Texas Tech @ West Virginia preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 15, 2016 ) West Virginia 48, Texas Tech 17

Two big offenses will collide Saturday when Texas Tech visits West Virginia in a Big 12 matchup. The teams - two of the six tied at 1-1 early in conference play - have two of the top offenses in the country thanks to solid quarterback play.

Nic Shimonek and the visiting Red Raiders are second nationally with 46.8 points while ranked fourth in passing offense. Will Grier and the Mountaineers are ninth in scoring (43.8) and third in total offense. The big difference could be on defense, where the Red Raiders are much improved and lead the Big 12 with a plus-9 turnover margin. "We've been on the plus-side of things this year and that's really helped swing some games, put some momentum on our side," Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury told the media Monday. "And hopefully that continues."

TV: Noon ET, ESPNU. LINE: West Virginia -3

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (4-1, 1-1 Big 12): Shimonek (1,811 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, three interceptions) has connected with Keke Coutee (39 catches, 586 yards, five TDs) for three touchdowns of at least 40 yards. Justin Stockton (385 rushing yards, four TDs) and Desmond Nisby (197 rushing yards, six TDs) helped Texas Tech establish a ground game last week at Kansas, combining for 254 yards and five scores in the 65-19 win. Linebacker Dakota Allen has two interceptions and 39 tackles while lineman Tony Jones has two fumble recoveries to lead Texas Tech, which has lost three straight to West Virginia.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (3-2, 1-1): Grier (1,740 yards, four INTs) is tied for third nationally with 16 touchdown passes while quarterback-turned-receiver David Sills (33 catches, 512 yards) leads the country with nine TD catches. Justin Crawford leads the Big 12 in rushing with 562 yards and six touchdowns and Grier adds 140 yards and two scores on the ground. Linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton leads a solid defense - allowing 26.4 points and 227.2 passing yards - with 44 stops, seven tackles for loss and an interception.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texas Tech's 14 turnovers gained - seven interceptions and seven fumbles - is one more than it collected during the 2016 season.

2. West Virginia is 23-4 under coach Dana Holgorsen when scoring at least 40 points.

3. Holgorsen spent seven seasons (2000-07) on Mike Leach's staff at Texas Tech, including three seasons with Kingsbury (2000-02) as their quarterback.

PREDICTION: West Virginia 38, Texas Tech 27