Texas Tech at USF Birmingham Bowl Picks and Predictions 12/23/2017

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Legion Field

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

Legion Field is the venue for the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the USF Bulls on Saturday, December 23, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has USF as 2.5 point favorites. The Bulls are 5-6-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 4-7-0. The Red Raiders are 7-5-0 ATS and their over/under record is 4-8-0.

Valuable Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Trends

The Texas Tech Red Raiders are 4-8-0 against the over/under

The Texas Tech Red Raiders are 7-5-0 against the spread

Important USF Bulls Betting Trends

The USF Bulls are 4-7-0 against the over/under

The USF Bulls are 5-6-0 against the spread

Key Texas Tech Red Raiders Injuries

12/04/17 DB Jaylon Lane Suspension is downgraded to doubtful Saturday vs South Florida
12/04/17 RB Justin Stockton Concussion is probable Saturday vs South Florida
12/04/17 DB Willie Sykes Disciplinary is downgraded to doubtful Saturday vs South Florida
12/03/17 WR Derrick Willies Disciplinary is "?" Saturday vs South Florida
11/13/17 FB Mason Reed Concussion is out indefinitely
11/08/17 DB D.J. Polite-Bray Disciplinary is out for season
11/06/17 DL Houston Miller Leg is out for season
11/06/17 DL Lonzell Gilmore Leg is out for season
08/30/17 LB D'Vonta Hinton Left Team out for season

Key USF Bulls Injuries

11/16/17 WR Deangelo Antoine Ankle is out indefinitely
09/07/17 WR Ryeshene Bronson Shoulder out for season

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Texas Tech Red Raiders have run for 1,699 yards as a unit, which ranks 95th in the nation. They've run 424 times, averaging 4 yards per rush as a unit. The Red Raiders have been penalized on offense 94 times for 889 yards so far this year, which has them 14th in the country in penalties. They are 30th in Division 1 in points scored with 412. They have run 906 plays this year for 5,621 yards, which ranks them 10th in the nation in total offense. The Red Raiders average 6.2 yards per play, which is 36th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 293 1st downs this season, ranking them 15th overall as an offensive unit. Nic Shimonek has completed 296 throws while attempting 434 passes for a completion percentage of 68.2%. He has passed for 3,547 yards this year. He averages 8.7 adjusted yards per throw and 8.2 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 156.

Defensive Statistics

The Red Raiders rush defense has given up 440 attempts for 1,852 yards this season, putting them in 53rd place in the country against the run. They have had 66 penalties for 646 yards on defense this year. That places them 72nd in Division 1. Texas Tech is 97th in college football in points surrendered on defense with 382. They have given up a total of 5,208 yards on D, which is 95th in the nation. The Red Raiders are 73rd in yards per play allowed with 5.7. Opponent offenses have completed 304 throws on 476 attempts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders defense this season, ranking them 127th and 128th in the country. The Texas Tech pass defense has also surrendered a total of 3,358 yards in the air, which is 123rd overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Texas Tech Red Raiders have tried 22 field goals this year and made 10, which is 111th in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 48%. Texas Tech Red Raiders kickers have made 95% of their extra points, going 52 for 55 this season. Their punters have accumulated 2,315 yards on 56 punts, averaging 41 yards per punt. That ranks them 72nd in the NCAA in punting average. Texas Tech is 81st in the country in punt returns with 16. They've totaled 77 punt return yards and average 5.1 yards per return, which is 103rd in D-1. They have returned 28 kicks for 632 yards on special teams, which puts them 86th in kick return yardage. The Red Raiders average 23 yards per kick return and they are 28th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 6,330.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Bulls are 27th in Division 1 in points scored with 421. They have run 919 plays this season for 5,595 yards, which ranks them 74th in the nation in total offense. The USF Bulls average 6.1 yards per play, which is 43rd in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 282 1st downs this year, placing them 24th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground USF has run for 2,919 yards as a team, which ranks 19th in the country. They've run 586 times, averaging 5 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Bulls have been penalized on offense 101 times for 932 yards so far this season, which has them 5th in the nation in penalties. Quinton Flowers has thrown for 2,600 yards this season. He has completed 171 passes on 320 attempts for a completion percentage of 53.4%. His quarterback rating this year is 139.6. He averages 8.1 yards per pass attempt and 8.6 adjusted yards per throw.

Defensive Statistics

USF is 25th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 248. They have surrendered a total of 3,768 yards on D, which is 14th in Division 1. The Bulls are ranked 12th in yards per play allowed with 4.7. Opposing offenses have completed 198 passes on 376 attempts against the USF defense this season, placing them 34th and 70th in the country. The USF Bulls pass defense has also given up a total of 2,378 yards through the air, which is 32nd overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 424 attempts for 1,390 yards this year, putting them in 11th place in D-1 against the run. The Bulls have committed 85 penalties for 748 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 102nd in the nation.

Special Teams Stats

USF is ranked 26th in the nation in punt returns with 23. They've accumulated 226 punt return yards and average 9.8 yards per return, which is 36th in college football. They have returned 28 kicks for 486 yards on special teams, ranking 117th in kick return yardage. The USF Bulls average 18 yards per kick return and they are 29th in the country in all-purpose yards with 6,306. The Bulls have attempted 24 field goals this season and made 20, which is 13th in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 83%. USF kickers have made 92% of their extra points, going 47 for 51 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,506 yards on 59 punts, averaging 43 yards per punt. That places them 47th in Division 1 in punting average.

Who will win tonight's Red Raiders/Bulls college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Red Raiders +2.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink