Texas Tech Red Raiders at Kansas Jayhawks
Memorial Stadium – Lawrence, Kansas
Saturday, October 1, 2011, 12:00 pm Eastern, TV: Fox Sports Net
Opening Line: Texas Tech -9 1/2
Current Line: Texas Tech -6 1/2
Opening Total: 66
Current Total: 66
Opening Money Line: Texas Tech -270 / Kansas +230
Current Money Line: Texas Tech -250 / Kansas +210
Texas Tech and Kansas will play for the 13th time ever this Saturday. The Red Raiders lead the series 11-1 including a 42-21 victory in 2009 the last time the two teams played. This is the Big 12 opener for both teams. Texas Tech is 3-0 under coach Tommy Tuberville, with wins over Texas St 50-10, at New Mexico 59-13, and last week at home against Nevada 35-34. Kansas is coached by Turner Gill, and is 2-1 this season. The Jayhawks opened the season with two home wins against McNeese St 42-24 and Northern Illinois 45-42 before getting crushed at Georgia Tech 66-24 two weeks ago.
Texas Tech was a 15.5 point favorite last week against Nevada but barely escaped with a 35-34 victory against the Wolf Pack. Nevada was up by 10 points in the fourth quarter 31-21, but Texas Tech scored with 36 seconds left to grab the victory. Receiver Eric Ward caught a four yard score from quarterback Seth Doege for the game winner. Doege had 2 other touchdown throws in the win, and running back Eric Stephens added 134 rushing yards and 2 scores. The Red Raiders had 441 total yards including 219 rushing yards. Tech gave up 562 total yards to the Nevada including 312 rushing yards.
Texas Tech has one of the most potent offenses in the country averaging 523.3 total yards and 48 points a game. The Red Raiders are averaging 338.7 passing yards a game. Those numbers are all ranked in the top 10 nationally. The Red Raiders have 2 turnovers and have allowed 4 sacks. Texas Tech is 28/45 on third and fourth down conversions, and 17/17 scoring in the red zone with 16 touchdowns. The Red Raider defense is definitely bend but don’t break. They give up a ton of yards but not a lot of points. Tech is allowing 410 yards including 225.7 rushing yards a game. However, Texas Tech is only allowing 19 points a game. Texas Tech has forced 7 turnovers and 6 sacks. Red Raider opponents are 22/51 on third and fourth down conversions, and 8/11 scoring in the red zone, with 5 touchdowns.
Doege is 89/115 passing with 949 yards, 11 touchdowns and no interceptions along with 14 carries for 76 yards. Stephens has 61 carries, 344 yards, and 5 touchdo0wns, along with 10 catches for 93 yards. Receiver Darrin Moore has 21 catches, 339 yards, and 4 touchdowns. Ward has 16 catches for 144 yards, and 4 scores. Kicker Donnie Carona is 19/19 on extra points and 1/1 on field goals with a 23 yard kick.
Kansas was only down 24-17 at halftime two weeks ago at Georgia Tech. However, the Yellow Jackets scored 42 unanswered points before Kansas scored a meaningless touchdown late in the fourth to make the final score 66-24. Kansas had 362 total yards and 19 first downs. They gave up 768 total yards to Georgia Tech including an incredible 604 rushing yards. Neither team had a turnover in the game.
Kansas is averaging 447.7 yards and 37 points a game. The Jayhawks average 235 rushing yards a game, which is #18 in the country. Kansas has one turnover and has allowed 5 sacks this season. The Jayhawks are 30/52 on third and fourth downs conversions, and 13/13 scoring in the red zone, with 11 touchdowns. The defense has been awful for Kansas this season, as they have allowed 550 yards a game including 282 rushing yards a game. Kansas is also allowing 44 points a game. All are dead last statistically in the country. The pass defense is allowing 268 yards a game but that is only ranked 102nd out of 120 teams. Kansas has one turnover and has allowed 5 sacks this season. Jayhawk opponents are 23/40 on third and fourth down conversions, and 13/15 scoring in the red zone with 11 touchdowns.
Kansas quarterback Jordan Webb is 39/59 passing with 575 yards, with 6 touchdowns, and no interceptions, along with 22 carries, 30 yards, and a touchdown. Running back James Sims has 56 carries 254 yards, and 3 touchdowns, along with 3 catches for 56 yards. Darrian Miller has 34 carries for 173 yards, and 3 scores, along with a catch for 7 yards. Receiver JaCorey Shepherd has 5 catches for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns. He is questionable with a groin injury for the Texas Tech game. D.J. Beshears has 12 catches for 135 yards, and 2 scores. If Shepherd can’t go look for Tim Biere and former quarterback Kale pick to get more targets. Kicker Alex Mueller is 15/15 on extra points and 2/3 on field goals with a long of 28 yards.
Kansas is 2-1 against the spread this season and all 3 games have gone over the total. Texas Tech is 2-1 ATS and 2 of the 3 games have gone over the total. The Jayhawks are 2-10 ATS versus teams with winning records over the last 3 seasons, 11-23 ATS in their last 34 as a home underdog, and 1-8 ATS in their last 9 October games. Texas Tech is 3-0-1 in the last 4 after failing to cover in the previous game, and 2-8 ATS in the last 10 as a road favorite of between 3.5 and 10 points.
This looks like a shootout as each defense struggles to stop teams and both have good offenses. The line has dropped from Texas tech being a 9.5 point favorite to 6.5. I know they are on the road, but Tech should be able to win by at least a touchdown, and could even get to the 66 point total by themselves.
Our college football handicappers had a terrific September to open the season and look to have an even better October. Shop and compare the best lines for every game with our college football odds page.
