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Texas Tech at Texas Football Lines & Picks

The second-ranked Texas Longhorns open up Big 12 play this Saturday when in-state rival Texas Tech invades Austin. Texas will have payback on its mind after Tech’s thrilling 39-33 win murdered the Longhorn’s shot at the BCS championship last season. Football odds makers don’t think the Horns will have much trouble getting their revenge this week, listing Texas as a 17.5-point favorite with the total set at 67.

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The Longhorns did not appear too interested in either of their first two contests and still crushed UL-Monroe 59-29 in Week 1 and Wyoming 41-10 last week. Head coach Mike Leach and his Red Raiders lost a lot of the offensive side of the football but so far his system looks to be breeding new stars. The Red Raiders won 38-13 against North Dakota and then 55-10 against Rice. Texas has won five straight at home in this rivalry and holds a decisive 43-15 advantage in the all-time series.

QB Taylor Potts appears to be the next Texas Tech signal caller ready to put up gaudy numbers. Potts was 36 of 57 for 457 yards and seven touchdowns against Rice last week. Through two games, Potts has totaled 861 passing yards and nine touchdowns. Lyle Leong looks like he is going to be Potts’ go to guy. He finished with nine grabs for 117 yards and three touchdowns last week. Tramain Swindall, who caught six passes for 123 yards and two scores, will have to be accounted for by Texas also. The Red Raiders have not been too interested in trying to establish a running game thus far.

While Tech should be able to move the football on offense, the big question is if it is good enough defensively to stop the Longhorns. So far, the defense has looked pretty good, allowing only 232 yards of offense per game, but the caliber of opponent takes a big jump up this week. If the Red Raiders are going to pull off the shocking upset, the defense will have to be a major factor. If you think the Red Raiders have what it takes to keep this one tight, bet Texas Tech at +17.5 at Sportsbook.com.

The Longhorns did not look like the No. 2 ranked team in the country against Wyoming in the first half a week ago, but they turned it on in half number two to earn a lopsided win. Colt McCoy finished 30 of 47 for 337 yards and three touchdowns through the air and added another score on the ground against the Cowboys. He enters Saturday’s matchup with six total touchdowns on the season. McCoy did it all for the Horns in 2008, but this season they would like to run the football more effectively with their tailbacks to try to keep their star QB from sustaining an injury. Thus far, the ground attack is averaging 195 rushing yards per game. Vondrell McGee, Tre’ Newton and Cody Johnson have done the majority of the work. Through the air, Jordan Shipley is McCoy’s go to guy. Thus far, he has caught 15 passes for 241 yards and a score.

While Texas’ defense is expected to be pretty good, the question is if it is good enough to win a national title. Thus far, the unit is allowing 285.5 yards per game, but it figures to face one of its toughest tasks of the season this week. Tech’s passing game puts constant pressure on the secondary so the boys across the back will have to be on their game. If you like the Longhorns to avenge last season’s loss in a big way, bet Texas at -17.5 at Sportsbook.com.

*Note: Make sure you check out Jimmy Boyd’s Saturday NCAA football picks package for a big day in the black on the college gridiron.

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