Hey Guys,

Hope everyone is doing well.  Coming off a very profitable weekend indeed.  Lets keep it going!!

Rice @ Texas Tech -27

Lets start with Rice

Yes, they made a huge splash last year going 10-3 SU and 9-4 ATS but team's like Rice can't reload year after year like the BCS teams do.  This is definitely a rebuilding year for the Owls.  They got hit hard by graduation, loosing C-USA player of the year QB Chase Clement, RB Ugokwe and 2 NFL receivers in Dillard and Casey.  This year, the Owls loses 97% of their passing and 93% of their running attack.  The offensive line lost a pair of 4 year starters in C Wilkinson and RG Berken.  The offense will be challenged early in the year to generate points against quality opponents.

The defense returns 9 players from last years unit.  There are three defensive linemen returning along with their 3 starting LB's.  The secondary Lost 3 CB's Douglas, King and Shepard.  They will be replaced with a more experienced group.  Why didn't they start if they had more experience?
Last year's defense allowed 452 YPG and 33 PPG.  I expect similar results this year as this unit maybe on the field more than they are accustom too.

Lets look at Texas Tech

We all now that the Raiders got hit hard by graduation as well.  On offense, the loss of QB Harrell and WR Crabtree will be greatly missed. This team will not be as good as last year's 11-2 record. That is a given!!   Saying that -- Mike Leach's QBs always have great stats.  Replacing Harrell will be QB Taylor Potts who actually has a little better size (6'5", 215 lbs) and more experience than Harrell did when he took over.  It's never easy replacing a career passing leader but Potts should be fine.  They lost a few on the offensive line but they do return some experience and one of their top OL Carter from last year.  This unit will be down a few notches but still a top-notch unit.

The defensive line should be fine with returning experience and a few transfers.  The LB's will be solid as they return a very experienced group.  They should be fine against the run this year.  The secondary lost their top 2 DBs but return two starters as well.  This unit will drop a bit this year.

The major difference between Rice and Texas Tech is that the Raiders will reload with experience rather than totally rebuilding this year.  Rice showed us they still can't stop anyone as they got torched for 44 points, 516 yards against UAB last week.  They were down 27-3 at halftime.  UAB has a power rating of 65, Rice 62 and Texas Tech 80.  The Raiders are in a different league here -- enough said.  This Rice defense will make the Raider faithful forget about Harrell in this game.  With the Longhorns on deck next week, I expect the Raiders to come out and put this game away in the first half.  I expect Texas Tech to score 35 points in the 1st half.  Lets give Rice 10 points just in case of a foolish turnover or two.

Get on these early -- I plan to wager the 1h as soon as it comes out!!

Key Trend >>> Texas Tech is 9-1 before Texas

Play Texas Tech 1st Half  (I expect -17) --  5* Play  TEX TECH 35-10 Halftime

Play Texas Tech Team Total OVER (I expect around 42) -- 4* Play


GL,


Rockman