Texas Tech and Kansas State are both currently trying to turn the corner ... it’s just that they’re different corners. The Red Raiders are trying to move up from being a 7-5 program and become that swagger-filled, consistently good program that Kliff Kingsbury wants them to be — like the program they were under Mike Leach.
How to watch Texas Tech vs. Kansas State: Game guide, TV/streaming, odds
Can Texas Tech beat one of the Big 12 contenders?
Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Meanwhile, Kansas State has already taken a situation with a lot of disadvantages and turned it into a lot of wins. The Wildcats have turned into a legitimate Big 12 contender every year, and they were even close to making the national title game a few years ago, but they’ve fallen short at times in big game situations. That was true again when they faced Auburn at home this year.
Can Texas Tech achieve Kansas State status, as it had during the Leach years? The Red Raiders are a long way away from that, but beating the Wildcats would be a good place to start.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPNU
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Our sites on these teams
The numbers
Rankings and records: Kansas State is 3-1, and the Wildcats are ranked 22nd in the Coaches Poll and 23rd in the AP Poll. Texas Tech is 2-2 and unranked.
Vegas: Kansas State opened as a 12.5-point favorite and is now a 14.5-point favorite. The over/under is 68.
Weather forecast: Partly cloudy with a high of 63 and a low of 47.
Two things at stake
Texas Tech could get into bowl eligibility issues if it loses too much early in the year. The Red Raiders are still likely to make a bowl game, but a win here would make it more of a sure thing.
Kansas State can’t lose this game and still expect to be a Big 12 contender this season.
One big matchup
Kansas State offense vs. Texas Tech defense: Texas Tech is going to struggle more to score points against Kansas State than it will against other teams, so the Red Raiders need to make sure their defense also holds up its end of the bargain. The Wildcats have proven that they can move the ball against bad defenses — and the Red Raiders’ defense certainly qualifies as such — and if they do, this game could be over early. Texas Tech needs to force some turnovers to stay in this one.
Further reading
Read Viva The Matadors for more on Texas Tech and Bring On The Cats for more on Kansas State.
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