Texas Tech @ Texas Christian preview
Amon G. Carter Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2006 ) Texas Tech 3, Texas Christian 12
An old Southwest Conference rivalry will be renewed Saturday as No. 20 Texas Tech visits No. 21 Texas Christian in the first meeting between the in-state rivals since 2006 - and their first as conference opponents since 1995. Each team bounced back last week after suffering its first loss of the season. The Red Raiders are looking to build off the momentum of last week's impressive 49-14 thumping of then-No. 4 West Virginia, which came on the heels of a 41-20 loss to Oklahoma. The Horned Frogs rebounded from a 37-23 loss to Iowa State by winning 49-21 at Baylor a week ago. The teams have split two meetings since the demise of the Southwest Conference as the Red Raiders won 70-35 in Lubbock in 2004 and the Horned Frogs prevailed 12-3 in Fort Worth in 2006. Texas Tech leads the all-time series 28-23-3.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN2. LINE: Texas Tech -2.5
ABOUT TEXAS TECH (5-1, 2-1 Big 12): The Red Raiders were picked ninth among 10 teams in the preseason Big 12 media poll, but they've looked like a heavy hitter so far in conference play with a chance to make a bigger statement against TCU. No longer are the Red Raiders doing it with an aerial assault - though quarterback Seth Doege did earn Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors after passing for 499 yards and six touchdowns against West Virginia - but rather with a stout defense. Texas Tech ranks first in the Big 12 in total defense (243.0) and second in scoring defense (16.3).
ABOUT TEXAS CHRISTIAN (5-1, 2-1): The Horned Frogs' transition to the Big 12 has been eased by their typically strong defense, which leads the league in scoring (14.5) and ranks third in total defense (300.8). The offense, however, is in turmoil without quarterback Casey Pachall, who withdrew from the school after his arrest for drunken driving. Freshman Trevone Boykin took over last week against Baylor and passed for 261 yards and four touchdowns.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Texas Tech has scored in a school-record 187 consecutive games dating to Oct. 25, 1997. During that span, the Red Raiders have scored in double digits in 176 games.
2. TCU has won 28 of its last 30 home games and is 58-8 at home under coach Gary Patterson.
3. With a win, the Red Raiders would become bowl eligible for the 19th time in 20 years. They missed the postseason last year for the first time since 1999.
PREDICTION: Texas Tech 34, TCU 23