West Virginia
vs.
Texas Tech
College Football Pick
10/15/16
By Jason Green
If you are looking for a shootout that promises to be a high scoring Game look no further than this match. Tech ranks 1st in passing yards per Game and 2nd in ppg, but has one of the worst defenses in the nation while WVU has a legit aerial attack that ranks 17th in passing yards per Game.
The Red Raiders had put up at least 55 points in each of their last 4 Games before only, yeah only, scoring 38 in their last Game, which was a loss to Kansas State.
West Virginia moved into the top 25 since they are 4-0, but they have not played a ranked team and their last 2 Games have been close. The Mountaineers are coming off a bye week so they should be rested for this Game.
West Virginia narrowly beat Kansas State at home 17-16 in a defensive contest in their last Game, but they did not cover the spread giving 3 points.
Tech was at Kansas State in their last where they lost 44-38, but they did cover as a 9.5-point underdog.
WVU is averaging 29 ppg this season and while QB Skyler Howard has been putting up some big numbers he has been picked off once in every Game this season. His top 2 targets in Shelton Gibson and Daikiel Shorts have combined for 776 receiving yards on the season and there is a good chance they can pad those stats facing a Red Raiders pass D that only ranks 100th in the nation.
The Mountaineers have a decent rushing attack, but their strength is their passing attack. However, WVU may want to hit the ground more since Tech gave up 231 rushing yards against Kansas State.
In the loss to Kansas State QB Patrick Mahomes passed for over 500 yards and the Red Raiders outgained the Wildcats by 257 yards and they still lost. They have the firepower with a great WR corps, but their rushing offense is not very good and their red zone defense is terrible. This season they are allowing opponents to Scorea TD in 70% of trips to the red zone. WVU’s pass defense ranks 64th in the nation and they will surely be tested in this Game.
WVU is only 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Games overall, 1-6 ATS in their last 7 road Games, and they have an Under record of 15-3 in their last 18 Big 12 Games.
Tech is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Big 12 Games, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home Games, and they have an Over record of 20-8 in their last 28 home Games.
Pick – West Virginia figures to be the best defense Tech has seen thus far in 2016. WVA doesn’t want to go toe to toe and trade points with this Tech offense. The last 3 years the Mountaineers have been able to keep this Scorein the 60’s. We see a repeat of that trend here and think the total is too high. WVA/Texas Tech UNDER 83