Sam Houston vs Texas Tech Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 26, 2026
The Sam Houston Bearkats visit the 11th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday, September 26, at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 12:00 PM ET on TNT. The Sam Houston Bearkats are 1-2 overall and have not yet opened Conference USA play, after beating Nicholls 59-0. The Texas Tech Red Raiders are 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12 after a 28-26 win over Houston. Follow Saturday’s action with our free NCAAF picks.
Sam Houston Bearkats Preview
Sam Houston is averaging 34.3 points through three games, with the passing attack doing most of the damage. Landyn Locke has completed 73 of 108 passes for 973 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception. The Bearkats have 1,037 total passing yards, compared with 326 rushing yards on 98 carries. Alton McCaskill leads the ground game with 140 yards and one touchdown, while Chris Reed has nine catches for 204 yards and two scores. Grady O’Neill has added 192 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The Bearkats have improved defensively since allowing 24 points to Troy and 23 to Tulsa, shutting out Nicholls in their latest game. Sam Houston has recorded nine sacks and two interceptions. Elijah Groves leads the pass rush with 2.5 sacks, while Brody Henderson and Brian Bates Jr. have one apiece. Railyn Adams has one of the two interceptions, and Dean Ford leads the defense with 16 total tackles. The Bearkats have forced three fumbles and recovered one.
Injuries: No injuries to report.
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Texas Tech Red Raiders Preview
Texas Tech is averaging 32 points during its 3-0 start, scoring at least 28 in every game. Will Hammond has completed 63 of 87 passes for 744 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. The Red Raiders have also rushed for 496 yards and eight touchdowns. J’Koby Williams leads that group with 249 yards, three touchdowns and 6.2 yards per carry. Kenny Johnson has caught 13 passes for 230 yards and one touchdown, while Coy Eakin has 132 receiving yards and a score.
The Red Raiders have allowed 60 points across three games, including 26 against Houston and 24 at Oregon State. Texas Tech has eight sacks and two interceptions. A.J. Holmes Jr. and Jamond Mathis have 2.5 sacks apiece, while Ben Roberts has 25 tackles and one sack. John Curry and Amier Boyd have recorded interceptions. Texas Tech has forced three fumbles and recovered two, with the defense helping the Red Raiders remain unbeaten through three games.
Injuries: TE Terrance Carter Jr. (foot) is probable. WR Kenny Johnson (undisclosed) and LB Trey White (knee) are questionable. CB Amier Boyd (undisclosed) is out.
Sam Houston vs Texas Tech Prediction
Sam Houston brings the more productive passing attack into this matchup, averaging 345.7 passing yards per game with 10 touchdowns through the air, but Texas Tech has more balance with 752 passing yards and 496 rushing yards. The Red Raiders have a major advantage on the ground, where Williams is averaging 6.2 yards per carry, while Sam Houston is at only 3.3 as a team. The Bearkats have enough passing production to move the ball and stay inside a large point spread, but Texas Tech’s rushing attack and home field will help the Red Raiders control the game and remain unbeaten. Final Score Prediction: Texas Tech Red Raiders win but Sam Houston covers the spread, 40-17.
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Best Picks
- Sam Houston Bearkats +35.5
- Over 54.5
