This Big 12 matchup has the potential to be a high scoring affair if both offenses are clicking. NCAAF expert picks have TCU as heavy favorites in this matchup, and rightfully so. After giving up 61 points to Baylor, the Horned Frogs rebounded and completely shut down Oklahoma State's offense. Now TCU is a top-10 team and has hopes of having an outside shot of making the College Football Playoff. Texas Tech has struggled most of the season and looked unimpressive again in a win over Kansas last week. They will likely be in over their heads when they travel to Fort Worth to play TCU. Not many NCAAF predictions experts are giving them a chance to win this one due to their lack of discipline and defense.
Coach Kliff Kingsbury's high-flying offense has been anything but this season. He knows his only chance of winning this game is to get into a shoot out since the Red Raiders defense hasn't proved that they can stop many teams. But even if a shoot out happens, TCU proved that they can put up some big numbers on offense. At this point in the season, the Red Raiders need to be playing some younger guys that they feel have the potential to be good in the future. Upsets have been happening all over college football over the last couple of weeks, but Texas Tech doesn't seem like they have the talent to be able to pull one off this week against TCU.
TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin is one of the surprises of college football this season. He has clearly adapted well to the new offensive scheme and looks to be a leader of the team. After the defense got embarrassed against Baylor, they stood strong against Oklahoma State and look to do the same this week. Tech has the ability to put up points and they always play a competitive battle with TCU. The Horned Frogs win just about every position battle on paper so Boykin will just need to do his thing and TCU shouldn't have much of a problem winning this game.
TCU coach Gary Patterson will need to make sure that his team is mentally prepared for this game. After playing some of the top opponents in the conference over the last few weeks, it would be easy for his players to relax now that they are playing a lesser opponent. The Red Raiders need a reason to believe they can win the game so if TCU comes out flat, then they could find themselves down early in the game. With the TCU defense playing well at home this season, it will only be a matter of time before they get some big turnovers. Expect them to put pressure on Tech quarterback Davis Webb and overwhelm the Red Raiders offense. This game may be within reach by halftime, but it will get out of hand by the end of the third quarter.
NCAAF expert picks for this matchup:
Texas Tech 20
TCU 42