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TCU and Texas Tech play Saturday in a game that will likely find the two teams sprinting bast the set Over/Under of 88 somewhere around the halfway point in the third quarter. These defenses are in for a long game.
Tech’s prolific passing offense keeps it in games that it’s defense tries desperately to lose, but Tech has still only managed a 3-4 record to this point in the season.
As you prepare for Saturday, hhere are a few names to keep an eye.
1. Patrick Mahomes, QB
I mean, this is really where we could begin and end. Mahomes leads the NCAA in passing yards with 3,313 (473/game), is third in the country with 26 passing touchdowns, and put up over 750 passing yards against Oklahoma last week.
On top of that, Mahomes has rushed 75 times for 237 yards and nine touchdowns.
He suffered a shoulder injury a few weeks ago in a loss to West Virginia, but is obviously healthy again. He’s been sacked 15 times this season, though, and TCU’s defensive line will need to get constant pressure on him if they want to disrupt this Tech offense.
2. Jonathan Giles, WR
Giles is the second leading receiver in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma’s Dede Westbrook, with 917 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns already this season. Like Westbrook, Giles is a burner, and he can blow the top off of opposing defenses.
3. Cameron Batson, WR
Batson is Tech’s version of KaVontae Turpin. He’s small, speedy, and has the ability to make people miss. He’s second on the team in receptions (41) and touchdowns (6), and should be all over the field on Saturday.
4. Keke Coutee, WR
Did you really think there wouldn’t be at least three receivers on here? Coutee is second on the team in receiving yards (465) on just 27 catches this season. He also has four receiving touchdowns. The theme here is that he’s another reliable target for Pat Mahomes to throw to.
5. Texas Tech’s defense
Yeah, this one’s a cheat. Tech’s defense has only forced five turnovers all season (three INTs, two fumbles), and has allowed an average of 532.7 yards and 43.2 points per game. If there was ever a chance for TCU’s offense to get things figured out, it’s this game.