Minnesota vs. Texas Tech

The Texas Tech Red Raiders have always been known for offense, especially in the Mike Leach years. It came as a surprise to find them in the top 15 over the first half of the season on defense. Through six games the Red Raiders were 5-1 and allowing 16.3 points per game. Then the wheels fell completely off. While the competition got stronger, no one expected to see a team in the top 15 on defense go on to allow 47.3 ppg in their last six games. That was a 31 ppg increase, and four of the six teams scored 52 or more. Minnesota lost their last two games to come limping in as a bare-bones qualifier at 6-6. This is a team that needed three QBs to get through the season, and struggled to score that is until they got up against a vulnerable defensive team like Purdue where they scored 44 points. I could certainly see them having similar success vs. Texas Tech which makes the almost two TDs loom large here. The Red Raiders have not been a good Bowl team at 1-5 ATS in their last six and at neutral-sites, and are just 2-8 ATS in their last 10. Take the points and Minnesota.