Texas State @ Texas Tech preview

THE STORY: Texas Tech is heading into its second season under Tommy Tuberville, who just reeled in the highest-rated recruiting class in school history. The Red Raiders were in desperate need of a talent influx after losing their top two quarterbacks, leading rusher and top two receivers. Former Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione takes over at Texas State, which lost six of its last seven in 2010.

TV: None. LINE: Texas Tech by 38.5

ABOUT TEXAS STATE (4-7 in 2010): This is Texas State’s final year at the FCS level as the Bobcats will join the Western Athletic Conference in 2012. They have played a different FBS school from Texas in each of the past four seasons and averaged 28 points on offense, but have allowed 51.3 points per game, including 68 last year at Houston. Running quarterback Shaun Rutherford and the strong-armed Tyler Arndt give Texas State a variety of threats behind center.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (8-5 in 2010): Tuberville brought in former Texas Christian safeties coach Chad Glasgow to help fix a defense that gave up 30.9 points and 456 yards per game in 2010. The Red Raiders return all five starting offensive linemen, which will help an offense relying on unproven quarterback Seth Doege, who started only one game in his last five years dating back to high school.

EXTRA POINTS

1. This is Franchione’s second stint at Texas State, where he coached from 1990-1991.

2. This is the first meeting, but Texas Tech is scheduled for a return trip to San Marcos, Texas, to open the 2012 season.

3. The Red Raiders are 17-1 in home openers since 1993, winning by an average score of 43-17.

PREDICTION: Texas Tech 52, Texas State 21 - The Bobcats could put up a decent amount of points on a suspect Texas Tech defense, but they don’t have the talent to keep this one close.