Embracing a near impossible challenge is Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke. Though this may be his plight he embraces it with great enthusiasm. So too is a heart felt love for his school. What’s more Luke played for Ole Miss. Consequently, he is the right fit in the midst of NCAA sanctions. To be exact Ole Miss is banned from a bowl game this year. While playing in the brutally tough SEC. Subsequently the Rebels will be perpetual dogs with the college football betting odds. Luke will match wits against a coach under the gun opening day.
Ole Miss Rebels vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Date and Time: Saturday, September 1, 2018, Noon ET
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston Texas
College Football Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | +2 (-110) | 67 (-110) |  |
| Texas Tech | -2 (-110) | 67 (-110) | |
| |||
Ole Miss vs. Texas Tech TV Coverage: ESPN
Uphill Battle Ahead
Certainly, Luke faces an uphill battle for 2018. At the same time Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury is on one of the hottest seats in the land. Even though Kingsbury is also coaching at the school he starred for as a quarterback. Initially his hiring was celebrated by Red Raider fans in 2012. Balanced against that was his youth and inexperience. For example, Kingsbury was only 33 when he took the job. And was also never a head coach. Yet Tommy Tuberville’s departure enraged the Texas Tech faithful. Furthermore, Tuberville was seen as old and dull.
Kliff Kingsbury
Not withstanding an 8-5 first season Kingsbury’s tenure has been a disappointment. As a matter of fact, the Red Raiders have finished with losing records in three of the last four years. Indeed, it took a 27-23 win at Texas to save Kingsbury’s job. Extending the drama was that Tech trailed 23-10 in the fourth quarter. Supplementing the current heat was a 38-34 loss to South Florida in the Birmingham Bowl. While defense has usually been the problem for the Red Raiders it improved last year. On the other hand, offensive production surprisingly dropped off for 2017.
Texas Tech Question Marks
Certainly, Tech’s offense is normally a college football betting odds asset. But they face uncertainty entering this opening game. Certainly, there are many question marks about quarterback and the receivers. To illuminate 70% of last year’s receiver production is gone. Equally important that starting quarterback is not yet certain. In particular McLane Carter and Jett Duffey are competing for the starting gig. Defensive coordinator David Gibbs impressed all. To show the Red Raiders shaved 11 points per game against off their 2016 average.
Team vs. Team
Now Ole Miss has been a weak sportsbook underdog for quite some time. In this situation they have paid in just three of nine games. Additionally, eight of their last nine as pups went over the total. Conversely Tech has been a somewhat reliable chalk recently. For instance, the Red Raiders have lost just four of 15 when laying points. Just six of those games went under the total.
Matchup to Watch
A further look at this matchup gives the edge to Texas Tech. Concurrently Ole Miss is in a bad predicament with NCAA sanctions. In addition, Texas Tech should be improved and motivated. They are also reliable college football betting odds chalks.
College Football Betting Odds Picks
To summarize Texas Tech has more to play for. On the whole their lineup should be more talented and deeper.
College Football Betting Online Pick: Texas Tech Red Raiders
College Football Betting Online Score Prediction: Texas Tech 35, Ole Miss 24
Check out Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury address his plight at Big 12 media days!