Dave's Free Pick ATS—9/12/09 Rice at Texas Tech

Rice (0-1) at Texas Tech (1-0)

Line: Texas Tech -28

Week one of the college football season was not a kind one for the Rice Owls who lost 44-24 to conference foe UAB. The loss broke a seven game win streak for Rice and does not paint a pretty picture for the upcoming schedule.

Rice is using a platoon at quarterback and the early returns are not all that stellar. Rice finished with 391 total yards, but has a couple turnovers and could not get it done on third down (4-of-13).  The Rice run defense was shredded by UAD who averaged 7.6 yards a carry and finished with 295 yards on the ground for the game.

Texas Tech had an easy time with North Dakota State and walked away with a 38-13 victory. The Red Raiders are learning to play without quarterback Graham Harrell and wide receiver Michael Crabtree who have both moved on.

Quarterback Taylor Potts has the helm at quarterback and fits in well with the passing attack that Texas Tech has become known for, but has to improve on his three interception performance last week.  The Tech defense gave up just 207 total yards to North Dakota State.

It has been a while since we have seen Rice as such an underdog, and I think many of their week one issues against a good UAB team can be corrected. Texas Tech will get better as the season moves forward, but it will take some time to get the chemistry going and they will struggle at times early on.  I like Rice to bounce back and put up a fight.

Dave's Pick: Rice +28

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