Kansas at Texas Tech Football Preview

The Jayhawks celebrated bowl eligibility last week but will look to keep the celebration going in Lubbock on Saturday.

The Kansas Jayhawks are bowl eligible, which is a phrase fans haven’t been able to utter for far too long and has led to a major celebration in Lawrence.

But the job and season are not over, as Lance Leipold will be quick to remind Jayhawk nation. And up next is a road game against an up-and-down Red Raiders team missing some key pieces.

Opponent Overview

Team: Texas Tech

Record: 4-5

Line: TTU -3.5 (opened TTU -4)

Team Form

Texas Tech has been competitive in most of the games it has played this year, but have come up short in the majority of its toughest games. Aside from losing by 28 to Baylor and beating West Virginia by 38, four other Texas Tech Big 12 games and two non-conference games were decided by 13 points or less.

The Red Raiders responded to that Baylor beating by staying within 10 of TCU—and leading 17-13 heading into the fourth quarter—on the road. But Tech has only won one of its last five games after knocking off Texas in overtime.

Players to Watch

Starting quarterback Behren Morton has already been ruled out of this game with an ankle injury he suffered against TCU. This means either Donovan Smith or Tyler Shough will start against Kansas. Smith has taken the most snaps and thrown for the most yards of all three (1,505 yards on 220 attempts) but he also has eight interceptions to go with 12 touchdown passes. Shough was the one who came in for Morton against TCU, but went just 9-22 for 78 yards, a touchdown, and a pick.

Tech may have a new coach but it still loves to throw the ball around the field and there’s no shortage of options. Xavier White, Myles Price, and Jerand Bradley have all caught at least 31 passes and gained at least 335 yards. It also is getting receiver Trey Cleveland back from injury, as well as two offensive linemen. Though lineman Ty Buchanan is also out for Saturday’s game.

This passing attack also includes the Red Raiders’ two-headed monster at running back. SaRodorick Thompson and Tahj Brooks are nearly identical in rushes (97 and 96) and yards (481 and 479) though Brooks has found the end zone six times to Thompson’s three. But they are also heavily involved in the passing game. The two have a combined 40 receptions out of the backfield for more than 200 yards.

On defense, the Kansas offensive line will have to work hard to stop Tyree Wilson. Wilson is second in the conference in sacks (7) and leads the conference in tackles for loss (14).

Matchups to Watch

Who will win between the Tech passing game and Kansas secondary should be a major factor in the outcome of the game. Tech averages 318 passing yards per game but also throws nearly two interceptions each game. The Red Raiders didn’t throw any interceptions and threw for more than 300 yards in their two Big 12 wins but threw nine interceptions in the four conference losses.

Three of the four conference losses also featured Tech’s opponent rushing for more than 200 yards, which obviously is worth noting considering what Devin Neal and the Jayhawks rushing attack just did against Oklahoma State.

Prediction

This is the Jayhawks most winnable game left on the schedule, despite being on the road. The Red Raiders’ quarterback is unclear at this point, and Kansas has to feel great that whether it’s Jason Bean or Jalon Daniels playing, the offense should have plenty of confidence. Last week was a celebration but I’m going to say it gets even better on Saturday with win number seven.

Kansas 42, Texas Tech 31