Houston rolls into Lubbock on Friday night as a touchdown underdog to No. 13 Texas Tech, but forget the spread because the buzz is all about an upset. Seriously, this isn’t some fringe take: all four of the CBS Sports Network’s “Inside College Football Show” experts, including coaching legends Brian Kelly and Rick Neuheisel, are picking the Cougars to win. The Red Raiders opened as 9 ½-point favorites, which has since dropped to 7 ½, and that shift tells you everything you need to know about the growing concern in Lubbock.
Conner Weigman is Ready to Unleash Hell in Lubbock
The biggest reason for this crazy upset trend? Houston quarterback Conner Weigman. Brian Kelly, fresh off his LSU tenure, saw Weigman beat his Tigers twice when the QB was at Texas A&M before transferring. Kelly couldn’t stop praising the guy, talking about his “maturation as a quarterback” and how he’s a “big, physical player” who brings balance with Houston’s running game. That’s a huge endorsement from a coach who knows talent. Rick Neuheisel, another former head coach, doubled down, comparing Weigman to another Aggies transfer, Haynes King, who found success at Georgia Tech. Neuheisel believes Weigman is “going to put them on his shoulders and he’s going to carry them,” highlighting his “ability with his legs” and calling him a “competitive son of a gun.” On the flip side, there are major questions marks surrounding Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond, who’s still shaking off last year’s ACL injury, only throwing for two touchdowns in his first two games. Neuheisel put it bluntly: Hammond “is not consistent right now.”
That Texas Tech Defense? It’s Got Issues
It’s not just about Weigman; the Red Raiders’ defense is making everyone nervous. Former Notre Dame offensive lineman Aaron Taylor highlighted the big problem: Texas Tech gave up a staggering 417 passing yards to Oregon State last week. Yeah, they clawed back to win 35-24, but they were trailing deep into the fourth quarter. You cannot give up those kinds of yards to a quality opponent and expect to come out clean against a hot quarterback. Even Brian Jones, who grew up in Lubbock and played at Texas, is worried sick about his old stomping grounds. He raved about Houston’s explosive skill players like running back Makhi Hughes and receivers Amare Thomas and Koby Young. While admitting Texas Tech’s run defense is “pretty sturdy,” Jones pointed right to the “back end” of the defense as his main concern. Houston’s offense, packed with those playmakers, could absolutely shred that secondary. Don’t forget, Houston also gave up a lot of passing yards to Oregon State, 376 in a 33-20 win, but the narrative here is all about the Red Raiders’ defensive vulnerability against a surging Houston offense.
This Friday night showdown in Lubbock is going to be an absolute blast. With every CBS expert betting on Houston, and Weigman looking sharp against a shaky Texas Tech pass defense, this game has all the makings of a classic upset. Texas Tech better bring their A-game, or their ranking is about to take a serious hit.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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