Everything is bigger in Texas rings particularly true in the sports world this weekend.
While the baseball world has had its eyes glued to the Lone Star State all week thanks to the Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros American League Championship Series, college football gets its own Texas-sized matchup this weekend as the No. 8 Longhorns head down to Houston to take on their new Big 12 rivals, the Houston Cougars.
Houston. Arlington. Austin. Three Texas cities that will have their eyes glued to All Texas Sports Everything this weekend.
With all the action taking place in Texas this weekend, bettors can take advantage and have a little fun with their bankroll, whether you're invested emotionally in the teams involved or not.
Astros-Rangers Game 5 gets going Friday evening at 5:07 p.m., while Longhorns-cougars is set for 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Action Network writer B.J. Cunningham has broken down both matchups and you can read his analysis and picks below. Further, we've placed the two wagers in a parlay so you can get your action this weekend down on a Texas-sized parlay.
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Game 5 Odds
| Astros Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +155 | 9 -102o / -120u | +100 |
| Rangers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -188 | 9 -102o / -120u | -118 |
Action’s FanDuel promo code unlocks $200 in bonus bets for new sign-ups.
One big thing going into this game is whether or not the Rangers decide to keep the roof open. They opened for Game 4, which Dusty Baker was not too thrilled about. It's a pretty massive difference in terms of a run scoring environment if they decide to keep it open.
The reason they opened the roof on Wednesday was because it was 76 degrees in Arlington, Tex. With it being 90 degrees in on Friday afternoon, I highly doubt they are going to keep the roof open.
With that in mind, it's going to create a lower run-scoring environment for each team's best two pitchers. Jordan Montgomery can keep this Astros' lineup at bay if he continues to utilize his curveball, and given the form Justin Verlander is in right now, he can shut down this Rangers lineup. Both bullpens being able to save all of their high-leverage arms for this game tonight is also key.
The total for Game 1 closed at Under 8.5. There is a Under 9 available right now at FanDuel that I would grab because I am only projecting 8.2 runs for this game and I don't see a reason why this total should be above or exactly the same as Game 1 given the success these two starting pitchers had.
Texas Longhorns vs Houston Cougars Odds
| Texas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-23.5 -110 | 61.5 -110o / -110u | -2500 |
| Houston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+23.5 -110 | 61.5 -110o / -110u | +1100 |
I'm not really sure how Houston stops Texas in this game. Quinn Ewers may not be throwing the ball deep at a high rate, but the constant 10-to-19 yard passes against a bottom-20 secondary in college football is a nightmare scenario and one that I'm not sure the Cougars can stop.
Sure, Texas has issues finishing drives, but it's more encouraging that it ranks among the top 10 in the nation in Quality Drives, especially while playing the fourth-hardest schedule in the country.
In addition, Houston is 116th in Finishing Drives Allowed, so Texas will have a fantastic opportunity to put a ton of points on the board as Ewers has a big day.
I have Texas projected for 47.1 points in this game, so I love the value on its team total over 41.5 points on FanDuel.
Texas-Sized Parlay (+240 at FanDuel)
- Astros-Rangers Under 9
- Texas Longhorns Team Total Over 41.5
