Zak Drapeau's CFB Game of the Week: 16 Utah vs 17 Texas Tech

by Zak Drapeau 9/19/2025 Sportz Nation

Other Top Games of the Week

4 Miami vs Florida

9 Illinois vs 19 Indiana

11 Oklahoma vs 22 Auburn

21 Michigan vs Nebraska

23 Missouri vs South Carolina

24 Notre Dame vs Purdue

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Graphic Credit by The Three Technique on Youtube

Game Preview

A thriller in Salt Lake City this week as the Red Raiders come to town to match up with the Utes. After soundly dominating FBS-school Arkansas Pine Bluff, then Kent St and Oregon St, the 17th-ranked Texas Tech has been on a tear that they hope will keep their momentum rising against the Utes.

Across from them will be the best O-line in the nation and the 7th best run game, the Utah Utes. After slapping UCLA around in Week 1, the Utes would host Cal Poly and rightfully dispatch them 63-9 before traveling to Wyoming and dominating them as well 31-6.

The huge battle in this game will be between the trenches when the Utes O-line fights the Texas Tech D-line who are one of the best groups in their own right. Edge rushers David Bailey and Romello Height have been terrorizing QBs so far but when they run into the best pair of Tackles in the country, Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu... what happens?

The betting line for this game has the Utes as 3-point favorites thanks to their O-line and defense but don't count out the Red Raiders. Their aerial attack has been tremendous so far this season even if their opponents haven't really tested them.

Texas Tech

The Red Raiders have the most points scored per game with 58 and 2nd most yards per game with 602.7. Without facing a serious threat of a defense yet, it's hard to truly judge their offensive skill but they've certainly handled every opponent the way a "Top FBS team should."

Their QB Behren Morton has been lighting up their opponents like Christmas trees. With a wide spread attack through the air, their top 3 receivers and tight end are averaging 10 catches on the season.

Utah

In Kyle Whittingham's 21-year tenure as Head Coach of Utah, they have had a consistently well-coached defense and one of the top O-lines in the country. Controlling the trenches is Whittingham's bread and butter and that could be the difference when facing a high-powered offense like Tech.

On defense, the Utes biggest test was the debut of Nico Iamaleava on UCLA and creamed them 43-10. This week the Bruins' head coach was fired however so it can be said that Utah hasn't faced any good teams as well. Allowing an average of 8.3 points, the Utes will have to have their best performance of the season so far to get anywhere close to that total against Texas Tech.

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Photo by Devon Dampier/Utah Athletics

Zak's Prediction

Lines: Utah -3

O/U 57.5

Last Week I went 0/2 in my picks for the Miami v South Florida game bringing my total for the year to 3/6.

For this game I have no idea what to pick either so I can't see me improving my numbers too much. I really like Tech's offense this year but I also believe Utah will control the clock and run the ball effectively. I think this game decides the winner right at the end of the game depending on whoever is lucky enough to get the final possession.

With their ability to run, I have to think Utah will have the last laugh and I will take the Utes -3 and because of the high-powered offenses I will definitely take the Over 57.5 for the game.

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Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the 2025 CFB Season. Zak Drapeau's Game of the Week Every Friday.

-Z.D.