FIU Panthers vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Prediction, Odds and Preview - 09/18/2021

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 18, 2021

Venue:  Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX

Where to Watch:  ESPN+

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Panthers +20.5, Red Raiders -20.5; Over/Under:  54 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Panthers +20, Red Raiders -20; Over/Under:  54.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Panthers +20, Red Raiders -20; Over/Under:  54 points

 

FIU Panthers:  1-1 (4th place, C-USA East)

Texas Tech Red Raiders:  2-0 (4th place, Big 12)

 

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FIU Panthers:  Lost at home on Sep. 11 against the Texas State Bobcats 23-17 in OT.

Texas Tech Red Raiders:  Won at home on Sep. 11 against the SFA Lumberjacks 28-22.

 

 

 

Last season the FIU Panthers averaged a 44.6% completion percentage, 123.4 passing yards, and 1 touchdown per game through the air. They also averaged 160.4 rushing yards and 1.6 touchdowns per game on the ground. The Texas Tech Red Raiders were averaging a 65.1% completion percentage, 266.7 passing yards, and 1.8 touchdowns per game through the air. They also averaged 163.4 rushing yards and 1.7 touchdowns per game on the ground.

 

 

Last season the FIU Panthers were allowing teams a 64% completion percentage, 187.2 passing yards, and 1.2 touchdowns per game through the air. They also allowed 235.6 rushing yards and 2.2 touchdowns per game on the ground. The Texas Tech Red Raiders were allowing teams a 63.6% completion percentage, 258.5 passing yards, and 1.7 touchdowns per game through the air. They also allowed 186.4 rushing yards and 2.4 touchdowns per game on the ground.

 

The Florida International Panthers are coming into this game with a 1-1 record and have yet to play any conference games on the schedule, this being another non-conference matchup. They won their first game of the college football season on the road in a blowout against the the Long Island Post Pioneers and then followed that one up with an overtime loss at home to the Texas State Bobcats. Quarterback Max Bortenschlager played alright in that game completing 17/34 passes for 259 yards and 2 touchdowns. D'Vonte Price had a very nice day on the rush as he led the team with 111 rushing yards on 23 carries. Tyrese Chambers led the team in receiving with 79 yards and 1 touchdown. Jamal Gates led the defense with 5 solo tackles and 2 assisted ones along with 1 sack. Daniel Jackson led the team in sacks with 2. FIU has scored 65 points in their first 2 games and have allowed their opponents to score 33 points against them. Their offense is averaging 498.5 YPG while their defense is allowing 315 YPG.

Texas Tech is coming into this game with a 2-0 record overall and will be playing their 3rd non-conference game in a row. They won their first college football game of the regular season on the road against the Houston Cougars and then followed that up with a home win against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. Tyler Shough struggled in their last game completing 11/21 passes for 163 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Tahj Brooks had a great day in the run game as he led the team in rushing with 115 yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 carries. Xavier White also had a good game with 70 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on 5 carries. Erik Ezukanma led the team in receiving with 144 yards and 1 TD on 6 receptions but no one else really did much for them in receiving. Reggie Pearson led the defense with 6 solo tackles and 1 assisted one. Texas Tech has scored 66 points in their first 2 games and have allowed their opponents to score 43 points against them. Their offense has been averaging 369.5 YPG while their defense has been allowing 313 YPG.

Texas Tech did not impress in their last game at all. Even though they came out with the win, they allowed SFA to score 22 points only winning that game by 6 points. The FIU Golden Panthers have not really played any tough competition in their first 2 games either though. Both teams are going to score here as the defenses have not been performing well so a bet on the over is the way to go in this game. 

 

Panthers Red Raiders Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 18, 2021 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Red Raiders 45 Panthers 28.

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FIU Panthers: 5-13 ATS in all games. 1-7 ATS after playing a game at home. 

Texas Tech Red Raiders: 2-7 ATS as a favorite. 2-0 ATS after a win by 6 or less points.

 

 

FIU Panthers:  S. Thornton (WR) Ques Sat - Throat injury.

Texas Tech Red Raiders:  S. Thompson (RB) Ques Sat - Shoulder injury.

 

 

FIU Panthers: D’Vonte Price is one player to watch in these away games. He leads the team in rushing yards and in touchdowns so look for him to make an impact in this game as they look to set the tone and pull off the upset here.

 

Texas Tech Red Raiders: Erik Ezukanma is one player to watch on this roster. FIU’s coach has made his defense aware that he is the guy they need to stop in this game as he can be electric when he gets the ball in his hands. Look for him to make some big catches down the field in this one as he already leads his team in receiving yards on the season.

 

“That’s a guy that you’ve got to make sure that somehow, some way you’ve got somebody on him. And the thing that makes it very, very difficult is that they do have a very good, physical, strong, powerful running back.” - Butch Davis on covering opposing player Erik Ezukanma in this game.

 

 

“When you only snap it 48 times and 52 times ... that’s not very many plays, especially when you’re running the ball with Tahj as well as we’re running it right now. I’d rather be known as a team that does something really good. And right now we’re getting it to Erik and he’s making plays. So teams need to stop that." - Head Coach Matt Wells on his team running a few number of plays on offense in their first 2 games.

 

 

 

WR Singleton, Bryce 

WR Chambers, Tyrese 

TE Palmer, Sterling 

QB Bortenschlager, Max 

RB Price, D'vonte 

 

WR Geiger Sr., Kaylon 

WR Ezukanma, Erik 

WR Mannix, McLane 

TE Koontz, Travis 

QB Shough, Tyler 

RB Thompson, SaRodorick 

 

 

Passing: M. Bortenschlager (525)

Rushing: D. Price (276)

Receiving: B. Singleton (168)

Touchdowns: D. Price (3)

Sacks: D. Jackson (2)

Tackles: R. Dames (9)

 

Passing: T. Shough (394)

Rushing: T. Brooks (249)

Receiving: E. Ezukanma (323)

Touchdowns: T. Brooks (4)

Sacks: J. Hutchings (2)

Tackles: C. Schooler (13)

 

Coaches:

FIU Panthers: Butch Davis (5th season)

Texas Tech Red Raiders: Matt Wells (3rd season)

 

87 degrees F sunny, 54% humidity, 0% chance of rain, up to 9 mph wind speeds NW.