Texas Tech TE Jace Amaro gave West Virginia's defense fits in last week's 49-14 win for the Red Raiders, but he is listed as questionable for Saturday's game. (US Presswire) |
Texas Tech (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) at TCU (5-1, 2-1 Big 12)
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN2 reverse mirror)
Spread: Texas Tech by 2.5
Watchability: Only a week ago, this game would have hardly been a blip on anyone's radar. But after Texas Tech's 49-14 trouncing of West Virginia and TCU's resurgent showing in a 49-21 win at Baylor, this is probably the most compelling Big 12 game this week outside of Morgantown.
Shining stars: Texas Tech: QB Seth Doege. He outshined Heisman Trophy frontrunner Geno Smith in the win over the Mountaineers, throwing for 504 yards and six touchdowns. Doege often gets overshadowed by the Big 12's other talented quarterbacks, but he can be as effective as any of them. TCU: DE Devonte Fields. The freshman continues to be a force to be reckoned with, as he added another sack and a forced fumble in the Baylor win. He has 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries to his credit.
Who could steal the show: Texas Tech: TE Jace Amaro. He is questionable for the game, but will have an impact either way. If he plays, he is a valuable weapon for Doege. If not, he takes one away. Amaro took a hard shot to the midsection against WVU and and was briefly hospitalized after the game. He fought through it all to finish with five catches for 156 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown. TCU: QB Trevone Boykin. His second game as the starter was a rousing success, as he completed 22 of 30 passes for 261 yards and four touchdowns and added another 56 yards and a score on the ground. His running ability should test a Texas Tech defense that just shut down the pass-happy attack of WVU.
You going? Ranking the road trip: The game is the third home sellout this season for TCU and its 11th in its last 12 home games. With the Horned Frogs bouncing back in the Baylor win and a nationally ranked Texas Tech team coming to town, this should be as good a game as any to check out the $164 million renovations to Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Magic number for Texas Tech: 57 percent. That is the Red Raiders' success rate on third down conversion attempts, the best in the nation. On the other side, TCU's defense is No. 2 in the country in third down defense, allowing success on only 24.36 percent of opponents' third downs.
Magic number for TCU: 1.47. Over its last 19 home games, TCU has allowed only 28 touchdowns -- 1.47 per game. Texas Tech's offense should put that to the test.
The game comes down to: Can Texas Tech handle success? This was a team that was picked to finish ninth in the 10-team Big 12, not one expected to thump a top-5 team by five touchdowns and be tied for second in the conference at the midway point of the season. Did last week's win -- surely an emotional one -- leave players and/or coaches drained?
Prediction: Texas Tech 27, TCU 24
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big 12 bloggers C.J. Moore and Patrick Southern, follow @CBSSportsBig12 on Twitter. You can also follow C.J. (@cjmoore4) and Patrick (@patricksouthern).