The No. 5 Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) and the Cincinnati Bearcats (4-2, 1-2) meet Saturday at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET (FS1). Let's analyze college football odds around the Texas Tech vs. Cincinnati odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
Texas Tech leads the all-time series 1-0-1
The Red Raiders won 44-41 in Lubbock in 2024 in the only previous meeting as Big 12 members. The teams tied 10-10 in a 1968 meeting in Lubbock, so this is the first meeting in Cincinnati.
The Red Raiders punished the Arizona State Sun Devils 53-25 Saturday as a 16.5-point favorite as the Over (50.5) cashed. QB Will Hammond threw for 232 yards and a TD, while running for another.
RB J'Koby Williams rolled up 165 yards and 2 TDs. Texas Tech has covered the past 3 games after opening 0-3 against the spread (ATS), while the Over is 4-1 in 5 games against FBS opponents, too.
The Bearcats lost a 45-42 heartbreaker Saturday at the West Virginia Mountaineers as a 1.5-point underdog as the Over (64.5) cashed. QB JC French IV threw for 389 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs, while running for 42 yards and a score. After a 4-0 straight up (SU) start, and 3-1 ATS run in those games, Cincinnati is 0-2 SU/ATS in the past 2 outings. The Over is also 4-1 in the past 5 games.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Texas Tech at Cincinnati odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 5:21 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Texas Tech -450 (bet $450 to win $100) | Cincinnati +340 (bet $100 to win $340)
- Against the spread: Texas Tech -11.5 (-110) | Cincinnati +11.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Texas Tech at Cincinnati picks and predictions
Prediction
Texas Tech 36, Cincinnati 27
Moneyline
Texas Tech (-450) will set you back 4 1/2 times your potential return, and that's way too much risk for not nearly enough reward in a road game. Even if you were able to toss this into a multi-leg parlay, including the Red Raiders would decrease the value of your overall return significantly.
PASS.
Against the spread
CINCINNATI +11.5 (-110) catching double digits at home is quite a bit.
While the Bearcats have dropped 2 in a row, both of those setbacks were on the road. At Nippert Stadium this season, UC is a 3-0 SU/ATS, including a 31-26 upset win over the Kansas State Wildcats as a 6.5-point underdog Sept. 26 in the Big 12 opener.
Texas Tech is 1-1 ATS in 2 road games, and it is 3-2 ATS in 5 games as a double-digit favorite.
Over/Under
OVER 56.5 (-115) is a strong play, with both teams cashing the Over at a 4-1 clip in the past 5 games.
Texas Tech can strike quickly, and it has scored at least 28 points in every game, while averaging 32.0 points per game in 2 games on the road. It has also allowed 24+ points in 3 of 5 games against FBS opponents.
Cincinnati has scored 31+ points in 5 of 6 games, while conceding 26+ in each of the past 4 outings.
Best prop bet
TEXAS TECH DEFENSE - ANYTIME TD SCORER (+400 on FanDuel).
Let's roll the dice on the Red Raiders housing one here. Texas Tech has at least 1 Pick-6 in 3 consecutive outings, including 4 across the span. LB Austin Romaine had a pair of Pick-6s on 2 consecutive plays in a Sept. 26 game against Sam Houston State. For the chance to 4X, let's give it a shot.
Betting odds calculator
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Follow Daniel Dobish on X at @danieledobish. Follow SportsbookWire on X at SportsBookWire and on Facebook.
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Texas Tech Red Raiders at Cincinnati Bearcats odds, picks and predictions
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