Iowa State vs. Texas Tech Prediction, Game Preview

It’s a fight for survival as the loser is in big, big trouble in the Big 12 race. Iowa State (2-2) might be unbeaten in conference play, but it’s just one win and it’s over Kansas. Texas Tech (3-2) is 0-2 and needs this win in the worst way. Check out the Iowa State vs. Texas Tech prediction and game preview.

Iowa State vs. Texas Tech Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
Game Time: 3:30 pm
Venue: Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX
Network: FOX Sports Network

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Why You Need To Care

Iowa State might be better than it seems. The 31-17 loss to Iowa now looks far better than it did at the time, and the overtime loss to Toledo was hardly anything to get into a twist over. With TCU and Baylor up next, the Cyclones are in huge trouble if they can’t get out of Lubbock with a win, but with a good passing game and enough of a defense to get by – compared to the last few years – the team might be in place to make it a battle.

Texas Tech has put up big numbers with the nation’s No. 1 passing attack, but it couldn’t handle Baylor last week and couldn’t hold on against TCU a few weeks ago. The Arkansas win has given the team a little bit of credibility in light of the two key losses, and now it’s time to get some wins with Kansas up next. However, with three of the next four games on the road, a loss to the Cyclones would be disastrous.

Why Iowa State Will Win

The passing game is in place to keep up. The running attack has started to step up with Mike Warren leading the way, but to beat Texas Tech you need to throw and throw some more, and Iowa State has the talent to do that. Sam Richardson has been terrific, hitting 64% of his passes with 233 yards or more in every game so far, and with two touchdown passes in three of the four. He knows Texas Tech, throwing for 304 yards and two scores in the loss last season, but this year’s team is better and more equipped for the firefight. However …

Why Texas Tech Will Win

The Red Raider passing game is cranking things up at a much higher level. Patrick Mahomes is on his game, and Tech’s offense is rolling with the passing attack throwing for over 300 yards in all five games, over 400 in two of those, and for 530 yards last week in the loss to Baylor. Iowa State’s secondary hasn’t faced anything remotely close to what it’s about to get hit with, and while the pass rush has worked so far, getting pressure on Mahomes is next to impossible – he’s getting the ball out of his hands too easily.

Player Who Matters

The passing game always gets the credit at Texas Tech, but veteran back DeAndre Washington is a key part to make the machine go. Last year he took off for a career-high 186 yards and a score in the win over the Cyclones, and tore them up for 88 yards two years ago and 50 as a freshman. With bigger lanes to run through, he’s ripping up big runs on a regular basis averaging over seven yards per crack with five scores – four against TCU.

What’s Going To Happen?

This might be the best Big 12 game of the week. Texas Tech will get the offense rolling, as usual, but Iowa State will stay around shot for shot. At home, the Red Raider attack will be just a wee bit sharper, but the Cyclones will put up some massive numbers.