Texas Tech vs. Iowa State Total Pick
It’s been two weeks since the Iowa State Cyclones pulled off their upset of the WVU and the team will be back in action Saturday afternoon when it hosts Texas Tech at 12:00 p.m. ET. With the total sitting in the mid-50s, is the over a good play?
Game Snapshot
201 Texas Tech Red Raiders at 202 Iowa State Cyclones
12:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, October 27
Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Cyclones are 3.5-point favorites to beat the Red Raiders. The total, meanwhile, sits at 56 points. As of this writing, 56% of the public betting tickets wagered on this matchup are on the Cyclones.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Iowa State HC Matt Campbell said that the status of redshirt senior QB Kyle Kempt (knee) has not yet been determined for Saturday’s game against Texas Tech. Kempt has not played since the second game of the campaign. Even if he is available this weekend, we would be surprised if freshman Brock Purdy does not receive the start versus the Red Raiders. Purdy has thrown for 572 yards (75-percent completions) with a 7/2 TD/INT ratio while starting the last two games, including a mammoth home upset of WVU prior to the Cyclones’ bye week.
Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State redshirt senior QB Kyle Kempt (knee) is back on the depth chart for Saturday’s game against Texas Tech. Kempt hasn’t played since Iowa State fell to Iowa in Week 2 while dealing with the knee injury. Brock Purdy is still listed as the starter, however, with Kempt listed as one of the backups for the contest against the Red Raiders. Unless Purdy struggles — or there’s an unforeseen development — it’s unlikely that the redshirt senior regains his starting job in 2018.
Betting Trends
Texas Tech
The over is 6-2 in the Red Raiders’ last eight games overall.
Iowa State
The under is 11-3 in the Cyclones’ last 14 games overall.
Prediction
This isn’t your father’s Red Raiders. After allowing 43.5 points per game in 2016, the Red Raiders improved that number to 32.2 points per game a year ago. This season? Tech is allowing just 26.4 points per game. Meanwhile, ISU remains stout defensively itself, surrendering 22.7 points per game. With this game in Ames, I see the combined score drawing close to going over but ultimately falling just shy.
College Football Prediction: Texas Tech/Iowa State under 56