Coming off their bye week, the Kansas Jayhawks head into Saturday’s homecoming game against Texas Tech looking for momentum. KU, sitting at 1-3, has only won one Big 12 game in the last two years. Finishing last season with high hopes, the Jayhawks opened the 2017 season with a vengeance by defeating Southeast Missouri State 38-16. The Jayhawks would go on to lose three straight games and their hope of a spectacular season. Last season, Texas Tech defeated KU 55-19.
Last week, Texas Tech lost their Big 12 opener falling 41-34 to Oklahoma State. The Red Raiders held on until OSU quarterback Mason Rudolph ran in a 16-yard touchdown with just over two minutes left in the game.
Head-to-Head
Texas Tech leads the all-time series 17-1, having won the last 10 straight games. Kansas has yet to beat the Red Raiders in Lawrence, holding a record of 0-9 in Memorial Stadium. KU is looking to beat the Red Raiders for the first time in nearly two decades.
Texas Tech
The Red Raiders operate a high-powered offense, averaging 42.3 points per game and 535.6 yards per game. Quarterback Nic Shimonek is averaging 394.5 passing yards per game, while also throwing for 12 touchdowns. The Red Raiders have stacked up 503 rushing yards, led by Justin Stockton’s 224 yards. The Red Raiders could be without star receiver Keke Coutee as he went down against OSU. The Red Raiders defense is allowing 30 points per game while also allowing 454.8 yards per game.
Kansas
The Kansas Jayhawks head into Saturday with fresh legs and an improving offense. Led by quarterback Peyton Bender, the Jayhawks are averaging 32.2 points per game while gaining 480.5 yards per game. Bender, the fastest quarterback to ever reach 1,000 yards in Kansas history, has thrown for 1,227 yards while finding the end zone 7 times. Kansas boasts a strong run game with Khalil Herbert who is coming off a 291-yard game against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Herbert has totaled 438 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns this season. Kansas’ defense has given up 39.8 points per game while allowing 482 yards per game.
Prediction
Texas Tech wins their 11th straight game against Kansas.
Texas Tech 42, Kansas 32.
Players to watch
Texas Tech
Nic Shimonek, QB- (121-171, 1578 YDS, 12 TD, 2 INT)
Justin Stockton, RB- (42 CAR, 224 YDS, 3 TD)
Cameron Batson, WR- (25 REC, 248 YDS, 1 TD)
Kansas
Peyton Bender, QB- (102-178, 1227 YDS, 7 TD, 7 INT)
Khalil Herbert, RB- (58 CAR, 438 YDS, 4 TD)
Steven Sims, WR- (16 REC, 298 YDS, 3 TD)
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featured image courtesy of Rock Chalk Talk