College Football

Week 1: Texas Tech vs Murray State 9/3/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

Murray State Racers (0-0) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (0-0)
September 3, 2022 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Texas Tech Red Raiders -34.5 / Murray State Racers +34.5; Over/Under: -
(Get latest betting odds)

The Texas Tech Red Raiders and Murray State Racers do battle in week 1 of college football action at Jones AT&T Stadium on Saturday. The Murray State Racers won 6 games last year and enter the third season under coach Dean Hood. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 7 games last year and enter the first season under coach Joey McGuire.

The Murray State Racers averaged 21.5 points and 346.3 yards per game last season. Murray State allowed an average of 25.2 points and 347.3 yards per game last season. DJ Williams returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,000 yards, 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. LaMartez Brooks and Jacob Bell are a returning receiving duo that combined for 600 yards and 1 touchdown, while Damonta Witherspoon led the Racers with 900 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. Defensively, Eric Samuta returns after leading Murray State with 77 tackles, Davontae McKee had 2 sacks and Quinaz Turner had 2 interceptions. The Murray State Racers return a lot of key players from a year ago, and we should see their offense improve by leaps and bounds. With explosive receivers, a near 1,000-yard running back and a more experienced quarterback, Murray State has a chance to put a scare in the OVC this season.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders averaged 30.3 points and 416.8 yards per game last season. Texas Tech allowed an average of 30.2 points and 405.6 yards per game last season. Donovan Smith has a chance to become quarterback after 140 pass attempts last year. Myles Price and Mason Tharp are a returning receiving duo that combined for 700 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Tahj Brooks led the Red Raiders with 500 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson returns after 62 tackles, Tyree Wilson led Texas Tech with 7 sacks and Reggie Pearson Jr. had 1 interception. Texas Tech has a lot of production to replace on both sides of the ball and has a first year head coach. This could be a rebuilding year for the Red Raiders, a program that hasn’t won double-digit games since 2008 when Graham Harrell was quarterback.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders are obviously the more talented team here, but they’re also replacing a lot of players on both sides of the ball, so it could take time to really get the ball rolling. The Murray State Racers have talent on both sides of the ball and legit playmakers on offense who can make plays. This is also a look ahead spot for Texas Tech, with a ranked Houston team on deck next week. This is a ton of points and kind of disrespectful toward Murray State. Give me the points.

Randy Chambers's Free Pick: Murray State Racers +34.5

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Randy Chambers

Randy has covered sports betting since 2014 and writes about everything from NFL to WNBA. Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter.

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