In spite of all of the talk that the SEC is the best conference in America by leaps and bounds, if you disregard Kansas, the Big XII has been stellar thus far in 2015. The Texas Tech Red Raiders have been a big part of that, and they are going to be up for their biggest challenge this Saturday when they take on the Arkansas Razorbacks.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The oddsmakers put a number up on the board in this game that should have SEC enthusiasts drooling. The Razorbacks, even after their horrible showing against Toledo last week, are still favored in this game, albeit by a relatively low number of -9.5.
JQP has since jumped in and bet it up to -11.5 with the total locked in at 65.
KEY MISMATCH
Last season, Jakeem Grant was the focal point of this Texas Tech offense. He isn't quite getting as many looks through two games as he did a season ago, but he is still going to be the toughest man on the field for the Razorbacks to match up with.
Corey Jones was all over the field last week for Toledo, and though he ended up with a modest game with eight catches, 61 yards and a touchdown, he proved to make the plays needed when the game was on the line. The Rockets were able to spread out the Arkansas defense to create mismatches from time to time, and no team in America does that better than Texas Tech.
Expect to see Grant running wide open at times during blown assignments, knowing that this Arkansas secondary isn't nearly as polished this season as Bret Bielema would want.
KEY STAT
47.1 – The percentage of the time the Razorbacks are running the football through two games this season. For a club which ran it 60.8 percent of the time last season, that's just a flat out abomination, and Bielema has to get this team back to its running ways in a hurry if it wants to get points up on the board with greater regularity than it did against lowly Toledo.
BETTING ANGLE
It's only a matter of time until Kliff Kingsbury turns his alma mater into a consistent winner. Bettors are already starting to see profits. The Red Raiders are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games overall in spite of the fact that they are just 2-6 ATS in their last eight road games.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Razorbacks are trying to be something they aren't right now, and we don't like that. Missing Jonathan Williams in the backfield is truly proving to be problematic, and as a result, they are being forced to throw the ball a lot more, as Alex Collins can only do so much.
Yes, last season, Arkansas went down to Arlington and beat up the Red Raiders, but anyone who watched that game knows that it was a lot closer than 49-28 suggests. The fact that the Hogs are laying so many points in this one is almost egregious to us.
Texas Tech most certainly has the ability to win this game now that it seemingly has its quarterback situation worked out.
Texas Tech 41, Arkansas 31
The college football odds for this game were available first at BookMaker Sportsbook at the Arkansas Razorbacks -9.5 with a total of 64.5. Gamble on the game at every commercial with BookMaker's live betting feature. Along with an adjusted spread and total, you can wager on what will happen on the next drive. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting every. Click here, and start wagering today! Kick off for the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Arkansas Razorbacks is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The duel can be seen live on ESPN2.
