No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Everyone knew the TCU Horned Frogs would have no problem scoring the ball this season with Trevone Boykin under center, but the real question was how well the defense would do. The Horned Fogs have the Heisman-caliber quarterback playing well, but Boykin’s ability to lead the offense isn’t doing much to aid the average defense.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders have already gotten off to a hot start in 2015, winning their first two contests against inferior opponents and then traveling to face improved SEC foe Arkansas in week three. Sophomore quarterback Patrick Mahomes is leading Kliff Kingsbury’s offense to perfection and the Red Raiders are the surprise team in the Big 12
Details for Saturday’s game are below:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Start Time: 4:45 p.m. ET
Location: Lubbock, TX
Stadium: Jones AT&T Stadium
TV Info: FOX
Live Stream: WatchESPN app
Radio: For TCU radio affiliates, click here. For Texas Tech radio affiliates, click here.
Ticket information: For ticket info, click here.
Keys to Victory
TCU Horned Frogs
The Horned Frogs have one of the strongest offenses in the country, so Trevone Boykin connecting with Josh Doctson and Kolby Listenbee shouldn’t be an issue. The senior quarterback has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards on the season while Doctson has 17 catches for 326 yards and three scores.
Aaron Green needs to do a solid job in taking some of the pressure off Boykin, though. He averages 6.0 yards per carry, so his success shouldn’t be an issue against Texas Tech’s suspect defense. The real key to the game, besides the success of Green in the run game, is the ability of TCU’s defense to slow down one of the best passing offenses in the country.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
If the Horned Frogs can slow down Mahomes, they will be in good shape, but the sophomore quarterback has been an absolute stud this season. Heck, he completed 87 percent of his passes against Arkansas last week for 243 yards and a touchdown; he also ran the ball 10 times for 58 yards and two touchdowns.
Texas Tech will need to just keep airing it out and hoping for the best against an average Horned Frogs secondary that was tested last week against SMU. Mahomes needs to also be able to keep up his ability to tuck and run with the ball as well as keep the clock running a bit as well with the help of DeAndre Washington. Keeping the ball out of Boykin’s hands as much as possible will be key.
Betting Odds
Point Spead: TCU -6.5
Moneyline: TCU -255, Texas Tech +215
O/U: 80.5
Prediction
Trevone Boykin will have a big day as he will be forced to out-duel Patrick Mahomes. This will be an offensive shootout and both quarterbacks will finish with over 300 yards and Boykin will come out on top with 363 yards through the air, 50 on the ground and five total touchdowns.
This will be a big confidence-booster for the Red Raiders, though, as they will keep this one close as upset alert will be on full blast until halfway through the fourth quarter. A late touchdown by Boykin will ice it, but the Red Raiders will show everyone that they can hand with the best.
Final Score: TCU 45, Texas Tech 34
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