Pick details
| MATCHUP | Houston Cougars | Texas Tech Red Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 2-0 | 2-0 |
| Spread | +7.5 -110 | -7.5 -110 |
| Moneyline | +260 | -325 |
| Total | Over 52.5 (-112) | Under 52.5 (-108) |
| Where | Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX | |
| When | Friday, September 18, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | FOX | |
Texas Tech Red Raiders Preview
Texas Tech has a 2-0 record this season and are coming off a 35-24 road win against Oregon State. Offensively, Texas Tech averages 33 points per game, ranking 67th in the nation, while defensively, they allow 34 points per game, which is 110th. Texas Tech averages 411.5 total yards per game (247.5 passing and 164 rushing), while allowing 333 total yards per game (65 rushing and 268 passing).
Will Hammond leads Texas Tech with 487 passing yards with 76.7% completed passes and 2 touchdowns. J’Koby Williams leads the team in rushing yards with 187, while J’Koby Williams has a team-high 10 receptions for 73 receiving yards. Defensively, Ben Roberts has a team-high 15 total tackles (10 of them solo), while Jamond Mathis leads the team in sacks, with 2.5.
Houston Cougars Preview
Houston has a 2-0 record this season and are coming off a 77-6 home win against Southern. Offensively, Houston averages 55 points per game, ranking 11th in the nation, while defensively, they allow 13 points per game, which is 24th. Houston averages 562 total yards per game (254 passing and 308 rushing), while allowing 261.5 total yards per game (10 rushing and 251.5 passing).
Conner Weigman leads Houston with 425 passing yards with 69% completed passes and 4 touchdowns. Makhi Hughes leads the team in rushing yards with 142, while Amare Thomas has a team-high 11 receptions for 162 receiving yards. Defensively, Kentrell Webb has a team-high 9 total tackles (8 of them solo), while Javion White leads the team in sacks, with 2.
Houston Cougars @ Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Trends: Week 3
Why the Texas Tech Red Raiders will win
- Texas Tech has won each of its last 11 games in Texas.
- Houston has lost each of its last seven games against top-15 AP-ranked teams.
- Texas Tech has covered the spread in each of its last six games against conference opponents.
- Houston has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five September games as an underdog.
- Texas Tech has won the first half in each of its last 13 games in Texas.
- Texas Tech has won the first quarter in each of its last 10 games at Galaxy Stadium.
Why the Houston Cougars will win
- The team ranked 22nd in the AP Poll has won each of its last six games.
- Texas Tech has lost 36 of its last 45 games against AP-ranked teams.
- Houston has covered the spread in each of its last five road games against conference opponents.
- Texas Tech has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games.
- The team ranked 22nd in the AP Poll has won the first quarter in each of its last five games.
- Houston has won the first half in each of its last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Houston’s last seven games as an underdog against teams from Texas have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of Texas Tech’s last four games against AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 3, J’Koby Williams ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.
Houston Cougars Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 3, Conner Weigman ranks T14th in the league for TD:INT ratio (4.00) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Texas Tech ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Texas Tech ranks T1st among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage this season (100.0).
- Houston ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Houston ranks 1st among FBS teams for rushing yards allowed per game this season (10.0).
Houston vs Texas Tech Prediction
In this Houston vs Texas Tech Prediction, Texas Tech is coming as -8.5 home favorites. Both teams have been undefeated this season but Houston is looking much better both offensively and defensively, having a +32 point differential, while Texas Tech has failed to cover the spread in both of its games. On top of that, Texas Tech has a negative point differential this season and I am not willing to lay almost double digits as a favorite, even at home. I like Houston in this one and I expect them to keep it close and cover the +8.5 point spread.
Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Houston +8.5
