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Texas vs. Texas Tech Betting: Will Ewers return for Longhorns’ Big 12 opener in Lubbock?
Written by: Eddie Griffin
Last Updated:
Read Time: 4 minutes
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The last few Texas-Texas Tech football matchups have been wild, high-scoring games. Will we get treated to another one this Saturday in one of their final meetings before the Longhorns leave the Big 12 for the SEC?
Saturday’s game in Lubbock is a showdown between two 2-1 teams, and it will see the Longhorns try to win their fifth straight against the Red Raiders.
Last week, Texas bounced back from their close loss to Alabama with a win over UTSA. The Roadrunners led 17-7 in the second quarter, but it was all ‘Horns from there, with Bijan Robinson rushing for 183 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries.
The Red Raiders, meanwhile, could not follow up a double overtime win over ranked Houston with a second straight win over a ranked opponent, falling 27-14 at North Carolina State. Texas Tech actually outgained N.C. State 353-270 and limited Wolfpack QB Devin Leary well, but four turnovers hurt their chances to be more competitive.
It certainly doesn’t get any easier, with a rivalry matchup and a meeting against a third straight ranked opponent as they open their conference campaign at home.
Texas Longhorns vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Matchup Information and Betting Odds
Matchup Information
- Matchup: Texas Longhorns (2-1, 0-0 Big 12, #22 AP/#19 Coaches) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-1, 0-0 Big 12)
- Venue & Location: Jones AT&T Stadium (Lubbock, Texas)
- Date: Saturday, September 24, 2022
- Game Time: 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time (2:30 p.m. local time)
- How to watch Longhorns vs. Red Raiders: ESPN
Texas-Texas Tech Odds
Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other recommended legal online sportsbooks may also appear in this article.
Spread
- Texas -6.5 (-115)
- Texas Tech +6.5 (-105)
Over/Under
- Over 59.5 (-115)
- Under 59.5 (-105)
Moneyline
- Texas -280
- Texas Tech +225
Texas-Texas Tech Prediction and Best Bets
Longhorns vs. Red Raiders Prediction: Texas to win
Longhorns vs. Red Raiders Best Bets: Texas -6.5 (Best Value: -110 at Bovada Sportsbook & BetMGM) & Texas/Texas Tech over 59.5 (Best Value: -109 at BetUS)
Will starting QB Quinn Ewers be back this week for the Longhorns? It was expected that he would miss four to six weeks after suffering an SC joint sprain in his left shoulder in the loss to Alabama.
But Ewers practiced on Monday, so it seems to not be out of the question that he could make a quick return to action.
Even if he doesn’t, Texas Tech will face a real challenge on defense. They held their own against both Houston and NC State, but neither of those teams has a stud in the backfield like Texas does.
Game-by-Game Numbers for Bijan Robinson
- ULM: 10 carries, 71 yards, TD; three catches, 40 yards, TD
- Alabama: 21 carries, 57 yards, TD; three catches, 73 yards
- UTSA: 20 carries, 183 yards, 3 TD; 1 catch, 19 yards
Robinson’s Heisman odds currently sit at +8000 at BetOnline right now, but they won’t stay there if he continues to average 7.64 yards per play (up for 6.43 yards per play last year).
Whether or not the Red Raiders stage a serious upset bid will depend on how clean of a game they play.
They survived three turnovers (including a pick-six) and two missed field goals against Houston, but they did not survive four turnovers (and another pick-six, along with a failed fourth-down conversion attempt inside their own 40).
QB Donovan Smith has thrown five interceptions in 94 attempts in the last two games after throwing only two in 139 attempts last season. Texas’s defense did a very good job against reigning Heisman winner Bryce Young and then again last week against UTSA’s Frank Harris, so they will be prepared for Smith, who can also be active with his feet.
It’s tempting to back the under in this matchup, given what both defenses have already shown against some very good offenses.
But with how unhinged this matchup often is, I feel that would be a rather irresponsible move.
Recent Texas vs. Texas Tech Results
- 2021 (Austin): Longhorns 70, Red Raiders 35
- 2020 (Lubbock): Longhorns 63, Red Raiders 56 (OT)
- 2019 (Austin): Longhorns 49, Red Raiders 24
- 2018 (Lubbock): Longhorns 41, Red Raiders 34
- 2017 (Austin): Red Raiders 27, Longhorns 23
- 2016 (Lubbock): Longhorns 45, Red Raiders 37
- 2015 (Austin): Red Raiders 48, Longhorns 45
The Longhorns won’t destroy the Red Raiders like they did in last year’s game in Austin, in which they scored 63 points in the first three quarters and racked up 639 total yards for the game.
But I do expect Texas to cover and leave Lubbock with a 1-0 record in Big 12 play. Texas Tech made a lot of mistakes against Houston and NC State, and just as they did last week in Raleigh, mistakes will destroy their chances this Saturday.
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