Know Your Opponent: Texas Tech and the Wildcats in for a detailed sport

Staff Outlook

Texas Tech (3-1) (1-0)

Equally to Kansas State, Texas Tech has gained optimistic recognition from followers after an upset win. The Crimson Raiders defeated the Texas Longhorns 37-34 in an additional time victory. It was the third time they confronted off towards a ranked opponent this season and their second win towards one. They’ve performed in two additional time video games already and are not any stranger to competitors so far. With a excessive powered offense led by quarterback Donovan Smith, the Crimson Raiders will come to Manhattan prepared for one more potential battle to the tip with the No. 25 ranked Wildcats.

Kansas State (3-1) (1-0)

Ok-State is coming off a season-changing win towards Oklahoma. The offense helped lead the group as they took down the Sooners 41-34. Whereas the protection has been the face of the group, it was quarterback Adrian Martinez who starred towards the then-ranked No. 6 group within the nation. It was the primary time the Ok-State protection discovered themselves being pushed again by an offense this season. The group is in for one more check with the Crimson Raiders bringing within the fifth most passing yards per sport within the nation.

Key Matchup to Watch: Donovan Smith vs. Ok-State Secondary

Smith has helped lead the Crimson Raiders to changing into top-of-the-line passing offenses in school soccer. Throwing the ball at a excessive fee has led to 9 touchdowns but additionally loads of interceptions. Smith has thrown 5 interceptions this season, two towards North Carolina State and three towards Houston. The Longhorns had been unable to select off Smith as he bounced again within the upset win.

This up-and-down passing sport consistency faces off towards the Wildcats protection, which has caught seven interceptions this season. The secondary is led in interceptions by safeties Kobe Savage and Cincere Mason, every with two. Alongside them are safeties Josh Hayes and Drake Cheatum. All 4 have confirmed their capacity to trace the ball down the sphere and make a play. On the skin are veteran cornerbacks Julius Brents and Ekow Boye-Doe. Neither have an interception this yr, however each have collected a deflected go this season.

As Smith appears to throw the ball downfield, he can have to remember the athletes on the backend ready for him to make a mistake. Smith’s athleticism additionally brings the potential of him operating down the sphere from the pocket. It will power the secondary to proceed their success as tacklers, in addition to ballhawks on this matchup.

Associated:

Know Your Opponent: Oklahoma Sooners

Learn Now

Key Gamers

Texas Tech

Vast Receiver Myles Worth: Worth enters the sport after gathering 13 catches towards the Longhorns. He’ll probably be Smith’s predominant goal, as he leads the group in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. The passing assault will closely depend on Worth’s capacity to be open and his timeliness to make huge time performs when wanted.

Defensive Lineman Tyree Wilson: Wilson has been the focus of the protection, main the group in tackles — tackles for loss and sacks. He’s a heavy contributor in stopping the run and the go sport by reaching the quarterback. Quarterback Adrian Martinez and operating again Deuce Vaughn will have to be looking out for Wilson close to the road of scrimmage whereas he makes use of energy towards the Wildcat offensive line.

Ok-State

Security TJ Smith: At his press convention on Tuesday, head coach Chris Klieman stated Smith can count on extra taking part in time on Saturday than he has been beforehand getting. In his time towards the Sooners, Smith recorded three solo tackles. He might play a key position in each the run and go sport towards the Crimson Raiders offense.

Vast Receiver Malik Knowles: Knowles’ largest affect this season got here within the first week when he scored a 75-yard landing on the primary offensive play of the yr. Since then, he has not had an enormous statistical sport, however nonetheless leads the group in receptions and receiving yards; he has additionally left an affect on the return sport. If the Texas Tech offense finds a method to push by means of the Wildcat protection, Knowles could also be wanted to make a couple of huge performs — both to maintain up, or make sure the Crimson Raiders keep behind.

Prediction

Whoever wins this sport will probably discover themselves positioned within the prime 25. Every group has performed in huge moments and has come out on prime. The sport has an opportunity to be just like the groups’ earlier excessive scoring matchups. Texas Tech has the flexibility to maintain up with the Wildcats’ newly discovered offensive rhythm. Martinez and Vaughn might want to maintain the operating sport going similarly to final week’s efficiency the place they mixed for 264 dashing yards. This might result in Smith throwing the ball everywhere in the area and risking the possibility of Wildcat takeaways. 

This sport has potential to return right down to the ultimate minutes of motion. The primary issue might be how the battle between Smith and the Wildcat protection flows all through the evening. Whereas overlaying the 7.5-point unfold for the Wildcats could also be a problem, limiting errors ought to maintain Ok-State forward when the clock hits zero.

Ok-State 31-26