Houston vs. Texas Tech football preview, prediction
Preview, prediction for Houston vs. Texas Tech on the Week 2 college football schedule
Future Big 12 member Houston takes it on the road against eventual conference rival Texas Tech on Saturday in Week 2 action.
Houston just came off a three-overtime win over UTSA. It dropped one spot to No. 25 overall. Tech beat Murray State by 53 in the debut, but lost quarterback Tyler Shough along the way. Here’s everything you need to know about this weekend’s matchup.
How to watch
When: Sat., Sept. 10
Time: 4 p.m. Eastern
TV: FS1 network
Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Odds, betting lines, point spread
Line: Texas Tech -4
O/U: 63
Moneyline: HOU 130 TTU -155
FPI pick: Texas Tech 65.6%
What you need to know
Houston: Clayton Tune threw 4 of his 9 picks last season against the Red Raiders, and that defense is coming off a 4 sack, 13 TFL showing in its opener. Houston’s offense had too many mistakes last week and slogged through 11 penalties, but watch how Tune connects with receiver Nathaniel Dell early. He scored 2 touchdowns against UTSA.
Texas Tech: Tyler Shough may be out with an injury, but Donovan Smith looked more than fine in his place in Week 1, throwing 4 TD passes and leading an offense that had a national-best 12 plays of 20-plus yards. He now faces a Houston secondary he can throw behind.
Houston vs. Texas Tech: Fast Facts
Tech had 6 straight scoring drives after Smith entered the game at QB
Houston has outscored teams 147-52 and shut out opponents in the 1st quarter in 10 of its last 15 games
Texas Tech allowed 0 first downs on defense in the 1st half vs. MSU
Houston ranked 1st with a . 257 third down conversion rate a year ago
Tech has won its last 15 non-conference home games and 40 of its last 41
UH was 6th nationally in total defense (301.2 ypg)
Texas Tech returns 70.1% of its total offense and 84.1% of its rushing production
Houston led college football with 6 blocked kicks last season
Tech has won 9 of the last 10 against Houston, including the last 4 straight
Houston is 13-4 under Dana Holgorsen when leading after the 1st quarter and 4-8 when trailing
Houston is 15-2 when leading after the 3rd under Holgorsen and 3-12 when trailing after 3
What happens?
Neither of these teams will run terribly well, but Houston should have the slight advantage on third down, which is a good edge to have.
Both quarterbacks should be able to consistently chip away at these back seven units in what should look like a traditional, pass happy Big 12 game.
Tune should lead 3 to 4 scoring drives and Smith should be able respond in kind. Both QBs have the receiving corp to get yards after the catch and win battles on the perimeter. Houston’s secondary concerns here. Frank Harris went over 300 yards with three TDs for UTSA against it, and this week the Cougars are going against a skill group a grade or two better.
College Football HQ Prediction: Texas Tech 38, Houston 34
According to AP top 25 poll
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Michigan
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- Baylor
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- Houston
The author of 5 books, 3 of which are New York Times bestsellers. I’ve been published in more than 100 newspapers and magazines and am a frequent commentator on NPR.
