Texas Tech vs BYU: Cougars Struggling on the Ground
Texas Tech Small Favorites in Must-Win Situation
The Texas Tech Red Raiders visit BYU on Saturday in what is almost a ‘must-win’ situation. The Red Raiders are 3-4 straight-up and against the spread. With road games at Kansas and Texas remaining on the schedule, along with a home game against TCU, Texas Tech can’t afford a loss if it wants to play in a bowl game. BYU is no slouch. The Cougars are 4-2 on the season but have to play Texas and Oklahoma. The Texas Tech vs BYU odds have the Red Raiders favored by 4.5 points on the road and the total is at 52 points.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs BYU Cougars 
Day/Time:
Line: Texas Tech -4.5
Total: 52
Streaming: ESPN
Texas Tech Has the Numbers
The Red Raiders are outscoring opponents 32.3-25.1 on the season, which isn’t the sign of a 3-4 team. Texas Tech outgain foes 410 to 379.3, gaining 30 more yards and holding teams to 30 fewer yards than they gain. The Red Raiders have the edge in all of the stats, making their record a bit puzzling. Texas Tech is -2 in turnovers for the season, so it’s not a case of constantly turning the ball over.
Offensively, the Red Raiders are averaging 179.3 yards per game and 5.0 yards per carry. Texas Tech throws for 230.7 yards per game but is completing just 58.1% of its passes for 6.2 yards per pass attempt. With a completion rate that low, teams are usually throwing longer passes.
On the defensive side of things, the Red Raiders allow 147 yards and 3.9 yards per carry to teams averaging 165.5 yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry. Texas Tech allows 232.3 passing yards per game, slightly lower than the 245.1 yards per game opponents average.
Cougars Not Playing Up to Record
BYU is 4-2 on the season, but just 2-4 against the spread. The Cougars won twice as large favorites but didn’t cover the spread. BYU is averaging 27.7 points against teams allowing 25.9, so the offense has been holding up its end. But BYU is rushing for just 70.7 yards and 2.5 yards per carry against teams allowing 133 yards per game and 3.9 yards per carry. The Cougars are close to average in the passing department.
On defense, BYU is allowing 26 points per game to teams who score 25.8, so the defense is pretty average. The Cougars are allowing more yards than their opponents average, but as long as they keep the points down, the coaching staff can live with giving up a few yards.
BYU is 5-1 in totals on the season, going over the total both times the number was in the 50s. The NCAAF scores have seen BYU go over the total five straight games after scoring just 14 points in its opener.
What to Expect
For Texas Tech vs BYU, the Red Raiders need to come out and play Texas Tech football. That means mixing up the run and the pass and not letting the defense get too comfortable against either. The Red Raiders run 35.9 times per game and pass 37.1 times and they’re decent at both.
BYU should come out throwing, as it doesn’t run very well and Texas Tech is better than average at stopping the run. Despite gaining just 2.5 yards per carry, the Cougars run 28 times and pass 33.5 times. The best way to beat Texas Tech is to run the ball, but the Cougars aren’t likely going to be able to take advantage of that. Texas Tech is 1-3 straight-up when allowing more than 150 rushing yards. But BYU has a season high of 112 yards and that came against Sam Houston State back in Week 1.
Who to Bet On?
Texas Tech vs BYU is a bit of a tough game from a handicapping perspective. The Red Raiders hold almost all of the edges. But when it comes down to it, Texas Tech is 3-4 straight-up and BYU is 4-2. The Red Raiders do get the edge in strength of schedule. Jeff Sagarin ratings have Texas Tech with the 15th most difficult schedule and BYU at No. 52.
The NCAAF scores projection based on the point spread and total is roughly Texas Tech 28-24. That score sounds about right. This is the first time BYU has been a home underdog since 2021 and the Cougars are 6-6-1 ATS as a home dog since 2010. It’s not one of the strongest college picks today, but there is the slightest value in taking BYU +4 at home in this game.
For NCAAF betting news, college football spread, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
