Perry Perspective: Oct 20
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Showdown could be a shootout in the Lone Star State
In Texas, football is a religion, and the holiest day of the year just might be this Saturday when No. 10 Texas Tech visits Austin to take on the No. 2 Texas Longhorns (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
This Big 12 showdown will feature two teams who are both 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the conference. Whoever prevails in this contest will assume first place in the Big 12 South and will keep their dreams for a Rose Bowl bid alive.
For the Red Raiders, being ranked No. 10 is unfamiliar territory. In fact, they have not cracked the AP Top-10 since 1977. This week, the BCS rankings debuted and Tech was even higher at No. 7.
The driving force behind the Raiders? success so far this season has been the team?s offense, which ranks No. 1 in the nation posting nearly 54 points per game.
The strongest aspect of the offense has been Tech?s passing attack. The Raiders lead the country in passing yards overall (2,834), offensive yards per game (472.3) and completions per game (37.7).
The captain of the offensive juggernaut is quarterback Cody Hodges. Not surprisingly, the 6-foot-1, 211-pound senior leads the nation in a variety of statistical categories including overall passing yards (2,461), yards per game (410.2), completions (192), and touchdowns (22).
What is somewhat surprising is that Hodges is not really considered a leading candidate for the Heisman. And those who do see him as a candidate view him as a longshot. Perhaps that?s because Tech?s traditionally high-powered offense is usually credited to coach Mike Leach.
Hedges? counterpart on the Longhorns, however, is among the favorites to win the Heisman. Quarterback Vince Young has that rare combination of passing proficiency, rushing ability, and size.
Despite standing 6-foot-5 and weighs 230 pounds, the Longhorns junior has rushed for 413 yards (fourth overall among quarterbacks), 68.8 yards per game (fifth overall) and five touchdowns (tied for third) this season.
Last Saturday, he completed 25 of 29 passes for 336 yards and two TDs in a 42-17 whipping of Colorado. The 22-year-old also ran for 58 yards and an incredible three TDs. In total, he accounted for 82 percent of the Longhorns? offense.
"Vince was as good as I've ever seen him, and probably as good as I've seen," Texas coach Mack Brown told reporters after the game.
Thanks in large part to Young?s heroics, the Longhorns? offense is ranked No. 4 overall in points (45.7 ppg) and No. 8 in offensive yards (494.5 ypg).
On the flipside, Texas also features a standout defense which ranks No. 7 in points allowed (14 ppg) and No. 3 in offensive yards allowed (240 ypg).
The Raiders are not too shabby on defense either ranking No. 14 in points allowed (16.5 ppg).
Although both teams are among the leaders in many statistical categories on offense and defense, the Longhorns are viewed as the better squad by virtue of their tougher schedule.
Texas has faced heavyweights like Colorado, Oklahoma and Ohio State. The Raiders, meanwhile, have had tilts with lightweights Florida International, Indiana State and Sam Houston State (Sam who?).
As such, we currently have the Longhorns listed as heavy favorites at -15.5 in this matchup. And with two prolific offenses squaring off, we have posted the total at a fat 71, which will likely be our highest total of the weekend.
An interesting trend to note is that the Longhorns are 6-0 against the spread (ATS) and 6-0 on the OVER/UNDER so far this season. How long can this streak continue before the odds catch up with them?
The Raiders are 2-2 ATS and 2-2 on the OVER/UNDER.
In their meeting last year, the Longhorns ripped the Raiders 51-21 as 2.5-point road dogs. In that game, Young completed 10 of 15 passes for 142 yards and a TD. He also ran for 158 yards and an unbelievable four TDs.
Texas is 5-1 straight up (4-2 ATS) in their last six meetings with the Raiders.
Other notable games:
Auburn at LSU
No. 16 Auburn (5-1 SU, 4-1 ATS) visits No. 7 LSU (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) in a tussle of SEC Tigers (7:45 p.m. ET, ESPN). We have LSU as a 6.5-point favorite and the total is pegged at 43. The home team is currently riding a 5-0 SU (4-0-1 ATS) win streak in this matchup.
Tennessee at Alabama
In another SEC scuffle, No. 17 Tennessee (3-2 SU, 1-4 ATS) travels to Alabama to take on the rejuvenated No. 5 Crimson Tide (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS). Alabama (6-0 SU, 2-4 ATS) is listed as 3.5-point home favorite and the total is set at a low 38. Together, these two teams are 3-7-1 on the OVER/UNDER so far this season.
