Poinsettia Bowl  
Louisiana Tech vs. TCU Wednesday, 5 pm PT – ESPN 
CRIS Opener: TCU -11 O/U 55.5 
CRIS Current: TCU -9.5 O/U 56 
Rob Veno Power Rating: TCU -11.5

Marty Otto’s Betting Take: Before the season kicked off I suspected that TCU would struggle to duplicate some of the its recent results with so much roster turnover. While it certainly wasn’t a cakewalk they played better than I had anticipated. The offense in particular outperformed any projection I had coming into the season, ranking ninth nationally while scoring over 40 points per game. Quarterback Casey Pachall is having a phenomenal year and this ground game has been awesome with the three-headed attack of Waymon James, Matthew Tucker and Ed Wesley. But for a team that’s played in back-to-back BCS bowl games, winding up in the Poinsettia Bowl could be a real let down. Such is the potential situation for the Horned Frogs this week.

They had better be ready if they hope to win because Louisiana Tech is a scrappy bunch that has battled each week despite facing some pretty crippling injuries/suspensions on both sides of the football. Amidst all kinds of quarterback issues prior to the season, to a switch midway through the campaign, the Bulldogs managed to close the season on a seven game winning streak after opening 1-4. But we should note that they were competitive even when losing early in the season. Three of their four losses on the year came by a touchdown or less including very solid efforts against Southern Miss, Houston and Mississippi State. They are a perfect 6-0 ATS as an underdog, consistently beating low market expectations. And this game does mean something to them; they haven’t been bowling since 2008 and facing a signature opponent like TCU will have them amped up.

This has the look of a game that could see some fireworks from an offensive perspective. Tech is never going to be able to run on this TCU defense and the suspension of Lenon Creer and a dearth of capable talent behind him at running back likely means LT will go to the air in search of big play receiver Quinton Patton. That’s a good matchup as TCU has struggled with passing attacks this season. And although I don’t think TCU is very excited to be here I don’t know that Tech has the horses to slow down this Horned Frogs offense that is so balanced and explosive.

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