Kansas Jayhawks at Texas Tech Red Raiders Football Preview

The Kansas Jayhawks are bowl eligible, which is a phrase followers haven’t been capable of utter for much too lengthy and has led to a serious celebration in Lawrence.

However the job and season should not over, as Lance Leipold might be fast to remind Jayhawk nation. And up subsequent is a street recreation towards an up-and-down Crimson Raiders workforce lacking some key items.

Opponent Overview

Crew: Texas Tech

File: 4-5

Line: TTU -3.5 (opened TTU -4)

Crew Kind

Texas Tech has been aggressive in a lot of the video games it has performed this 12 months, however have come up quick within the majority of its hardest video games. Apart from shedding by 28 to Baylor and beating West Virginia by 38, 4 different Texas Tech Huge 12 video games and two non-conference video games have been determined by 13 factors or much less.

The Crimson Raiders responded to that Baylor beating by staying inside 10 of TCU—and main 17-13 heading into the fourth quarter—on the street. However Tech has solely gained one in every of its final 5 video games after knocking off Texas in time beyond regulation.

Gamers to Watch

Beginning quarterback Behren Morton has already been dominated out of this recreation with an ankle damage he suffered towards TCU. This implies both Donovan Smith or Tyler Shough will begin towards Kansas. Smith has taken probably the most snaps and thrown for probably the most yards of all three (1,505 yards on 220 makes an attempt) however he additionally has eight interceptions to go along with 12 landing passes. Shough was the one who got here in for Morton towards TCU, however went simply 9-22 for 78 yards, a landing, and a decide.

Tech could have a brand new coach nevertheless it nonetheless likes to throw the ball across the discipline and there’s no scarcity of choices. Xavier White, Myles Worth, and Jerand Bradley have all caught a minimum of 31 passes and gained a minimum of 335 yards. It is also getting receiver Trey Cleveland again from damage, in addition to two offensive linemen. Although lineman Ty Buchanan can be out for Saturday’s recreation.

This passing assault additionally consists of the Crimson Raiders’ two-headed monster at operating again. SaRodorick Thompson and Tahj Brooks are almost equivalent in rushes (97 and 96) and yards (481 and 479) although Brooks has discovered the top zone six occasions to Thompson’s three. However they’re additionally closely concerned within the passing recreation. The 2 have a mixed 40 receptions out of the backfield for greater than 200 yards.

On protection, the Kansas offensive line should work laborious to cease Tyree Wilson. Wilson is second within the convention in sacks (7) and leads the convention in tackles for loss (14).

Matchups to Watch

Who will win between the Tech passing recreation and Kansas secondary ought to be a significant component within the end result of the sport. Tech averages 318 passing yards per recreation but in addition throws almost two interceptions every recreation. The Crimson Raiders didn’t throw any interceptions and threw for greater than 300 yards of their two Huge 12 wins however threw 9 interceptions within the 4 convention losses.

Three of the 4 convention losses additionally featured Tech’s opponent dashing for greater than 200 yards, which clearly is value noting contemplating what Devin Neal and the Jayhawks dashing assault simply did towards Oklahoma State.

Prediction

That is the Jayhawks most winnable recreation left on the schedule, regardless of being on the street. The Crimson Raiders’ quarterback is unclear at this level, and Kansas has to really feel nice that whether or not it’s Jason Bean or Jalon Daniels enjoying, the offense ought to have loads of confidence. Final week was a celebration however I’m going to say it will get even higher on Saturday with win quantity seven.

Kansas 42, Texas Tech 31