TCU at SMU Betting Spread & Prediction

It’s the battle of the Dallas area on Friday night as TCU plays its final non-conference game before diving into full Big 12 action as the Frogs visit neighboring SMU, which is looking for its signature win under second-year coach Chad Morris. However, TCU is a big favorite in online college football lines.

Let’s Take a Quick Look at the TCU at SMU Betting Spread, Prediction & TV Info

Trust the process. #BeatSMU pic.twitter.com/BBDB5O1IPF

— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) September 19, 2016

When: Friday, Sept. 23, 8 PM ET Where: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas TV: ESPN Opening NCAA Football Lines: TCU -20.5 (64)

Why Bet on TCU?

The Frogs (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 overtime loss to Arkansas, which knocked them out of the Top 25, with a 41-20 Big 12 win over a terrible Iowa State team on Saturday. Kyle Hicks ran for 117 yards with a long touchdown and also scored on a 25-yard catch. Kenny Hill threw for 219 yards with a touchdown while running for 28 yards and another score while playing only three quarters. The Frogs had 481 yards of offense. TCU ran for 229 yards to improve to 81-5 under Coach Gary Patterson when rushing for at least 200 yards. TCU scored for the 296th consecutive game. It’s the nation’s second-longest current streak and fourth all-time in NCAA history. The Horned Frogs haven’t been blanked since Nov. 16, 1991 at Texas (32-0). A first-quarter sack by Mat Boesen, in his Horned Frogs’ debut, extended TCU’s school record streak to 33 games with at least one sack. It is the second-longest active streak in the nation, behind only Ohio State with 37. However, receiver and returner KaVontae Turpin sustained an apparent left leg injury and had to be helped off the field the play before Hicks' TD catch. Turpin entered the game the national leader with 236 all-purpose yards per game, but had only two caches for 8 yards and one kickoff return for 28 yards. Patterson offered no update Turpin on Monday. The Horned Frogs hold a 48-40- 7 edge over the Mustangs in a series that began with a 43-0 TCU win in Fort Worth in 1915. TCU has won eight of the last nine games with SMU and 14 of 16. TCU’s last visit to SMU in 2014 resulted in a 56-0 victory for the most lopsided game in the series.

Why Bet on SMU?

The Mustangs (2-1) beat Liberty 29-14 on Saturday. Braeden West rushed for 220 yards and two touchdowns, the second on a 66-yard dash. Ben Hicks was 19 of 32 passing for SMU, amassing 209 yards through the air, but he was picked off twice. The Mustangs ground game ran for 286 yards — more yards than Liberty had in total. West’s rushing total ranks fifth in program history and is currently tied for the fifth-best rushing total in an FBS game this season. It was the first 200-yard game at SMU since Zach Line was 30-202 with a touchdown vs. Marshall in 2010 and the first 200-plus yard, multiple-TD performance since ShanDerrick Charles was 27-212 with four TDs vs. UTEP in 2001. SMU has 1,472 yards of total offense in the first three games (572 at North Texas, 405 at Baylor, 495 vs. Liberty) for an average of 490.7 yards per game. Last season, SMU averaged 382.8 yards through three games, so the total represents a 28% improvement year-over- year. SMU had 4 interceptions (Rodney Clemons, Horace Richardson, Jordan Wyatt 2) vs. Liberty. The 4 interceptions are the most by SMU in a game since 6 vs. Houston in 2012. The Mustangs have multiple interceptions in each game this season (3 at UNT, 2 at Baylor). SMU has 9 interceptions in the first three games (H. Richardson & Wyatt have 3 each) whereas the team had 10 total in 2015. TCU is the most-played opponent all-time for the Mustangs, ahead of Rice (90) and Baylor (82). SMU’s last win over TCU was in 2011.

My Betting Pick

Over is 6-1- 1 in the last 8 meetings. Underdog is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings. Horned Frogs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 meetings. SMU won’t win this high-scoring game but will cover in online NCAA Football betting.