TCU looking for consecutive Big 12 wins while Texas Tech trying to rebound from 1st league loss
Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton throws across the field while being pressured by Baylor linebacker Matt Jones in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct 19, 2024, in Lubbock, Texas. Credit: AP/Rod Aydelotte
Texas Tech (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) at TCU (4-3, 2-2), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Fox)
BetMGM College Football Odds: TCU by 6 1/2.
Series record: Texas Tech leads 33-30-3.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The Saddle Trophy that goes to the winner of this rivalry game. TCU will try to win consecutive Big 12 games for the first time since its undefeated 2022 regular season. The Red Raiders are looking to bounce back from their first Big 12 loss, a surprising 24-point setback at home to Baylor, which had lost its first three conference games.
KEY MATCHUP
Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton is averaging 275 yards passing per game with 17 TDs and is one of nine FBS quarterbacks, the only one from the Big 12, to have 200 passing attempts with three or fewer interceptions. The Horned Frogs have allowed only 161.7 yards a game through the air, and only one team (UCF) has thrown for at least 200 yards against them.
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover (10) drops back to pass as Houston linebacker Jamal Morris (25) rushes in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. Credit: AP/Tony Gutierrez
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Texas Tech: Big 12 rushing leader Tahj Brooks (134 ypg) is only the second FBS player since 1996 with at least 95 yards rushing in 17 consecutive games. The most in that span is 19 in a row by Minnesota's Mohamed Ibrahim from 2020-22. Brooks has more than 100 yards in 14 of those games, including 146 against TCU last year.
TCU: Third-year sophomore QB Josh Hoover is the Big 12 passing leader at 324.3 yards per game, even after his nine-game streak with at least 20 completions and two TDs ended in a 13-7 win at Utah last week. Hoover has completed 66.4% (184 of 277) of his passes, just below the single-season school record of 67.3%. He has 2,270 yards passing, on pace to break Trevone Boykin's single-season school record of 3,901.
FACTS & FIGURES
Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks (28) rushes for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Nov. 11, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Credit: AP/Colin E Braley
Tech's 35-28 win at home last season ended the Frogs' four-game winning streak in the series, their longest since winning the first five games played against each other from 1926-30. ... The 21.3 receptions per game for TCU receivers are the most for a Power Four team. ... The Frogs have recorded at least 10 passing first downs in 19 consecutive games. The only longer FBS streak is LSU's 23 in a row. ... The Red Raiders are 11-3 in one-possession game under third-year coach Joey McGuire.
