LUBBOCK, Texas – TCU looks to snap a two-game losing streak when it travels to meet in-state rival Texas Tech in a Big 12 matchup on Saturday. The Horned Frogs narrowly fell to unbeaten Baylor in triple overtime last weekend, 29-23, while the Red Raiders snapped a three-game skid with a 38-17 win at West Virginia on Saturday.
TV: Noon ET, ESPN2. LINE: TCU -3
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TCU ranks No. 1 in the Big 12 in total defense, allowing 320.7 yards per game, as well as topping the conference in rushing defense with 125.1 yards per game. Freshman quarterback Max Duggan hasn't exactly been lighting the league on fire, averaging 171.7 yards through the air with 13 touchdowns, but he does have running back Darius Anderson to hand the ball to, as the senior has 698 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Texas Tech will go with junior signal-caller Jett Duffey (1,774 yards, 10 TDs) the rest of the way, with starting quarterback Alan Bowman planning to redshirt rather than come back from his shoulder injury. The Red Raiders rushed for just 127 yards in last weekend's victory over West Virginia, but Ta'Zhawn Henry and Sarodorick Thompson each scored a pair of touchdowns.
ABOUT TCU (4-5, 2-4 Big 12)
The narrow loss to Baylor put a spotlight on the Horned Frogs’ offensive struggles, as they managed just nine points in regulation against the Bears, when just 10 would have given them a huge upset. TCU is seventh in total offense in the Big 12 (426.9 yards) as well as ranking seventh in scoring offense (32.2 points), though it doesn’t help having a freshman under center. In fact, the Horned Frogs have 48 freshmen (true and redshirt) on their roster, with six true freshmen starting at least once this season, so this could be a down season with good things coming in the near future.
ABOUT TEXAS TECH (4-5, 2-4)
The decision of Bowman to bypass coming back from the shoulder injury that knocked him out of the lineup in the season’s third game will make things very interesting for the Red Raiders going forward. Bowman, who will be a sophomore again next season, threw for 1,020 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions in three games before getting hurt against Arizona. Duffey, a junior, took over and has the Red Raiders two wins away from bowl eligibility, which could make coach Matt Wells’ decision on a starter in 2020 very interesting.
EXTRA POINTS
1. This contest features the top two tacklers in the Big 12 this season, with Texas Tech LB Jordyn Brooks leading the conference with 98, followed by TCU LB Garret Wallow with 94.
2. TCU WR Jalen Reagor is second in the nation in yards per punt return, averaging 18.4, and is third in total punt return yards with 239.
3. Red Raiders S Douglas Coleman III leads the nation with eight interceptions this season.
PREDICTION: TCU 24, Texas Tech 20