Here are the top five storylines leading up to this weekend as Texas Tech (3-0) hosts No. 3 TCU (3-0) on Saturday at 3:45 p.m.
1. Redemption
82-27. The Red Raiders haven’t forgotten about last year and, through three games this year, this team looks nothing like the team on the wrong end of last year's massacre.
Predictions for this weekend’s game have fallen all along the continuum, with the consensus being a close shoot-out going one way or the other. One thing seems to be for certain, it will not be a repeat of last year.
The Red Raiders made a statement by leading the entire game against Arkansas and winning 35-24 in Fayetteville last weekend and look to carry that momentum home with them and pull off the upset.
2. Offensive showdown
This weekend’s game features two of the nation’s most potent, high-scoring offenses and has all of the ingredients of a 50-something to 50-something – or higher -- shoot-out.
TCU comes into this game averaging 598 yards (fourth in the nation) and almost 50 points per game (10th in the nation), while the Red Raiders are averaging 590 yards (fifth in the nation) and 54 points per game (tied for third in the nation).
The Red Raiders are averaging 399 passing yards per game, while the Horned Frogs are putting up just under 368 per game. On the ground, TCU has a slight edge statistically with 231 yards per game to the Red Raiders 191 yards per game.
Both offenses are converting more than half of their third down attempts and the Red Raiders offensive line has yet to allow a sack this season. While the line deserves its credit, a big part of that statistic is a result of Mahomes’ ability to make plays with his feet and escape pressure.
Trevone Boykin has himself in the Heisman discussion and if Mahomes continues his success from weeks one through three all season long, his name could find itself in that conversation as well.
Both offenses will score points. The question here is...
3. Which defense can help its own offense the most?
On both sides of every offensive showdown, there is a defense trying to keep its name out of media headlines for giving up video game stats. Both defenses have had their share of media attention for different reasons.
Texas Tech’s defense caught a lot of heat for the Red Raiders' 4-8 record in 2014 and for giving up 637 yards to Sam Houston State in week one. Since then, they have made strides and have gotten better each week, but still have some questions to answer.
TCU’s defense came into this year looking pretty strong, but has been highlighted for its ridiculously high amount of attrition, which we’ll touch on here shortly.
The Horned Frog defense has allowed 339 yards per game, while the Red Raiders have given up 492 yards per game. TCU is allowing just over 20 points per game, while Texas Tech is allowing just under 30 per game.
The Horned Frogs defense looks better statistically, but neither defense has faced an offense anything close to what they will see on Saturday.
One important area where the Red Raiders are ahead of the Horned Frogs is turnover margin. Tech's plus-five is tied for eighth nationally, while TCU's plus-one is tied for 60th.
Each defensive stand and each turnover will be worth gold on Saturday.
4. Deflated Defense?
Gary Patterson is widely regarded as one of the best defensive head coaches in college football. In the eyes of some, he even ranks No. 1 on that list because of his schemes, his ability to game plan and move players around to get the most out of them and his ability to identify underrecruited players that fit his scheme very well.
Coming into this year, he had to replace six starters from the Horned Frogs’ 12-1, 2014 squad, which in itself is no easy task. Since then, the situation on defense has gotten much worse because of the injury bug and off-the-field issues.
TCU’s most experienced player on that side of the ball, tackle Davion Pierson, suffered a head injury during fall camp and has yet to suit out this season, along with defensive end James McFarland, who suffered a foot injury before the season. It’s possible Pierson will be ready for this weekend, but will he be anywhere near 100 percent?
In each game this season, a Horned Frog defender has suffered a season-ending knee injury -- Junior linebacker Sammy Douglas in week one against Minnesota, senior safety Kenny Iloka the following week against Stephen F. Austin and starting cornerback Ranthony Texada last week against SMU.
Nope, it doesn't stop here.
Freshmen linebacker Mike Freeze left the team for personal reasons after an impressive week-one showing against Minnesota and you’ve probably already heard of defensive end Mike Tuaua being arrested for mugging a student for some Keystone Light.
Senior defensive end Terrell Lathan was also injured against SMU, but returned to action and is questionable for this weekend’s game.
Yes, that is a very long read and it does not sound good at all for the Horned Frogs.
How much can Patterson’s defensive expertise stop the bleeding of missing potentially seven starters? TCU's offense is good, but can it win this game on its own, if it has to?
5. National Spotlight
The Red Raiders had a very quiet off-season as everyone around the program was eager to kickoff 2015 and get the 4-8 season further and further behind them. With a road win against Arkansas and a 3-0 record under their belts, it’s safe to say they have done that.
Now the question is, “Are the Red Raiders for real?”
A win this weekend should have them ranked in the Top 15 and in the thick of the Big 12 Title race for the immediate future. A loss would really not hurt them that bad unless it’s a real beating, which looks highly unlikely right now.
