Texas Tech Football Looks To Become Bowl-Game Eligible
In our Texas Tech football vs K-State preview, we evaluate what TTU needs to do to win this next game and become bowl eligible. Up next is a home game against the Kansas State Wildcats after winning their last game on the road against the Kansas Jayhawks. The Red Raiders are coming into the game with a 5-2 record and are having one of their better seasons in recent years.
Tech will look to add a sixth with five wins by becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2017. The game will be played Saturday, October 23rd at 11 am at home in Lubbock, Texas, at Jones AT&T Stadium. With it being Parents and Family weekend it is sure to be a phenomenal atmosphere.
K-State Football Overall Preview
The Kansas State Wildcats are coming into Saturday’s contest with a 3-3 record on the season and have been struggling as of late. After starting their preseason 3-0 beating Stanford, Southern Illinois, and Nevada, the Wildcats lost their last three Big 12 Conference games.
Those losses coming from teams that the Red Raiders have not yet faced. Which are Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, and Iowa State, two of the three are ranked in the top 15. If the Red Raiders wish to play in a bowl game, this is arguably their least competitive opponent left on their schedule and will be a must-win game.
K- State Preview Players to Keep an Eye On
While the Wildcats may have a 3-3 record, it does not accurately reflect this Kansas State squad’s talent. With many players returning from last year’s team, the Wildcats and some of their key players will be worth keeping an eye on.
Skyler Thompson
The team leader on the offensive side of things is quarterback Skyler Thompson who is having a fair season. Thus far, Thompson has 56 completions on just 82 attempts having a 68.3% in six games. He also had a 56 yard long with five touchdowns and three interceptions and rarely turns the ball over. Perhaps one of the more interesting statistics is that Thompson has only been sacked seven times this season. Meaning that he is elusive and has a solid offensive line in front of him.
Deuce Vaughn
Kansas State also has a dangerous rushing game when not contained. The Wildcats leading rusher for the season is Deuce Vaughn, who has 108 carries on the season. On Vaughn’s 108 carries, he has 543 yards. Averaging 5 yards per carry with a 59 yard long accompanied by five touchdowns. Along with being the team’s leading rusher, he also has the most receptions on the team with 23 and the second-most receiving yards.
Phillip Brooks
The teams leading receiver on the season is Phillip Brooks, who has 20 receptions for 279 yards. Brooks is averaging 13.9 yards per catch with a 56-yard long catch with two touchdowns on the season. While only standing at 5’7″, Brooks may be a smaller receiver, but the combination of his speed and route-running skills makes him a threat at all three levels.
Daniel Green
The Wildcats leading defender comes out of the linebacker position in Daniel Green. Green leads the team with 34 tackles and, in the 34, has 26 solos tackles with eight assists. He also has one sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery on the season. He has shown that he runs the defense through the season thus far.
Texas Tech Football Keys to Winning K-State Preview
Coming off a win, the Red Raiders have shown what they are capable of against several types of offensive and defensive systems and will have to do so this weekend.
One of the keys to stopping the Wildcat offense is to find and stop Vaughn. Being capable of making big plays from both the run and pass game will put a target on him for the Red Raiders. If they are to stop him, they will need to know where he is at all times. By doing so, will limit the Wildcat’s offensive production.
On the offensive side of things, the Red Raiders will need to establish the run game early. With SaRodrick Thompson having a great season after returning from injury. He will need to perform at the top of his game. By establishing a run game early, it will make the defense step up to stop the run. From there it will open up the secondary for the pass. With a roster full of talented receivers, this is where the Red Raiders will need to capitalize on getting ahead on the scoreboard.
Overall Texas Tech Football vs K-State Preview
Overall, TTU looks to become bowl game eligible and get another Big 12 Conference win against the Kansas State Wildcats. In what should be an exciting game between the two. Expect a high-scoring game that will ultimately come down to who can get more stops on defense.
On Saturday, October 23rd at 11 am at home in Lubbock, Texas; the game will be played at Jones AT&T Stadium. With it being Parents and Family Weekend at the university this weekend, fans can expect a full house in the highly anticipated matchup between the two.
You can still buy tickets online at TexasTech.com or watch on Fox Sports 1 and Texas Tech Sports Network as the Red Raiders looks to become bowl eligible.
For last week’s games recap click here!
For Texas Tech Footballs’ entire schedule click here!
Story by Campus Live Employee Trinity Porter