BetWWTS.com
Linesmaker at BetWWTS.com
Showdown could be a shootout in the Lone Star State
In Texas, football is a religion, and the holiest day of the year just might be this Saturday when No. 10 Texas Tech visits Austin to take on the No. 2 Texas Longhorns (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
This Big 12 showdown will feature two teams who are both 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the conference. Whoever prevails in this contest will assume first place in the Big 12 South and will keep their dreams for a Rose Bowl bid alive.
For the Red Raiders, being ranked No. 10 is unfamiliar territory. In fact, they have not cracked the AP Top-10 since 1977. This week, the BCS rankings debuted and Tech was even higher at No. 7.
The driving force behind the Raiders? success so far this season has been the team?s offense, which ranks No. 1 in the nation posting nearly 54 points per game.
The strongest aspect of the offense has been Tech?s passing attack. The Raiders lead the country in passing yards overall (2,834), offensive yards per game (472.3) and completions per game (37.7).
The captain of the offensive juggernaut is quarterback Cody Hodges. Not surprisingly, the 6-foot-1, 211-pound senior leads the nation in a variety of statistical categories including overall passing yards (2,461), yards per game (410.2), completions (192), and touchdowns (22).
What is somewhat surprising is that Hodges is not really considered a leading candidate for the Heisman. And those who do see him as a candidate view him as a longshot. Perhaps that?s because Tech?s traditionally high-powered offense is usually credited to coach Mike Leach.
Hedges? counterpart on the Longhorns, however, is among the favorites to win the Heisman. Quarterback Vince Young has that rare combination of passing proficiency, rushing ability, and size.
Despite standing 6-foot-5 and weighs 230 pounds, the Longhorns junior has rushed for 413 yards (fourth overall among quarterbacks), 68.8 yards per game (fifth overall) and five touchdowns (tied for third) this season.
Last Saturday, he completed 25 of 29 passes for 336 yards and two TDs in a 42-17 whipping of Colorado. The 22-year-old also ran for 58 yards and an incredible three TDs. In total, he accounted for 82 percent of the Longhorns? offense.
"Vince was as good as I've ever seen him, and probably as good as I've seen," Texas coach Mack Brown told reporters after the game.
Thanks in large part to Young?s heroics, the Longhorns? offense is ranked No. 4 overall in points (45.7 ppg) and No. 8 in offensive yards (494.5 ypg).
On the flipside, Texas also features a standout defense which ranks No. 7 in points allowed (14 ppg) and No. 3 in offensive yards allowed (240 ypg).
The Raiders are not too shabby on defense either ranking No. 14 in points allowed (16.5 ppg).
Although both teams are among the leaders in many statistical categories on offense and defense, the Longhorns are viewed as the better squad by virtue of their tougher schedule.
Texas has faced heavyweights like Colorado, Oklahoma and Ohio State. The Raiders, meanwhile, have had tilts with lightweights Florida International, Indiana State and Sam Houston State (Sam who?).
As such, we currently have the Longhorns listed as heavy favorites at -15.5 in this matchup. And with two prolific offenses squaring off, we have posted the total at a fat 71, which will likely be our highest total of the weekend.
An interesting trend to note is that the Longhorns are 6-0 against the spread (ATS) and 6-0 on the OVER/UNDER so far this season. How long can this streak continue before the odds catch up with them?
The Raiders are 2-2 ATS and 2-2 on the OVER/UNDER.
In their meeting last year, the Longhorns ripped the Raiders 51-21 as 2.5-point road dogs. In that game, Young completed 10 of 15 passes for 142 yards and a TD. He also ran for 158 yards and an unbelievable four TDs.
Texas is 5-1 straight up (4-2 ATS) in their last six meetings with the Raiders.
Other notable games:
Auburn at LSU
No. 16 Auburn (5-1 SU, 4-1 ATS) visits No. 7 LSU (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) in a tussle of SEC Tigers (7:45 p.m. ET, ESPN). We have LSU as a 6.5-point favorite and the total is pegged at 43. The home team is currently riding a 5-0 SU (4-0-1 ATS) win streak in this matchup.
Tennessee at Alabama
In another SEC scuffle, No. 17 Tennessee (3-2 SU, 1-4 ATS) travels to Alabama to take on the rejuvenated No. 5 Crimson Tide (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS). Alabama (6-0 SU, 2-4 ATS) is listed as 3.5-point home favorite and the total is set at a low 38. Together, these two teams are 3-7-1 on the OVER/UNDER so far this season.
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