TCU Horned Frogs (8-2 SU, 5-5 ATS) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-5 SU, 6-4 ATS)
College Football Week 12
Date and Time: Saturday, November 18th, 2017 12:00 PM EST
Where: Jones AT&T Stadium Lubbock, TX
TV:FOX SPORTS NETWORK
by Keith F., Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: TCU -7.5/TT +7.5
Over/Under Total: OFF
Yet another Lone Star State Showdown is brewing as another chapter of a cross-state Big 12 rivalry series will ensue when the Horned Frogs take on their counterparts the Texas Tech Red Raiders at the Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. The game will take place on Saturday, November 18th, 2017 at 12:00 PM EST in what will be an early duel broadcasted on FOX SPORTS NETWORK. Since TCU joined the Big 12, the two sides have met on five occasions. The Red Raiders have won three of those five meetings and own the most recent victory last year in Fort Worth. In 2016, the Red Raiders would edge out the Frogs in an overtime thriller where they won 27-24. The last two meetings between both parties was settled by just a field goal. The away team has won the last two meetings as another noteworthy narrative. Furthermore, Texas Tech is 4-1 ATS since the rivalry was renewed in 2012.
The Horned Frogs come in off a whooping sustained at the hands of the Big 12s top dog Oklahoma. The loss would be TCUs second of the season and puts their College Football Playoff aspirations in peril. For the conference credentials, the Frogs have plenty to play for as they will get Oklahoma in a re-match if they win out. The result in Norman was tough to stomach as the Frogs would be thrashed 38-10. Previous to this, the Frogs last came when they were struck down by the giantkillers of the Big 12 when Iowa State defeated TCU 14-7 in Ames. The Cyclones nearly took down the Oklahoma State Cowboys when hosting them in Cyclone City, last Saturday. The Horned Frogs have plenty of experience vying for bowl games of consequence but unfortunately Texas Tech poises to be a huge hurdle.
The Red Raiders galloped off to an impressive 3-0 start in 2017 before the Big 12 would get the best of them. We saw Tech ascend into the Top 25 and earn a ranking when they were 4-1. Since then, Tech has gone just 1-4. The Red Raiders were riding a four-game skid until it was ended with a defeat against rival Baylor on Saturday. The Bears have won just one game this season so this does not quantify any kind of regard for Texas Tech. Nevertheless, business is conducted as usual and the Red Raiders are known as a team that loves to air it out. As a signature of Texas Tech squads, the unit features a passing offense that is ranked seventh nationally in passing yards per game and have eclipsed the 50-point mark on three occasions this season. For Texas Tech, bowl eligibility is on the table be that they do need one more win to qualify. With a road win at Texas to round off the season, there are no guarantees that Tech can achieve this. Likely, their best shot is in Lubbock with home cooking to support them.
Presently, the public has jumped all over TCU as this seems to be a bounce-back opportunity for the Horned Frogs to stay in the conference race. Given the fact, TCU also has a pedigree for playing well in high-stakes games as a whole, few could imagine the Frogs getting plucked here as a loss would be catastrophic to their campaign. As a result of the heavy lean by the public in the early going, the asking price for TCU has risen by 1.5 points.
Texas Tech has all the makings to be a very dangerous home dog and a threat to TCU. The opening number in this market suggests that and enticed the public to get aboard Superfrog albeit a touchdown generates a cover. So far, the public has scoffed the points up and continue to chase. As good as TCU is on paper, the market would not even give Tech a touchdown despite the fact they have been in poor form as of late. This resonates with us. Chances are Texas Tech will put all their chips on the table and attempt to secure a win in favorable confines with their post-season aspirations still afloat. TCUs morale is in question even if they are skippered by a seasoned coach. Tech without question is in high spirits given the fact they just won a key rivalry game. Place TCU on upset alert.
Keiths Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TEXAS TECH +7.5. Bet this game for FREE by taking advantage of a 50% bonus up to $250 at one of the web’s oldest and most trusted betting sites: BOVADA