Abilene Christian vs Texas Tech Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Abilene Christian Wildcats

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Texas Tech Red Raiders

Recent betting trends in games played between Abilene Christian and Texas Tech

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Abilene Christian vs Texas Tech game

Abilene Christian Wildcats Betting Preview

Last year the Wildcats missed out on bowl game eligibility. Abilene Christian went 5-6 overall with a 3-3 run in United Athletic Conference games. That would put the Wildcats above only North Alabama, Utah Tech and Stephen F. Austin in the conference standings at the end of the season.

Abilene Christian head coach Keith Patterson enters his third season in 2024, and he’ll have some new faces on the sideline as coordinators. They’ll have their work cut out for them in this opener. The Red Raiders haven’t lost to an FCS or Division I-AA opponent since 1988 (North Texas).

Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Preview

Over on the Red Raiders’ side, they managed a 7-6 run in 2023 along with a 5-4 run in a very competitive Big 12. Texas Tech was near the middle of the pack in the conference standings and earned an Independence Bowl berth versus California. The Raiders won that matchup 34-14.

It’s the third season of the Joey McGuire era at Texas Tech, and hopes are fairly high—even after losing eight of the 14 defenders who played at least 300 snaps last year. Running back Tahj Brooks is back on offense though, and he’ll be a major contributor on that side of the ball.

Why the Texas Tech Red Raiders will win

• Texas Tech has won each of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams at Jones AT&T Stadium.
• Texas Tech has covered the spread in 12 of its last 16 games against non-conference opponents at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Texas Tech's last five games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Texas Tech ranked T29th among FBS teams for Q1 points per game last season (7.7).
• Texas Tech ranked T31st among FBS teams for Q3 win percentage last season (.538).

Abilene Christian vs Texas Tech Prediction

I’ll probably still lean toward Texas Tech. Probably also not touching this one, though. It's a pretty hefty line. The Red Raiders have a reasonably high ceiling in 2024 if everything works out, however there are plenty of question marks. Texas Tech has to evolve on offense beyond what Brooks can do. He posted 292 carries last year, which was the most among Power Five RBs.

Three of the Red Raiders’ top four pass-catchers from last season have departed as well. We’ll have to see how well the transfers work out in filling that gap. For now, Texas Tech shouldn’t have too many issues controlling this opener game from start to finish.