Kansas State Wildcats vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Game Pick

The Red Raiders have been a game away from reaching bowl-eligible status since a mid-October win against Kansas.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders made a first-half goal stand up in a 1-0 victory against the University of North Texas on Friday night in the opening round of the NCAA Division I tournament at the John Walker Soccer Complex on the campus of Texas Tech. But, this is where it gets tricky; Kansas State’s offense is going to be similar to the Oklahoma State offense.

Texas Tech (5-5, 2-5) is in the same position.

The leading rusher for the Wildcats is their duel threat quarterback Joe Hubener. Don’t expect many calls against the Wildcats on game day.

Last week, Baylor’s passing offense bombarded the Wildcat secondary for 419 yards.

He is truly the alpha and omega of the Kansas State offense.

The defense is averaging giving up only 29 points per game including holding Baylor to 31 and Oklahoma State to 36.

Since the start of previous year, Kansas State is an even 7-7 SU against Big 12 opponents, while Texas Tech is just 4-12 SU against conference foes.

The truth is that the Wildcat defense is a mash unit and has been for much of the season.

Texas Tech is a five-point favorite against the Wildcats.

Tech coach, Tom Stone said this is one the best UNT teams he’s ever faced and it played a unique brand of soccer. The Red Raiders (5-5), who end their season on November 26 at Texas, must win one of their final two games to hit the magic six-win mark necessary for bowl eligibility while the visiting Wildcats (3-5), who still have home games with Iowa State and West Virginia wrapped around a road date at Kansas, must win three of their final four contests. It is critical for the Wildcats to prepare for Texas Tech’s big-play defense, which ranks 17th in the nation with two turnovers per game. The two starting defensive tackles, Travis Britz and Will Gerary, are both under 300-pounds but will be a challenge for the interior of the Texas Tech offensive line.

UNT and Tech both played this game after winning in their own respective conferences with North Texas winning in the Conference United States of America and Tech in the Big 12. This may be the most untalented roster Bill Snyder has had to work with since his return to coaching the Wildcats in 2009 after a 3-year hiatus.

The Collegian’s sports editor Tim Everson, lead football writer Andrew Hammond and writers Liz Heath and Avery Osen gave their individual take on who they think is the most important in K-State’s matchup with Texas Tech this Saturday.

What the Wildcats lack in talent, they make up for in discipline and heart. What are you going to see that you haven’t seen before that will involve him? They survive by being sounder and mentally tougher than their opponents.

But this year’s Wildcats are different from teams of the past. Although Texas Tech has recovered eight fumbles this season, Kansas State hasn’t put the ball on the ground often.

Silmon and Jones are being out-rushed by their quarterback, but in their defense, the offense is centered on a running quarterback.