Against the Spread: Take the Over for OSU-Texas Tech

For the first time all season, Oklahoma State failed to cover the spread against TCU in its conference opener. Despite being a double-digit favorite at home, TCU rolled the Pokes by 13 and handed OSU its first loss of the season in both Vegas and in the loss column.

With a night tilt against Texas Tech in Lubbock scheduled for Saturday, though, it’s fair to guess that betting the over in this one should get you back on the winning track. We’ll see if that means OSU can get back on track, too.

Let’s take a look at this week’s odds.

Against the spread in 2017

• OSU: 3-1 — The Cowboys beat the spread by an average of 17.3 points per game through three weeks of play, but fell short of its double-digit win expectations by losing 44-31 in a sold out Big 12 opener inside Boone Pickens Stadium.

Oklahoma State opened at Vegas Insider as an 8.5-point favorite over the flying tortillas.

• Texas Tech: 3:0 — Tech has covered the spread in each of its three contests by just over 14 points per game. Against Houston as a 7-point underdog on Saturday, they won 27-24.

Advice: Take OSU to cover. This feels like it could be a shootout, but I think only one side will be doing the majority of that damage.

Straight up in 2017

• OSU: 3-1 — OSU’s only contest against a ranked opponent this season resulted in a 13-point stunning loss to TCU.

• Texas Tech: 3-0 — Tech has impressive wins over Arizona State and Houston under its belt, but Oklahoma State is its first ranked challenge of the season.

Advice: Roll Pokes.

Over/Under

• OSU: OSU has combined to hit the over line three times in four contests, including this past weekend against TCU.

• Texas Tech: In three games this season, Texas Tech has fallen on the under side two out of three contests. Really!

Vegas Insider had the over/under line at 78.5 when it opened, and the line has already grown to 81.

Advice: Take the over! All the points!

Bonus picks

• Take Iowa State to cover against Texas — The Cyclones are 6-point underdogs against the Longhorns. In a night game. At Ames. Cover city!

• Take K-State and give the points against Baylor — I was pleasantly surprised to see Baylor give OU a scare in Waco, but this won’t be the case when the Bears and Matt Rhule gets his first taste of action in Manhattan on Saturday afternoon. K-State will win big and cover the 16.5 point spread.

• Ride with Nick Saban to roll over Ole Miss — The Rebels are a complete disaster, and Alabama is fully equipped to steamroll by 50+. A heavy dosage of Bo Scarbrough should do the trick to cover the 27.5 point spread in Tuscaloosa.