What could be more fun than a late-night West Coast game on Saturday night with a total set at 66?
The Washington Cougars will take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in what's expected to be a high-scoring affair on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on FOX.
Both teams are coming off wins in Week 1, and defense may be optional for the matchup. The Cougars are 2.5-point favorites at home.
Let's get right into the breakdown of what should be an entertaining game between the Red Raiders and the Cougars. Read on for my Texas Tech vs. Washington State prediction.
Texas Tech vs. Washington State Pick, Prediction
- Pick: Over 65.5
My Washington State-Texas Tech best bet is on the over, with the best line currently available at ESPN Bet, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Texas Tech vs. Washington State Odds, Spread, Over/Under
| Texas Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-1 -105 | 65.5 -110o / -110u | -110 |
| Washington State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+1 -115 | 65.5 -110o / -110u | -110 |
- Point Spread: Texas Tech -1 · Washington State +1
- Total: Over/Under 65.5
- Moneyline: Texas Tech ML -110 · Washington State ML -110
Texas Tech Football vs. Washington State Football Preview
Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Preview: Rough Defensive Showing
The Red Raiders were fortunate to get past Abilene Christian in Week 1, barely holding on to win, 52-51, in overtime. However, their defense is in a boatload of trouble, as it was stunning to see them allow that many points to an FCS school.
ACU outgained the Red Raiders, 615-539, so Texas Tech really should have lost the game. Now, it faces a Wazzu team that dropped 70 points last week.
For a defensive unit that lost a few key defensive players, it's hard to believe how much of a drop-off there was last week for Texas Tech. The Cougars no longer have quarterback Cam Ward, but they're still an explosive football team, so the Red Raiders are in trouble.
Last season, Texas Tech did an excellent job of limiting explosive plays and ranked top-65 in Defensive Pass EPA.
QB Behren Morton has been the definition of inconsistent during his college football career, but he had an excellent game last week. I doubt we'll see that type of performance again, but I expect him to find plenty of success against a weak Washington State secondary.
The Cougs were awful in Defensive Finishing Drives, Defensive EPA and Havoc last season. The Red Raiders offense is bound to have a field day against a group that also lost a few pieces.
Texas Tech ranked 41st in Offensive Finishing Drives, which is solid. I expect Joey McGuire's team to improve, but I doubt its defense will show much.
Washington State Cougars Betting Preview: What Do We Know About Mateer?
QB John Mateer only completed 11-of-17 passes but threw for 352 yards last weekend. Mateer has massive shoes to fill after Ward transferred to Miami.
Mateer should have plenty of chances for success against a Red Raiders team that allowed over 600 yards of offense against ACU last week. Their secondary got worse, and it was already an inconsistent unit.
The Cougs are trying to establish their identity on offense, but their defense could be better. They ranked below the top 90 in defensive explosiveness allowed, Defensive EPA and Defensive havoc. Not only that, but they rank 117th in returning production.
Last week, they allowed 30 points to Portland State. Quite frankly, it was an embarrassing performance.
The oddsmakers are fully aware of why they set the total at 68, as we have two terrible defenses that refuse to stop a nosebleed. We are indeed headed for a high-scoring affair.
How to Make College Football Picks for Texas Tech vs. Washington State Predictions
Both defenses could be better, but I'm not the biggest believer in Morton, nor do we know much about Mateer at this point.
These stop units are coming off awful games last week against FCS opponents, and they ranked among the worst in the country in multiple defensive metrics in 2023, including Defensive Pass EPA, defensive explosiveness and standard down EPA per Play Allowed.
Both offenses should have a field day through the air, and I expect a ton of explosive plays.
It's a bit of a square pick, but I need help seeing the matchup going under the total. I don't want to back either of these questionable defenses.
Pick: Over 65.5 (Play to 67.7)
How to Watch Texas Tech vs. Washington State
| Location: | Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA |
| Date: | Saturday, Sept. 7 |
| Kickoff Time: | 10 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | FOX |
Texas Tech-Washington State Betting Trends
- Washington State has received 84% of the tickets and 88% of the money.
- The under has taken 60% of bets but generated 81% of the cash.
Texas Tech vs Washington State Weather
