This week’s game between the No. 3 Texas Christian University Horned Frogs (3-0, 0-0) and the Texas Tech University Red Raiders (3-0, 0-0) looks to be a key Big 12 matchup as both teams enter this week undefeated. This game will feature the Big 12’s top passer, Patrick Mahomes II (1,029 yards, 9 TDs), and the third-leading passer, Trevone Boykin (985 yards, 10 TDs). It will begin Saturday, Sep 26 at 11:45 a.m. ET and can be seen on FOX.
Texas Tech beat Arkansas 35-24 last week. Jakeem Grant had a solid game in the win, totaling eight receptions for 75 yards. Reginald Davis had a big game as well, totaling 115 yards and two TDs on five receptions. TCU managed to get the win as well, beating SMU 56-37 in its matchup. Josh Doctson had a big game for the Horned Frogs, registering five receptions for 171 yards and two TDs. Trevone Boykin also had a big game with 454 yards and five TDs through the air.
TCU is a nine-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable.
The Red Raiders enter the game with records of 3-0 Straight Up (SU) and 2-1 Against The Spread (ATS) this season. A vital source of success for the Red Raiders this season is the running game, where they average 6.5 yards per carry. Keep an eye on Texas Tech to turn it up a notch during the third quarter, when they average 13.7 points per game.
On the other side, the Horned Frogs have 3-0 SU and 1-2 ATS records this season. If earlier games are any indication, the Horned Frogs will throw the ball a lot. They average 367.7 passing yards per game, good enough for seventh in Division I. The Horned Frogs usually get going immediately from the initial kickoff, averaging 15 points in the first quarter this year. TCU tends to run a lot of plays during games, averaging 79.7 offensive snaps for 22nd-most in the country.
Predictions: SU Winner – TCU, ATS Winner – TCU
Notes
Texas Tech is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas Tech’s last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas Tech’s last 5 games at home.
Texas Tech is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing TCU.
TCU is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Texas Tech.
Both teams are 3-0 SU when carrying a lead into the fourth quarter.
Nationally, the Texas Tech passing attack is ranked second, while the TCU pass defense is only ranked 43rd. The Horned Frogs passing game is ranked seventh, compared to the 80th-ranked pass defense of the Red Raiders.
The Texas Tech rushing attack is ranked 57th nationally, while the TCU run defense is only ranked 68th. The Horned Frogs running game is ranked 27th, compared to the 123rd-ranked rush defense of the Red Raiders.
TCU has allowed 20.3 points per game this year, which is ranked ninth in the country. Texas Tech has put up 54.3 points per game this year and is ranked second in FBS.
