The Jackson State Tigers hit the road for their annual slate of payday beatings to start the college basketball season. In fact, Jackson State is quite famous for the aggressive scheduling, as it keeps the athletics department afloat. This season alone, the Tigers play at Texas Tech, Tulane, Mississippi State, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Memphis, Texas, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Ole Miss, among others. It won't be fazed playing in Lubbock, but it won't do well either.
Texas Tech is the 19th-ranked team in the nation and it's hard to see anyone on the undersized Tigers slowing down the Red Raiders. However, Jackson State does catch a break, as one of the best players in the nation — JT Toppin — is still rehabbing his knee and won't play in this opener. Let's back the Tigers to at least keep it within 30 points, which will still be a decisive win for the home side. If Toppin were in there, it would be a different story.
Jackson State vs Texas Tech prediction: Jackson State +33.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to +32.5.
