Kansas vs. Texas Tech: Preview and Prediction
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming matchup between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
GAME INFO
Saturday, November 12, 2022; 6:00 p.m. CT; Jones AT&T Stadium; Lubbock, Texas
TV: ESPN+ (Courtney Lyle, Ryan Leaf, Tori Petry)
Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network (Brian Hanni, David Lawrence, Brandon McAnderson); Texas Tech Sports Network (Brian Jensen, John Harris, Chris Level)
Records: Kansas (6-3, 3-3); Texas Tech (4-5, 2-4)
Rankings: Both teams unranked
Last Week: Kansas 37, Oklahoma State 16; TCU 34, Texas Tech 24
Series History: Texas Tech leads 21-2
Last Meeting: Texas Tech 41, Kansas 14
Favorite: Texas Tech (-4)
Fun Fact: Since the Big 12 was formed, Texas Tech and Kansas have played a total of 19 times, and Texas Tech owns the series, winning 17 of those contests. KU’s only wins are in 2001 (34-31 F/OT) and 2019 (37-34).
KEY PLAYERS
Kansas Jayhawks
Who’s at QB?
Last week against Oklahoma State, it was possible that Jalon Daniels would get the start, but it turned out to be Jason Bean. And Bean had his best game of his Kansas career going 18/23 for 203 yards, with two touchdowns, along with four carries for 93 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown run. Whoever gets the start will be a difference maker in this game, but if KU wants to ride the hot hand, Bean would be the go-to guy.
DL Lonnie Phelps
Phelps is Top 10 in the Big 12 in sacks (6) and tackles for loss (8.5) on the season and now he gets to go up against one of the weakest offensive lines in the country. Phelps didn’t record a sack or TFL last week against OSU, but with offensive lines so focused on him, it opens up opportunities for his teammates, who compiled two sacks and six tackles for loss in the game.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Who’s at QB?
I hate to be repetitive, but we also have uncertainty at quarterback for the Red Raiders. We found out Monday that Behren Morton would be out for this game against KU. So that means it’s either Donovan Smith or Tyler Shough. Smith is more of a runner, while Shough is more of a pocket passer. Both have had their moments, however the freshman Morton beat them both out during the season. I’d lean to Smith getting the start and I’ll explain more on why below.
OLB Tyree Wilson
Wilson is going to have his hands full trying to stop whoever KU has at quarterback, along with Devin Neal who had over 300 yards rushing and receiving against Oklahoma State. Wilson leads the Big 12 by a wide margin with 14.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 more than any other player in the Big 12. He’s also second in the league in sacks with 7.0.
KEY STORYLINES
Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas needs to take advantage of Texas Tech’s issues on the offensive line and go to town. Kansas is second in the Big 12 in sacks with 21 in nine games. Meantime, Texas Tech has given up 34 sacks in nine games, which is 15 more than any other team has allowed this season. If Kansas can go ahead and take advantage of a struggling offensive line and a back up quarterback, the Jayhawks can roll to a comfortable road win.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech is going to have to win this one through the air. Tech is averaging a Big 12-best 318 passing yards per game, while Kansas’ pass defense is ranked last in the league, giving up over 290 passing yards per game. Xavier White, Jerand Bradley, and Myles Price need to lead the way and have a balanced passing attack that throws the Kansas secondary off its game all night long.
PREDICTION: KANSAS 34, TEXAS TECH 24
The Kansas Jayhawks got over the hump last week coming out of a bye and reached bowl eligibility for the first time in 14 years. That monkey is off their back and they can play freely. KU also looked well rested coming off the bye week, which they desperately needed. These two teams feel like they’re trending in different directions, as Tech has lost four of its last five games, all four by at least nine points, since they beat Texas in late September. Kansas continues to exceed expectations and that will continue with a win on Saturday in Lubbock.
