THE REAL ANIMAL SPORTS
Free pick Thanksgiving Day is 2* Texas -1:
Texas Tech is simply rancid defensively allowing 4.24 points and 550 yards a game. Within the Big 12 the Red Raiders have yielded 47.1 and 567 yards a contest. Texas has to win out to qualify for a bowl and while it’s unlikely with a road game at Baylor next, the Horns will be fired up tonight for a state rivalry and their final home game. Texas has a huge edge defensively limiting their last five opponents to a total of 108 points or just over 21 points per game. The Horns beat Oklahoma 24-17 limiting the Sooners to just 278 total yards. Texas is capable of playing ball-control offense In their last five six games they have rushed 51 times or more on four occasions. Plus they have a quality pass defense not allowing more than 234 passing yards in their last five games. The Horns have recorded 32 sacks and have 10 interceptions. Texas Tech has just 15 sacks on the season and is #118 in the nation against the pass. The Red Raiders are #123 in the nation against the run allowing 36 rushing touchdowns. That is right up the alley for the Longhorns, who enter today #37 in the country in rushing averaging 4.9 yards a carry. Plus I like the fact that Texas is off a loss at West Virginia in a game they had a 439 to 379 edge in total yards but lost turnovers 5-1. In their last road game at West Virginia, Texas Tech allowed 300 rushing yards in a 31-26 defeat in Morgantown. Charlie Strong likely fighting for his job. This is typically the time of year the Red Raiders start their free-fall. Texas Tech is 3-21 in their last four games of the season the last five years. Texas may not be as strong offensively as the Red Raiders but in Austin they are averaging 39 points per game. The fact Texas Tech (1-3 SU last four) allows 5.8 yards a carry should enable Texas to keep possession and run the Red Raiders into the ground. The only reason this didn’t qualify as a premium play is because Texas leading rusher D’Onta Foreman is listed as doubtful after finger surgery. But the Horns generally have a stable of quality backs.