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Football
Big offense likely in Big 12 opener: No. 3 TCU @ Texas Tech | FOX Sports
With both defenses struggling, the Frogs and Raiders could light up the scoreboard.
CU averages 599 total yards and 50 points a game, while Texas Tech is gaining 590 yards with 54 points a game. Patrick Mahomes was 5-of-11 passing for 45 yards with a TD and an interception off the bench last season against TCU, but is now the Red Raiders' No. 1 QB and third in the Big 12 with 386 total yards a game, just ahead of Boykin's 378 a game.
TCU preview: Inside the matchup vs. Texas Tech | Fort Worth Star Telegram
Mahomes will be difficult to stop.
The Horned Frogs struggled to slow SMU quarterback Matt Davis last week, as he accounted for 392 yards in the Frogs’ 56-37 win. Like Davis, Mahomes can do things with both his arm and legs. He’s already thrown for 1,029 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 129 yards. Mahomes has a chance to put up big numbers against a TCU team that was beat up before the SMU game and will be without defensive back Ranthony Texada, who is out for the season after suffering a knee injury in the SMU game.
TCU notes: Pierson's return bright spot on battered defense | Fort Worth Star Telegram
Pierson won't start, but the senior who is recovering from a concussion will see the field early.
To keep him away from the intensity of the first few snaps of the game, he won’t start, but he will see significant playing time early in the game, Patterson said.
Texas Tech defensive coordinator has been Big 12's top newcomer | Fort Worth Star Telegram
An improved defense against subpar competition is one thing. Let's see how they do against the Frogs O.
Tech (3-0) has limited its nonconference opponents to an average of 29.7 points, almost two touchdowns per game below last year’s average (41.3). The Red Raiders are tied for No. 10 nationally in turnovers gained (2.67 per contest) and eighth in turnover margin (1.67) heading into Saturday’s showdown against No. 3 TCU (3-0) in Lubbock (3:45 p.m., KDFW/Ch. 4).
Mahomes' dual-threat ability should be a concern for the Frogs.
Mahomes has quickly erased any memory of quarterback controversies in Lubbock. Through three games he's thrown for more than 1,000 yards, completed 66 percent of his passes and tossed nine touchdowns. Like his coach when he was at Tech, he can sling it.
But one part of Mahomes' game that might get overlooked is his ability to scramble to extend a play or run the ball himself. He's second on the team with 129 rushing yards on 21 carries. He also has four rushing touchdowns.