Colorado vs. Texas Tech, Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana Tech Predictions: College Football Odds

Is it possible that two of college football’s most famous coaches are undervalued at this point in the season?

Coach Prime and Rich Rod are both sidewalk chalk, and my numbers suggest they don’t apply enough.

Colorado at Texas Tech

Why are the Buffaloes still flying under the national radar?

Coach Deion Sanders and his players were the definition of a “public” team last fall.

All they did was create bulletin board material for their opponents in 2023 and as a result they were coached in the second half of the season.

But this time Colorado is on the rise as we head into the peak of the season.

The Buffs have an ATS of 6-2 this season, which is the fifth-best record among Power Four teams.

Their significant weaknesses from last season have either been masked or corrected.

For example, after Shedeur Sanders suffered a disastrous amount of sacks last season (4.67 per game, 132), he mostly operates with clean pockets.

Colorado ranks 51st in Pro Football Focus’s pass blocking rating, and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has protected Sanders with the screen game and quick strikes inside 10 yards downfield.

Sanders was masterful in this area on throws to the rim (87.5%).

Despite the lack of a running game, CU cracked the top 20 in the passing game, even though everyone knew that Sanders would turn the ball over on almost every play (37.5 attempts per game).

Colorado is averaging just under 37 points per game in Big 12 play, which points to its improved line play and scheme.

Five of Texas Tech’s six conference games have been decided by a single possession, but the Red Raiders are losing oil offensively.

Behren Morton’s QBR has dipped to the low 40s over the last four games after a promising start to the season.

Colorado’s disruptive defense – Havoc (34th), sacks (23rd) and pass breakups (seventh) – will eat him up.

Recommendation: Colorado -4.5.

Jacksonville State at Louisiana Tech

It didn’t happen immediately upon his arrival, but after 32 games as Jacksonville State’s head coach, it’s safe to say that Rich Rodriguez’s offense is now firing on all cylinders.

Rich Rod’s famous spread-option offense is at its most dangerous when he has a crafty dual-threat quarterback and a crucial one-cut running back in his backfield.

Tyler Huff is that quarterback and rising superstar Tre Stewart is the game-changing running back.

In Conference USA play, JSU averaged 47.5 points and 535 yards per game.

Those are easily the best numbers in the conference and the Gamecocks’ running game is the third most productive ground attack in the country (269.6 ypg).

Stewart, in particular, was a clone of Steve Slaton, amassing 694 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns in his last four games.

Louisiana Tech’s front seven has shown fight this season, but hasn’t faced such a dynamic offense all season.

Betting on college football?

In fact, the Bulldogs faced six opponents outside of PFF’s top 90 in offensive quality.

There will be a rude awakening in Ruston on Saturday afternoon.

When Louisiana Tech has the ball, it will be difficult to sled because Jacksonville State is fundamentally solid in tackling (22nd) and red zone defense (29th).

The Bulldogs, on the other hand, love to shoot themselves in the foot.

Sonny Cumbie’s team ranks 131st in offensive success rate, 121st in giveaways and 106th in Havoc rate allowed.

One final note on this game: Rich Rod was a safe bet coming into the game with a residual advantage.

Since taking the reigns at Jacksonville State, he is 7-2 ATS in situations like this.

Recommendation: Jacksonville State -10.