TCU vs. Texas Tech Spread Prediction
Given the current state of the Big 12, Thursday night in Fort Worth might as well be an elimination game of sorts between TCU and Texas Tech. The Horned Frogs are currently favored at home by a touchdown but could the Red Raiders pull off the upset?
Game Snapshot
105 Texas Tech Red Raiders at 106 TCU Horned Frogs
7:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, October 11, 2018
Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Horned Frogs are 7-point favorites to beat the Red Raiders. The total, meanwhile, sits at 61 points. As of this writing, 59% of the public betting tickets wagered on this matchup are on the Red Raiders.
TCU Horned Frogs
TCU sophomore QB Shawn Robinson (shoulder) is expected to play in Thursday’s game against Texas Tech, but he may not start. Robinson left the game against Iowa on September 29th with a shoulder issue, but it appears that the severity of the injury isn’t so bad if he is expected to play already. It’s interesting that he’s expected to play but isn’t being assured that he’s the starter. If that’s the case, then Michael Collins would likely take the first snaps for the Horned Frogs.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech HC Kliff Kingsbury is hopeful true freshman QB Alan Bowman (lung) will be available for the TCU game on Thursday. Bowman was hospitalized last Saturday after suffering a collapsed lung in the loss to West Virginia. He was kept under observation until his release last Wednesday. Texas Tech also hopes to get McLane Carter back for this one. If both can’t go, Tech has QB3 Jett Duffey waiting in the wings. Bowman ranks No. 9 nationally with 1,680 passing yards despite not starting the season opener, getting knocked out early against West Virginia and Texas Tech having already had its bye week.
Betting Trends
Texas Tech
The Red Raiders are 11-5 against the spread in their last 16 games coming off a straight up loss.
TCU
The Horned Frogs are 2-6 against the number in their last eight games overall and 5-16 against the spread in their last 21 home games.
Prediction
Bowman is expected to play for Texas Tech after suffering a collapsed lung in a loss at West Virginia two weeks ago. The Red Raiders needed that bye last week to get Bowman healthy and for Kliff Kingsbury to put together a solid game plan to attack Gary Patterson’s stout defense. With TCU having its own issues at quarterback (even if Robinson plays he’s thrown for seven touchdowns and six interceptions) I like Tech to cover, if not win outright.
College Football Prediction: Texas Tech Red Raiders +7