Texas makes the trip to Lubbock this weekend with the lowest expectations they could possibly carry. The Longhorns are a 24.5-point underdog to the Red Raiders, and we swear that ain’t a typo. Maybe someone could explain how a team like Texas Tech, who’s coming off of a 55-point loss to TCU, can be a 24.5 favorite to a team they’re trailing in the Big 12.
Have things fallen that far for the Longhorns? Is Texas Tech just as good of a team as Kansas State? To those, we answer: yes and no. The Longhorns are currently scraping the bottom of its program’s history, but Saturday’s game figures to be much different than last week’s affair against Kansas State.
Texas Tech’s head coach Kliff Kingsbury is the diametric opposite of KSU’s Bill Snyder, a young and good-looking, pass-happy players coach. The Red Raiders have a prolific passing offense that doesn’t necessarily translate into scoring and a compost heap of a defense. Texas Tech is a watered-down version of the squads we saw under Mike Leach – albeit in nicer packaging. Their defense ranks 126th overall in the NCAA FCS. They gave up 35 points to Central Arkansas and, I repeat, are somehow favored over UT by 24.5 points.
The disrespect card gets played way too often in sports, but in this case the oddsmakers in Las Vegas are doing the Longhorns a favor by giving them a reason to practice just a little bit harder and hold their blocks just a little bit longer. Now I fully admit that Vegas is quite a bit smarter than I am, so I’m assuming they know something that I don’t. It’s a night game for Texas Tech and day-drinking in Lubbock is one hell of a thing. It figures to be a blackout for the fans in terms of their fans’ attire and state of consciousness. The Longhorns should expect a hostile environment.
Charlie Strong admitted that he hasn’t done a great job coaching this year, and if he loses to the Red Raiders by three touchdowns it’ll be tough to disagree. But he’s not exactly stacked with personnel these days. Here’s assuming this point spread has something to do with Texas’ offensive line being built with popsicle sticks and tape. None of these issues are new, however. The Longhorns are the most experienced team in college football in terms of how to play without good linemen. They’ll have to prove that point Saturday. It’s pitchfork season here in Austin if Texas loses by three touchdowns.
This article appears in Dan Patrick.