Laramie is a tough place to play, and Wyoming is well-coached. This is simply too many points. Take the brown-and-mustard Cowboys to keep it close against the Red Raiders.

The Cowboys are well-coached and return a deep and experienced defense. With nine returning starters and a bevy of players with experience, Wyoming will be prepared for Texas Tech. The offense will be led by QB Andrew Peasley, a sixth-year player. Coach Craig Bohl prefers a power running game, eating up the clock and shortening games. With a solid offensive line and several solid running backs, the Cowboys will have success running the football. They also have one of the best kickers in the country.

I actually think the Red Raiders could be poised for a good season. But that's part of the problem. They've been hearing people speak highly of them all offseason, and now they open the season in what will be an electric atmosphere in Laramie. Are they mature enough to handle business? This will be a tougher-than-it-looks-on-paper test against a Wyoming team that brings back five of its front six on defense.

Under coach Craig Bohl, the Cowboys historically start slowly before improving and finishing their seasons with a flourish. Such was the case last season, when they looked dreadful in a 38-6 Week 1 loss to Illinois before ripping off wins in seven of their next nine. Despite this concern, the Cowboys return 10 defensive starters and have an underappreciated home-field edge that has seen them go 16-1 over the past 30 years when their opener is in Laramie. This is too good of a deal to pass up on a historically reliable home underdog against what should be a solid Texas Tech club. However, the Red Raiders could easily be caught in a look-ahead spot in advance of their Week 2 showdown against Oregon.

I wish I could've gotten this pick in when the line was still at 13.5, but regardless, it's too small. I happen to think the general consensus on Texas Tech is a little too high for the season, but not for this matchup. These Cowboys won't be able to wrangle the bandits from Lubbock.