K-State Wildcats vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders: Prediction, game preview, time, line, TV
THE DETAILS
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan
TV: FS1
Radio: KKGQ (92.3 FM) in Wichita, KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City
The line: Kansas State by 2 1/2
PREDICTION
This game should make Kansas State football fans nervous.
Yes, the Wildcats traditionally own the Red Raiders. They have won eight of the past nine in this series, including four straight at home. K-State, not Texas Tech, is also the team coming into this game riding the momentum of a much-publicized victory over a top 10 team. But all of those factors will provide extra motivation for the visiting team.
Texas Tech collapsed late during a 63-56 overtime loss to Texas but still showed big improvements from Game 1 to Game 2.
How will K-State respond after a huge win? How will Texas Tech respond after a crushing loss? The answers to those questions could easily decide this game.
The Wildcats typically beat the Red Raiders by establishing the run and playing the game at a methodical pace, which frustrates Texas Tech as it tries to go as fast as possible and run 100 plays on offense.
If they can run the ball well on Saturday, they won’t have any problem. But K-State has only rushed for a total 157 yards in its first two games, so this might be more of a shootout than we are accustomed to.
Quarterback Alan Bowman has all-conference potential and has already thrown for 761 yards and seven touchdowns this season. The Red Raiders are as potent as ever on offense. But he has also tossed four interceptions.
That could be the deciding factor in this game. Skylar Thompson is much better at taking care of the football and hasn’t thrown an interception this season.
K-State showed noticeable improvement on the offensive line last week and created four turnovers on defense. Here’s guessing the Wildcats will build on that and win a close game against the Red Raiders.
Still, this is the type of game K-State can’t overlook, even as a home favorite.
Kansas State 44, Texas Tech 41.
This story was originally published October 3, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "K-State Wildcats vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders: Prediction, game preview, time, line, TV."