LSU vs Texas Tech Texas Bowl Betting Preview

Posted by Alex Murphy on Monday,December 28, 2015 12:48, EDT in

When Texas Tech and LSU meet in the 2015 Advocare Texas Bowl, it’s going to be a classic matchup of offense versus defense! Pat Mahomes and the Texas Tech Red Raiders will look to use their high-powered offense to take down the LSU Tigers and Leonard Fournette when they square off on Tuesday, December 29 at 9:00 PM ET, live from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Now, let’s check the college football odds and determine which team is the right pick!

How To Bet the Tigers vs Red Raiders Texas Bowl NCAA Football Odds, TV & Game Info

When: 9:00 PM ET, Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
NCAAF Odds: LSU -7
O/U: 73.5

Texas Tech is a 7-point underdog to upset LSU while the game’s O/U Total sits at 73.5 LSU is a -230 pick against the Moneyline while Texas Tech is a +240 Moneyline pick.

Why Bet The Texas Tech Red Raiders Odds at +7

Because they have the far more dangerous offense and can score on anyone! The Red Raiders ranked second in the nation in scoring by averaging a jaw-dropping 46.6 points per game. Thanks to the competent passing of quarterback Pat Mahomes II, Texas Tech also ranked first in passing by averaging a stellar 389.7 yards per game through the air.

Mahomes II had a fantastic season in completing a blistering 65.0 percent of his passes for 4,283 passing yards (third) while tossing 32 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions. The Red Raiders won their final two regular season games including their 48-45 squeaker of a road win over Texas in their finale.

“I think the last two games, (we) played our best football and felt like that is what we wanted to do and have a month to continue to try to get better and play one of the best teams we will have played all year,” coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters. “I like where we are at, but know that it is a big challenge ahead of us.” Kingsbury’s squad could use the extra time to work on the defense, which gave up 44.5 points in its final two games.

Why Bet The LSU Tigers Odds at -7

Because they’ve got Leonard Fournette! LSU was on track to lock down a berth in the four-team playoff – before falling completely apart late in the season, starting with their humbling 30-16 road loss at Alabama on Nov. 7.  That loss started a three-game slide that ruined the Tigers’ season.

LSU managed to beat Texas A&M 19-7 in its regular season finale and now wants to close out its ‘lost’ season with a bowl game win. LSU averages 30.7 points per game (54th) and ranked 10th in the nation in rushing (173.1 ypg) thanks to the often jaw-dropping campaign of running back Leonard Fournette. The bruising sophomore rushed for 1,741 yards and 18 touchdowns, but the Tigers’ aerial attacked struggled all season as they finished 111th in passing (173.1 ypg).

Quarterback Brandon Harris struggled in completing a dismal 53.1 percent of his passes this season while throwing for 1,904 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions.

My Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

I have  no idea why 60 percent of the betting public likes LSU to win this game and get the ATS cover, but I don’t! I’m going to back the Texas Tech Red Raiders to get the ‘W’ and ATS cover mostly  because their strength (passing) fits perfectly against LSU’s weakness (pass defense). Not only that, but the Tigers struggle to score the ball with inconsistent Brandon Harris under center. LSU is 0-4 ATS in its last four bowl games while Texas Tech has gone 10-4-1 ATS in its last 15 games and 6-2 ATS in its last eight games following an ATS win.

I might be in the minority, but like the Texas Tech Red Raiders to beat LSU in a shootout.

My final score prediction: Texas Tech 38 LSU 35