Kansas @ Texas Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 1, 2011 ) Texas Tech 45, Kansas 34

Texas Tech will look to take out some of the frustration of a two-game losing streak when it hosts road-challenged Kansas on Saturday. The Jayhawks have lost 20 straight road games, including a 41-14 setback at Baylor last week, and 18 in a row overall in the Big 12. The Red Raiders scored on five of their six trips inside the 20, but three were field goals in their 31-22 loss to Texas last week. Texas Tech, though, still has the motivation to avoid a repeat of last season, when it finished with five straight losses and had its 18-year bowl streak snapped.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, FSN. LINE: Texas Tech -25

ABOUT KANSAS (1-8, 0-6 Big 12): The offensive struggles continue and it begins with quarterbacks Dayne Crist and Michael Cummings. The Jayhawks have the sixth-worst scoring offense in the country among FBS teams at 16.9 points per game. Their top receiver - Kale Pick - has only 22 receptions for 341 yards and the quarterbacks have combined to throw four touchdown passes. Because of the ineffective passing attack (bottom 10 nationally at 161 yards per game), opponents have keyed on running back James Sims, who has worked hard for his 748 yards and six touchdowns. The Jayhawks have been inconsistent on defense, but have allowed 21 points or less in two of their last four games.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (6-3, 3-3): While Seth Doege didn't have a typical game last week with only one touchdown and a 59.1 completion rate, he is putting together an impressive season. He leads all FBS quarterbacks with 31 touchdowns, is fifth in the nation at 318.8 yards per game and eighth in completion percentage (69.3). While Doege and top receivers Eric Ward (49 catches, 13.1 average, 10 touchdowns) and Darrin Moore (50, 11.0, eight) have carried the offense, the defense is 18th in the country in yards allowed. Senior defensive back Cody Davis leads the way with 71 tackles and three interceptions. Texas Tech finishes at Oklahoma State and against Baylor.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Fifteen of Kansas' 20 straight road losses have been by double digits and seven have been by 40 or more points.

2. Sims has five consecutive 100-yard games, the first Jayhawk to accomplish the feat since LaVerne Smith in 1974.

3. Texas Tech leads the series 12-1, including a 45-31 victory last season. Kansas won 34-31 in overtime in 2001.

PREDICTION: Texas Tech 49, Kansas 14