TCU-TEXAS TECH
The Horned Frogs and Red Raiders tangle in Lubbock.
Who has the edge
Offense — Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are seventh in passing (343.6), 13th in scoring (38.2) and 15th in total offense (489.9). Shimonek is the fourth-ranked passer in the nation (and the Big 12), with 3,314 yards and 28 TDs on 275-of393 passing (70 percent). TCU is 31st in total offense (433.8) but posted its two lowest-scoring efforts in the losses to Oklahoma (20 points) and Iowa State (seven points). Defense — TCU. The Horned Frogs have had their issues recently, but the run defense still is second in the country at 82.7 yards per game allowed. The Sooners ran for 200 yards last week but needed 41 carries (4.9 yards per rush). The Red Raiders are 127th in pass defense (300) and opponents are converting on third down 44 percent of the time (65-of-148). Special teams — Even. TCU K Jonathan Song is a perfect 8-of-8 on FGs, but he sat out the Oklahoma game and the Horned Frogs suffered, with replacement Ryan Graf missing from 30 yards. Texas Tech WR Keke Coutee
opened the Baylor game with a 92-yard kickoff-return TD and K Clayton Hartfield snapped a streak of four straight games without a FG by converting from 39 yards.
Notable: The Horned Frogs won 82-27 in 2014 and 55-52 in 2015. They set single-game school records for points and passing TDs in 2014, with QB Trevone Boykin throwing for 433 yards and seven TDs. But the Red Raiders prevailed last year, winning 27-24 in two overtimes after holding Hill to 160 yards, one INT and no TDs on 16-of-29 passing.
About TCU: The Horned Frogs suffered their second setback in three games, falling 38-20 in a top-10 showdown with Oklahoma that put a damper on a season that started so well. They also may have lost leading rusher Darius Anderson (128-768, eight TDs), who is a George Ranch product, for the season with a foot injury, putting more pressure on Hill to lead the way.
About Texas Tech: The Red Raiders snapped a four-game losing streak with a 38-24 victory over Baylor, taking advantage of four turnovers and two defense/ special-teams scores, including Douglas Coleman’s 31-yard fumble-return TD in the fourth. Shimonek threw for 246 yards and two TDs, with WR Dylan Cantrell (11-94 receiving) the primary beneficiary.