The Baylor Bears and Texas State Bobcats meet Saturday at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and the game can be viewed on ESPN+. Below, we look at the Baylor vs. Texas State odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Bears managed just two victories in nine tries during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign. Expect Baylor to bounce back in a big way, as it has a trio of impressive wideouts in Gavin Holmes, R.J. Sneed and Tyquan Thornton. QB Gerry Bohanon has been handed the keys to the car as the Week 1 starter.
Texas State head coach Jake Spavital has managed just five wins in 24 tries over the last two seasons but six of the 10 losses last season were by 10 or fewer points. TSU isn’t that far off from turning it around. The Bobcats were good for 27.7 points per game last season, and they could improve again. QB Brady McBride is serviceable, and WR Marcell Barbee could be a star.
Baylor at Texas State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Baylor -600 (bet $600 to win $100) | Texas State +420 (bet $100 to win $420)
- Against the spread (ATS): Baylor -13.5 (-120) | Texas State +13.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 52.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Baylor at Texas State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Baylor 31, Texas State 20
Money line
Baylor (-600) will cost you six times your potential return, and that’s risky business with a new quarterback under center and a road game to boot.
AVOID.
Against the spread
TEXAS STATE +13.5 (-105) is a decent play, as it managed to hang around in plenty of games in 2020. The Bobcats didn’t convert many of those chances to wins, but they gained valuable experience as a unit. TSU has the tools to make a game of it in the first half, but expect the Bears to pull away in the final 30 minutes.
Texas State should do well in the Sun Belt Conference slate, but it’s not quite up to snuff against a middle-of-the-road Power 5 side. At least not yet.
Over/Under
UNDER 52.5 (-110) is the lean as Baylor has nine starters back on defense. Yes, the Bears allowed 29.2 PPG last season, but head coach Dave Aranda and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts should be able to whip this group into shape, and DL Siaki Ika is a tremendous injection of talent via the transfer portal.
Texas State also has eight starters back on D, and CB Jarron Morris is a special player who will make a difference.
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