The Texas Tech Red Raiders are set to face the Oklahoma Sooners this weekend. Check out our college football odds series, which includes our Texas Tech-Oklahoma prediction, odds, and pick.

Texas Tech just fired head coach Matt Wells after blowing a lead at home to Kansas State. That specific loss might not have been a fireable offense in isolation, but it was reminiscent of many similar losses to Kansas State over the past decade and a half. It cut deeply for many boosters and alumni in Lubbock, who quickly came to the conclusion that Wells was not going to lift the program to the next level. The decision might have been harsh and premature, but the final conclusion — Wells wasn't going to be a transformative coach in Lubbock — might not have been wrong. The only problem is that if coaches think the boosters will have quick-trigger reactions like that on a regular basis, why would they want to coach at Texas Tech? This coaching search will be fascinating.

Oklahoma is still unbeaten, but no one is convinced the Sooners are ready to compete for a national title after their shaky, unfocused, and frankly immature win over Kansas. Oklahoma clearly played like a team which expected that it could just show up, roll out of bed, and win with minimal effort. That kind of team simply won't beat Georgia or Alabama in a College Football Playoff semifinal. The Sooners need a kick in the pants.

Here’s how the bookmakers have set the Texas Tech-Oklahoma odds:

College Football odds: Texas Tech-Oklahoma Odds

Texas Tech: +19.5 (-110)

Oklahoma: -19.5 (-110)

Over: 66.5 (-110)

Under: 66.5 (-110)

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Why Texas Tech Could Cover the Spread

The best reason to choose the Red Raiders when making a Texas Tech Oklahoma pick has nothing to do with Texas Tech and everything to do with Oklahoma. The Sooners and new quarterback Caleb Williams should have been ready to deliver a businesslike smackdown against a vastly inferior Kansas team. Instead, they slept through nearly three full quarters and trailed 17-7 midway through the second half. That's an appalling lack of focus for a team which was expected to contend for the national championship this year.

Everyone knows that Oklahoma and the Big 12 have never won a College Football Playoff semifinal. This was supposed to be the season that streak ended, but after seeing the immaturity of the Sooners against Kansas, no one would expect this team to beat Alabama, Georgia, or also Ohio State. If OU is shaky enough to get threatened by Kansas, it is shaky enough to be tested by Texas Tech, even at home.

Why Oklahoma Could Cover the Spread

The Sooners could sleepwalk through another game, but they also now have the goods on offense with Caleb Williams replacing Spencer Rattler at quarterback. Oklahoma scored over 50 points a few weeks ago with Williams running the offense at home against TCU. If that version of Williams and that version of Oklahoma show up, your Texas Tech Oklahoma pick might be different, but can you fully trust that the great version of Oklahoma will show up?

The best reason to think the Sooners will in fact dominate: They have to be disgusted with their performance against Kansas. A lot of players in the locker room performed horribly, and they know it. Motivation will be abundant in this game, even though Texas Tech is not a sexy opponent. OU knows it must improve its mindset before huge November games against Iowa State, Baylor, and Oklahoma State.

Final Texas Tech-Oklahoma Prediction & Pick

When considering the Texas Tech Oklahoma odds in this game, it's easy to pick Texas Tech. Oklahoma has failed to cover as a double-digit favorite on several occasions this season. However, it did cover against TCU and has shown it can put up huge numbers with Caleb Williams at quarterback. Texas Tech's lack of an especially potent offense will probably enable the Sooners to cover the spread, but don't think it's a lock.

Final Texas Tech-Oklahoma Pick: Oklahoma -19.5