It was a tale of two outcomes for the combatants in Texas Tech at Kansas State week 5 betting. The Wildcats were (one of) the darlings of the college football world a week ago, when they went into Norman and escaped with a 38-35 win over Oklahoma as four TD underdogs.
Texas Tech on the other hand had a 14 point lead over Texas with just a little over 3 minutes to go but ended up losing 63-56 in overtime. The Red Raiders were a +17.5 home underdog so it was a good showing, but a devastating loss nonetheless. Oddsmakers are calling Saturday’s meeting close, making K-State a -2 point favorite, in what should be another high scoring outing with a betting total of 63.5.
TTU Has Some Things to Button Up
We’d be talking about the Red Raiders a lot different heading into Texas Tech at Kansas State week 5 betting if their defense could’ve held Texas once over the last 3:19 and OT last week. Instead of focusing on the positives of putting up 56 on the Longhorns, instead the narrative is now focused on the glaring weaknesses of Matt Wells’ team.
It’s not just last week that has Texas Tech backers concerned. The Red Raiders had to squeak out a 35-33 win over Houston Baptist in their opener, as a whopping 40 point favorite. HB’s quarterback Bailey Zappe was 30-49 in that game with 567 yards and 4 TD. That makes Texas’ QB Sam Ehlinger’s 262 yard, 5 TD performance look pedestrian.
Texas Tech can’t stop anybody through the air, and Kansas State QB Skylar Thompson had 18/25, 334 yard performance vs. Oklahoma last week. 43% of bettors still like the Red Raiders on Saturday afternoon mostly because their offense can put up points as well. Alan Bowman threw for 325 yards and 5 TD vs. Texas, but also had 3 INTs.
Upon my rewatch of #TEXvsTTU I conservatively counted 19 missed tackles by #Texas’ defense. Nearly 38% (167 yds) of Texas Tech’s total yardage was a direct result of missed tackles by the #Longhorns on defense. Two of Tech’s offensive TDs came on plays w/ multiple missed tackles.
— Rod Babers (@rodbabers) September 27, 2020
Which Kansas State Team Shows Up?
The Wildcats are 2-point favorites on Saturday afternoon but they are very much susceptible to the ‘letdown game’ after beating the Sooners last week as 28 point underdogs. This is also a K-State team that was upset 35-31 at home in their opener as 15 point favorites.
On the bright side, Texas Tech will be making their first road trek of the season. The Red Raiders also has a defense giving up 417 passing yards/game. Thompson is completing nearly 65% of his passes and has 3 TD and 0 INT.
The Wildcats definitely do have their hands full with the Texas Tech passing game that is 7th in the country in yards/game with 377.5. The Wildcat secondary did intercept Spencer Rattler three times last week though.
Texas Tech at Kansas State Week 5 Betting Free Pick
The Red Raiders have had their struggles with Kansas State, losing four straight meetings including 30-27 in Lubbock a season ago. The Wildcats are prone for a letdown, but that just doesn’t happen against the Texas Tech defense.
Kansas State 38 Texas Tech 31
Free Pick: Kansas State -2
