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College football Week 7: Top 25 schedule and predictions

By Akash Anavarathan

PULLMAN, WA - SEPTEMBER 29: USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) tries to fight off the tackle of Washington State Cougars linebacker Jahad Woods (13) during the game between the USC Trojans and the Washington State Cougars on September 29, 2017, at Martin Stadium in Pullman, WA. (Photo by Robert Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA - SEPTEMBER 29: USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) tries to fight off the tackle of Washington State Cougars linebacker Jahad Woods (13) during the game between the USC Trojans and the Washington State Cougars on September 29, 2017, at Martin Stadium in Pullman, WA. (Photo by Robert Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LAWRENCE, KS – OCTOBER 7: Quarterback Nic Shimonek
LAWRENCE, KS – OCTOBER 7: Quarterback Nic Shimonek /

No. 24 Texas Tech at West Virginia

Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 15, 12:00 PM, ESPNU

At the beginning of the season, if I said Texas Tech-West Virginia is going to be a good matchup, most of you would have laughed me out of the room.

But six weeks into the season the Red Raiders and Mountaineers have combined for only three losses. It’s going to be a great matchup on Saturday, let’s take a look at some things to watch.

Three Things to Watch

1. Can the Red Raiders continue their rushing attack, alongside the Air Raid?

Under Kliff Kingsbury, the Red Raiders have always been known for their aerial assault on defenses, but one of the most consistent parts of Texas Tech’s team this year has been their running game. Per game, they rush for nearly 164 yards.

Justin Stockton has been the leading rusher for the Red Raiders. Let’s see if he can keep it going against the Mountaineers this weekend.

2. Can Nic Shimonek continue to be as dominant for the Red Raiders?

Pat Mahomes heads out the door to the NFL and Nic Shimonek walks in, and all the while, Texas Tech hasn’t dropped a beat so far this season.

Shimonek has been fantastic this year, completing nearly 72 percent of his passes in a quarterback-friendly system, throwing for over 1,800 yards and having a fantastic touchdown to interception ratio at 14:3.

The Mountaineers’ defense has been swiss cheese-like, so Shimonek will likely continue his dominant ways and have a good game for the Red Raiders.

3. Who will get a stop first in this game?

This is almost like a 1-on-1 pickup game in basketball where the two players are dominant offensively and the winner is the first person to get a stop.

That’s the case again in this game with the Mountaineers and Red Raiders’ defense being so shaky. I love the offenses but despise the defensive play on both sides.

I like the Mountaineers at home, coming off of a tough loss on the road.

West Virginia over Texas Tech, 52-49.

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