As oddsmakers project an underdog battle, can Texas Tech continue its historic playoff run?
Texas Tech fans everywhere are experiencing a feel-good boost as a result of the Red Raiders' wildly successful season, one that has landed Tech in the No. 4 slot in the College Football Rankings ... complete with a bye in the College Football Playoffs.
This Wednesday and Thursday we get to watch the quarterfinal round of the CPF unfold as we greet the New Year ...
And greet what the 12-1 Red Raiders believe is a new era.
But the oddsmakers have a slightly different vision.
First, they've got Tech as a 2-point underdog to No. 5 Oregon in this week's game, slated for Thursday at 11 a.m. CT in the Orange Bowl.
And then, for fun, a look way ahead ...
The folks at sportsbetting.ag have posted the spreads for each side of the CFP bracket depending on who all advances ... and "-3.5'' seems to be the magic number.
To wit, the semifinal potential matchups and the lines ...
Ole Miss vs. Ohio State (-9.5)
Miami vs. Georgia (-3.5)
Miami vs. Ole Miss (+1.5)
Georgia vs. Ohio State (-5.5)
Texas Tech vs. Indiana (-3.5)
Alabama vs. Oregon (-3.5)
Oregon vs. Indiana (-3.5)
Alabama vs. Texas Tech (-3.5)
Yes, as you can see, should Tech somehow get by Oregon in the quarterfinal game, the Red Raiders will be viewed as underdogs - with a 3.5-point margin - against either Alabama or Indiana.
As the Red Raiders prep for their very first appearance in the CFP, will the bubble really burst in the semifinals? Hey, let's take one bubble at a time, shall we?