Can Texas Tech knock off a top five opponent on the big stage and prepare to face another one next week?
1. Redemption
82-27. The Red Raiders haven’t forgotten about last year and, through three games this year, this team looks nothing like the team on the wrong end of last year's massacre.
Predictions for this weekend’s game have fallen all along the continuum, with the consensus being a close shoot-out going one way or the other. One thing seems to be for certain, it will not be a repeat of last year.
The Red Raiders made a statement by leading the entire game against Arkansas and winning 35-24 in Fayetteville last weekend and look to carry that momentum home with them and pull off the upset.
2. Offensive showdown
This weekend’s game features two of the nation’s most potent, high-scoring offenses and has all of the ingredients of a 50-something to 50-something – or higher -- shoot-out.
TCU comes into this game averaging 598 yards (fourth in the nation) and almost 50 points per game (10th in the nation), while the Red Raiders are averaging 590 yards (fifth in the nation) and 54 points per game (tied for third in the nation).
The Red Raiders are averaging 399 passing yards per game, while the Horned Frogs are putting up just under 368 per game. On the ground, TCU has a slight edge statistically with 231 yards per game to the Red Raiders 191 yards per game.
Both offenses are converting more than half of their third down attempts and the Red Raiders offensive line has yet to allow a sack this season. While the line deserves its credit, a big part of that statistic is a result of Mahomes’ ability to make plays with his feet and escape pressure.
Trevone Boykin has himself in the Heisman discussion and if Mahomes continues his success from weeks one through three all season long, his name could find itself in that conversation as well.
Both offenses will score points. The question here is...
3. Which defense can help its own offense the most?
On both sides of every offensive showdown, there is a defense trying to keep its name out of media headlines for giving up video game stats. Both defenses have had their share of media attention for different reasons.
Texas Tech’s defense caught a lot of heat for the Red Raiders' 4-8 record in 2014 and for giving up 637 yards to Sam Houston State in week one. Since then, they have made strides and have gotten better each week, but still have some questions to answer.
TCU’s defense came into this year looking pretty strong, but has been highlighted for its ridiculously high amount of attrition, which we’ll touch on here shortly.
The Horned Frog defense has allowed 339 yards per game, while the Red Raiders have given up 492 yards per game. TCU is allowing just over 20 points per game, while Texas Tech is allowing just under 30 per game.
The Horned Frogs defense looks better statistically, but neither defense has faced an offense anything close to what they will see on Saturday.
One important area where the Red Raiders are ahead of the Horned Frogs is turnover margin. Tech's plus-five is tied for eighth nationally, while TCU's plus-one is tied for 60th.
Each defensive stand and each turnover will be worth gold on Saturday.
4. Deflated Defense?
Gary Patterson is widely regarded as one of the best defensive head coaches in college football. In the eyes of some, he even ranks No. 1 on that list because of his schemes, his ability to game plan and move players around to get the most out of them and his ability to identify underrecruited players that fit his scheme very well.
Coming into this year, he had to replace six starters from the Horned Frogs’ 12-1, 2014 squad, which in itself is no easy task. Since then, the situation on defense has gotten much worse because of the injury bug and off-the-field issues.
TCU’s most experienced player on that side of the ball, tackle Davion Pierson, suffered a head injury during fall camp and has yet to suit out this season, along with defensive end James McFarland, who suffered a foot injury before the season. It’s possible Pierson will be ready for this weekend, but will he be anywhere near 100 percent?
In each game this season, a Horned Frog defender has suffered a season-ending knee injury -- Junior linebacker Sammy Douglas in week one against Minnesota, senior safety Kenny Iloka the following week against Stephen F. Austin and starting cornerback Ranthony Texada last week against SMU.
Nope, it doesn't stop here.
Freshmen linebacker Mike Freeze left the team for personal reasons after an impressive week-one showing against Minnesota and you’ve probably already heard of defensive end Mike Tuaua being arrested for mugging a student for some Keystone Light.
Senior defensive end Terrell Lathan was also injured against SMU, but returned to action and is questionable for this weekend’s game.
Yes, that is a very long read and it does not sound good at all for the Horned Frogs.
How much can Patterson’s defensive expertise stop the bleeding of missing potentially seven starters? TCU's offense is good, but can it win this game on its own, if it has to?
5. National Spotlight
The Red Raiders had a very quiet off-season as everyone around the program was eager to kickoff 2015 and get the 4-8 season further and further behind them. With a road win against Arkansas and a 3-0 record under their belts, it’s safe to say they have done that.
Now the question is, “Are the Red Raiders for real?”
A win this weekend should have them ranked in the Top 15 and in the thick of the Big 12 Title race for the immediate future. A loss would really not hurt them that bad unless it’s a real beating, which looks highly unlikely right now.
Can Texas Tech knock off a top five opponent on the big stage and prepare to face another one next week?
