Two of the most explosive offenses in college football will meet up in what should be a highly entertaining showdown in Week 8 of the regular season. The Oklahoma Sooners will aim to remain undefeated in the Big 12 when they hit the road to face off against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Oklahoma is a solid road favorite as it looks to extend its winning streak to four games. Texas Tech seems out of the conference race but would like to make a bowl game, and upsetting the Sooners would go a long way in helping secure a postseason berth.
This contest in Week 8 of the regular season will go down Saturday, October 22, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET at Jones AT&T Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Oklahoma -13.5
Texas Tech +13.5
Odds Analysis
The Sooners are big road favorites against a mid-tier conference foe, so that could give some bettors pause. However, that hasn’t been the case with the early action, as 84 percent of the money that has come in has gone to Oklahoma to cover.
The Sooners are only 1-5 against the spread this season, including winless on the road in two tries. Texas Tech is 4-2 against the spread and has covered three of four times at home.
Matchup to Watch
Patrick Mahomes vs. Baker Mayfield - Each team boasts a prolific quarterback, and the one who plays better will give his team a chance to win.
Texas Tech has had problems running the ball and stopping opponents, but Mahomes has been awesome to help keep the team afloat with a 3-3 overall record.
He has completed 194-of-272 passes for 2,579 yards with 21 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Texas Tech is averaging a ridiculous 510.8 passing yards per game, as Mahomes has shown he can keep his team in the game even if it gets behind. Mahomes is battling a shoulder injury but is expected to play.
Mayfield, the Oklahoma signal-caller, hasn’t thrown as much but has also been impressive. He has completed 125-of-177 passes for 1,803 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Sooners have a better running game and defense, which has led to the fast start in conference play, but the quarterback has also been an essential piece. Mayfield has thrown for 390 and 346 yards the past two games and should be in line for another big day against a Red Raiders defense which is leaky.
Key stat
40.2. That’s the number of points allowed per game by Texas Tech, which is why the team only sits at .500 despite such a dynamic quarterback.
The Red Raiders are giving up 479.2 total yards per game, including more than 200 per contest on the ground. That’s music to the ears of Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon, who has 79 carries for 476 yards and two touchdowns this season.
If Mixon gets going, Texas Tech will have a hard time slowing down Oklahoma’s offense since it is balanced and lethal in many different ways.
Free ATS Pick
Texas Tech has put up some fun numbers this season, but has yet to beat a quality opponent. It hung tough against Kansas State before losing by six, but was blown out last time out by West Virginia.
The Red Raiders will look to put up a better performance in this one, but it will be tough against an Oklahoma offense that is so well-oiled.
Texas Tech should be able to come up with enough big plays to keep this one entertaining, especially playing at home. Don’t expect an upset because the Sooners figure to score early and often, but Mahomes will keep things interesting.
A backdoor cover could be your friend, so go with Texas Tech to stay within shouting distance even though Oklahoma will win.
College Football Odds: Oklahoma 48, Texas Tech 38
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