FIU at Texas Tech - 9/18/21 College Football Picks and Prediction
Photo by Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0) vs FIU Panthers (1-1)
Game Info: Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Jones AT&T Stadium)
Betting Odds: Texas Tech Red Raiders -20 -- Over/Under: 56.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The FIU Panthers will travel to Jones AT&T Stadium to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders this Saturday night in College Football action.
The FIU Panthers dropped to 1-1 on the season after being defeated by the Texas State Bobcats, 23-17 in OT, this past Saturday. FIU allowed Texas State to force OT after the Bobcats tied up the game on a 1-yard Brock Sturges TD run early in the 4th quarter and could not answer the Bobcats in OT after Texas State scored on an 11-yard TD run. FIU outgained Texas State by a 400-336 margin, however, lost the turnover battle by a 3-0 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Panthers was QB Max Bortenschlager who completed 17 of 24 passes for 259 yards & 2 TD’s.
On the season, FIU is averaging 32.5 ppg on 497.0 total yards per game (267.5 passing yds/g; 229.5 rushing yds/g). Offensively, FIU has been led by RB D’vonte Price who has rushed for 276 yards & 3 TD’s on 28 carries. QB Max Bortenschlager has completed 60.8% of his passes for 525 yards, 4 TD, & 1 INT. The top receiving threats for Bortenschlager and the Panthers have been Bryce Singleton (8 rec, 168 yards, TD), Tyrese Chambers (7 rec, 146 yards, 2 TD), & Rivaldo Fairweather (5 rec, 74 yards, TD).
Defensively, FIU is holding their opponents to an average of 16.5 ppg on 313.5 total yards per game (180.0 passing yds/g; 133.5 rushing yds/g).
The Texas Tech Red Raiders improved to 2-0 on the season after defeating the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, 28-22, this past Saturday. Texas Tech struggled with turnovers and went into halftime trailing by a 13-7 margin, however, the Red Raiders offense was able to find some success in the 2nd half and held off the Lumberjacks after taking a 28-19 lead on a Xavier White 4-yard TD run with 12:30 left in the 4th quarter. Texas Tech was outgained by Stephen F. Austin by a 375-364 margin and lost the turnover battle by a 4-0 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Red Raiders was RB Tahj Brooks who had 103 rushing yards & 2 TD’s on 11 carries.
On the season, Texas Tech is averaging 33.0 ppg on 370.0 total yards per game (202.5 passing yds/g; 167.5 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Texas Tech has been led by the RB duo of Tahj Brooks (26 att, 237 yards, 4 TD) & Xavier White (11 att, 92 yards, TD). QB Tyler Shough has completed 63.0% of his passes for 405 yards, 2 TD, & 2 INT while also rushing for 1 TD. The top receiving threats for the Red Raiders have been Erik Ezukanma (13 rec, 322 yards, TD), Travis Koontz (4 rec, 28 yards), & Myles Price (2 rec, 14 yards).
Defensively, Texas Tech is holding their opponents to an average of 21.5 ppg on 313.0 total yards per game (258.5 passing yds/g; 54.5 rushing yds/g).
The Panthers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games and just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Red Raiders are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. C-USA opponents, however, are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite.
FIU is not a very good football team and don’t be misled by their early season offensive numbers as most of those came against the Long Island University Sharks in their season opening 48-10 victory. Texas Tech didn’t play their strongest against Texas State, however, this is a very talented offensive team that has former Oregon QB Tyler Shough and a solid rushing duo in Tahj Brooks & Xavier White. Texas Tech had a nice victory earlier this season against Houston and as I think that the offense will be able to find success against a Panthers team that ranked just 117th in rushing defense last season, I’m taking Texas Tech to cover this large spread at home. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Texas Tech Red Raiders -20
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
