Texas Tech at TCU College Football Free Picks

College football predictions will take center stage when the TCU Horned Frogs host the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a Week 9 Big 12 battle between two teams that could surprise in a big way in 2016. Now, let’s find out which team will win and cash in.

Analyzing The Texas Tech Red Raiders at TCU Horned Frogs College Football Free Picks

When: Saturday, October 29, 2016 Time: TBD Where: Amon G. Carte Stadium, Forth Worth, TX NCAAF Odds: TCU -8.5 TCU entered last season as one of the favorites to win the Big 12 and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff but injuries and roster turnover on defense prevented coach Gary Patterson’s team from claiming the conference title. Even with the departure of quarterback Trevone Boykin and a revamped offensive line, the Horned Frogs aren’t expected to take too much of a step back in the win column in 2016. Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill is locked into a tight battle with Foster Sawyer for the starting quarterback job, and the winner of this competition will inherit a talented group of skill players. The defense improved over the course of 2015 and could be the best in the Big 12 this fall. If all of the pieces fall into place, TCU could challenge for double-digit wins for the third consecutive season. Having Patrick Mahomes – one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12 – will be a big help, but will those around him make the offense flourish? Texas Tech must replace standout receiver Jakeem Grant and running back DeAndre Washington, and the offensive line has to be rebuilt. Coach Kliff Kingsbury is an offensive mastermind, but the defense also has to make major strides in 2016. Coordinator David Gibbs is in his second year and should ease the growing pains of a young defense.

Bet The Texas Tech Red Raiders at +8.5 Because…

Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-6 SU, 7-6 TS) was absolutely phenomenal in finishing second in total offense and second in scoring (45.0 ppg) in 2015 as they set a new school record for points scored under head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Better yet, the Red Raiders return a ton of talent starting with underrated quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The 6-3, 215-pounder threw for a whopping 4,653 yards and 36 touchdowns and could lead the nation in passing in 2016. Texas Tech lost leading receiver Jakeem Grant, leading rusher DeAndre Washington and left tackle Le’Raven Clark, but they’ve got a boatload of talent and look well-prepared to replace all three departed starters. At tailback, Justin Stockton will likely start and there is tons of talent at the wide receiver position. The offensive line will be young and they will need to come together early to protect their star quarterback. Defensively, Texas Tech was a complete mess a year ago in giving up an insane 43.6 points per contest (125th). The Red Raiders surrendered the most points (43.6 ppg) in school history while allowing a mind-boggling 281.2 rushing yards per game. Still, there is talent on the roster in the form of defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko, linebacker D’Vonta Hinton and safety Jah’Shawn Johnson. Notre Dame defensive end transfer Kolin Hill and Michigan nose tackle transfer Ondre Pipkins are expected to contribute right away this coming season, so the Red Raiders almost assuredly won’t be any worse than they were a year ago, though the secondary is young.

Bet The TCU Horned Frogs at -8.5 Because…

TCU has won 23 of their last 26 games and has been almost as elite as any team in the country the past two seasons. Unfortunately, the Horned Frogs will be without superstar quarterback Trevone Boykin and wide receiver Josh Doctson when they kick off their 2016 season. Now, head coach Gary Patterson will turn to either Kenny Hill or Foster Sawyer t take over for Boykin in an explosive that has averaged more than 40 points each of the last two seasons. Wide receivers KaVontae Turpin, Jaelan Austin and Jarrison Stewart combined for 76 catches, 1,051 yards and 11 touchdowns as freshmen and all will have a shot to replace Doctson in the starting lineup. The bad news is that TCU must replace four starters on the offensive line and needs to find a new starting running back to replace Aaron Green. Defensively, the Horned Frogs will be led by an experienced group of linebackers in Travin Howard, Ty Summers and Montrel Wilson, although Howard and Wilson will both be making the switch from safety. The defensive line and secondary will both be inexperienced in 2016, but there is potential in the forms of defensive end with Josh Carraway, the team’s sack leader in 2015 and James McFarland, the 2014 sack leader.

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

I like TCU a lot, even though they let me down in their quest to reach the national championship the last two years. Still, they’re not my pick, nor should they be yours, to beat an explosive Texas Tech squad by the nine points or more it will take to cover the college football betting line in this Week 9 affair. The one certainty in this matchup is that Texas Tech will almost assuredly have the best quarterback on the field in Patrick Mahomes and for me, that will be the deciding factor that helps the Red Raiders easily cover the spread in a matchup that looks like an aerial attack just waiting to happen. While it’s possible that former Texas A&M starter Kenny Hill could fulfill all of his potential this coming season, right now, my money is on Texas Tech to cover the spread with room to spare. These two Big 12 rivals have split the last four meetings evenly, but the Rd Raiders are 3-1 ATS over the span dating back to 2012 and I believe they’re going to cover again as Patrick Mahomes outguns whoever starts under center for the Horned Frogs. My Week 9 college football predictions picks says back the Texas Tech Red Raiders to cover, by beating the Horned Frogs outright in a thriller!

My Pick: Texas Tech 49 TCU 45