Texas Tech-Houston
Saturday, Oct. 4
7 p.m. Eastern, 4 p.m. Pacific
ESPN
In 2025, the Texas Tech Red Raiders have a real chance to make the College Football Playoff, but their journey is only just beginning with two months of games left to play. Texas Tech did score an important road win over Utah, but the Red Raiders will need to stack road wins over the next several weeks in order to feel comfortable in the Big 12 title chase.
Texas Tech has made major national headlines not only by winning a Fox Big Noon Saturday game (against Utah), but by making major investments in the NIL space and in the transfer portal. The Red Raiders have pulled in one of the top-ranked transfer portal classes this year. Coach Joey McGuire has made a name for himself as a recruiter. The Red Raiders have put themselves in position to do something significant, but now comes the real challenge: Playing at a level commensurate with their talent and on-paper rankings.
What adds to the intrigue surrounding this game is that in the modern Big 12 — with Texas and Oklahoma gone to the SEC — there’s no blue-blood powerhouse which annually expects to be great and is accustomed to being the favorite. Texas Tech is not used to having a target on its back, but that’s the situation the Red Raiders face when they travel to Houston. This game will be a test of Tech’s poise, composure, and overall readiness to step forward and take full control of the Big 12 football landscape.
Texas Tech tries to affirm its status as Big 12 favorite
Red Raiders can’t take Houston lightly on the road
This game shapes up favorably for Texas Tech. Houston was fortunate to beat a bad Oregon State team in overtime last week. Houston was outplayed for the first three and a half quarters of that game before scrambling late to forge a desperate, late rally which forced overtime. Houston pulled out the win in the extra period, and barely avoided an embarrassing defeat. Any team which plays Oregon State on even terms does not inspire confidence. Texas Tech, on the other hand, routed Oregon State and covered a 24.5-point spread earlier this season. Oregon State in many ways shows the gulf between these teams.
Texas Tech Red Raiders-Houston Cougars Odds
Hear TJ Rives and Jason Powers break down this game on the 3Dog Thursday Podcast by clicking Play below:
Spread: Texas Tech -11.5 (-105), Houston +11.5 (-115)
Total: 51.5 (Over -105, Under -115)
Underdog moneyline: Houston +350
The fact that Houston was taken into overtime by Oregon State does not reflect well on the Cougars. Texas Tech obliterated Oregon State and therefore looks like the far better team. Some betting analysts might point out that Houston was simply looking past Oregon State last week and had one eye on this game. That could be true, but Houston has not looked especially impressive this season. Taking Houston plus the 11.5 points might seem like a golden opportunity, but we think you should wait until 10 to 15 minutes have been played. Then, and only then, should you consider a live bet on this game.