Iowa State @ Texas Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 2, 2010 ) Texas Tech 38, Iowa State 52

THE STORY: Fresh off the biggest win in the Tommy Tuberville era, No. 22 Texas Tech has the confidence and the momentum to make a run at the top of the Big 12 and a strong bowl berth. The Red Raiders still haven’t figured out how to stop anybody on defense, but they can pile up the points with the best of them behind quarterback Seth Doege and his favorite target, Alex Torres. Iowa State is finding things a little bit tougher in conference play, having dropped four straight. The Cyclones and their suspect defense will be taking on their fourth ranked opponent in the last five games when they visit Texas Tech.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN. LINE: Texas Tech -14.5.

ABOUT IOWA STATE (3-4, 0-4 Big 12): The Cyclones rank 115th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing an average of 35.9 points. Unlike the Red Raiders, Iowa State does not score nearly enough to make up for that deficiency, putting up only 23.1 points. The schedule makers also aren’t doing the Cyclones any favors. After a home date against Kansas next week, Iowa State will finish conference play with three straight teams ranked in the top 10 - Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Kansas State. The Cyclones allowed Texas A&M to rush for 247 yards and were outgained by more than 200 total yards in a 33-17 setback last week.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (5-2, 2-2): Doege and Torres hooked up for three touchdowns last week in a stunning upset of No. 3 Oklahoma in Norman. A four-touchdown underdog during the week, Texas Tech snapped the Sooners’ 39-game home winning streak and broke its own two-game slide in the process. Doege finished with 441 yards and four touchdowns in the 41-38 final. The Red Raiders are putting up an average of 43.4 points, good for ninth in the country, thanks to their No. 3 passing attack.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Texas Tech is 7-2 all-time against Iowa State, but the Cyclones took last year’s meeting 52-38 in Ames.

2. A win Saturday would make the Red Raiders bowl eligible for the 19th consecutive season.

3. Iowa State coach Paul Rhodes worked as defensive coordinator under Tuberville at Auburn in 2008.

PREDICTION: Texas Tech 55, Iowa State 30 - The only thing that could trip the Red Raiders up is if they look ahead to next week's game at Texas.