against Texas Tech in 2011.
In addition, the Longhorns have dominated the recent series against the Red Raiders. Texas has won 10 of the last 12 meetings between the teams, outscoring Tech 482-335. The average margin of victory in the Longhorns’ 10 wins has been 15.4 points.
Why the Red Raiders can cover
Texas Tech has shown an ability to stop the run this season. Through three games the Red Raiders are giving up just 57.3 yards per game on the ground, which ranks ninth in the country. The team’s 163 rushing yards allowed this season are its fewest through three games dating back to 2000.
In addition, Tech quarterback Tyler Shough is coming off a career game. In just his third start as a Red Raider, the transfer from Oregon completed 26-of-35 passes for 399 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Florida International. The 399 passing yards marked the third 300-yard outing of his career, snapping his previous career-high in the process.
How to make Texas vs. Texas Tech picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 68 points. The model also has an against-the-spread pick that cashes in well over 50 percent of simulations. You can only see the model’s Texas vs. Texas Tech ATS pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Texas vs. Texas Tech? And which side of the spread cashes in well over 50 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Texas Tech vs. Texas spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that finished the past five-plus years up nearly $3,000 on its FBS college football picks, and find out.