Will Big 12 Win Match-Ups Against Power Five? Vegas Big 12 Predictions for Week 3 Here.
Saturday Blitz Vegas Big 12 Predictions Week 3
Arkansas Razorbacks at Texas Tech Red Raiders
Line: Texas Tech by 2
This is a game between two teams who could easily form a rivalry. Arkansas is trying to take a giant leap in its second year with Bret Bielema at the helm, and despite getting blown out by Auburn in the opener, it has shown incredible improvement over last year already. The Razorbacks offense has an incredible rushing attack that allowed it to score 21 points against Auburn and 73 points against Nicholls State, so this is a ground game that can gash you if you’re not careful. Against the weak Texas Tech defense, Arkansas will rely on that to keep the air raid offense from ever getting into rhythm. If the run game succeeds, Texas Tech could be in trouble.
Fortunately for the Red Raiders and Kliff Kingsbury, however, they’ve been able to manage to win these close games that are a little bit more low-scoring than the team would be accustomed to. Texas Tech needs a big day from Davis Webb at quarterback if it is to win this game because Arkansas will kill the clock and limit his plays significantly. The Red Raiders could throw everybody off and turn to Justin Stockton more in the running game after he had an impressive 135 yards on only 8 carries last year. But whether or not he can carry the load for an entire game is up for debate, so Webb will have to come through.
Prediction
Arkansas will have trouble getting back to a bowl game this year while Texas Tech will make one. But that’s only because the Razorbacks are in the toughest division in all of football. They’ll beat the Red Raiders through a strong running game Saturday, showing just how good the SEC West is, as they pull out a quick close one in the fourth quarter on the road.
Arkansas: 24 Texas Tech: 19