Texas Tech @ TCU

Scouting Report for #17 Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-1) vs. #23 TCU Horned Frogs (5-1)
October 20, 2012- Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX

Texas Tech: After falling out of the top 25 in the coaches poll (ranked 24), the Red Raiders pulled off an upset win at the expense of the West Virginia Mountaineers. West Virginia was ranked 5th in the AP poll until they lost 49-14. Not as big or dramatic as the last upset in Lubbock (beat #1 Texas 37-33 in 2008), but it's still a convincing win.

Seth Doege (32-42) threw for 499 yards with and 6 TD's. Doege's only blemish was a pass that was juggled by Alex Torres (46 yards on catches)which led to an interception. Jace Amaro (5 catches 156 YDS) had a touchdown. Darrin Moore (9 catches 92 YDS) was responsible for Doege's 3 TDs. SaDale Foster (10 carries, 82 YDS)had the only rushing touchdown in the second quarter. The secondary did a fantastic job. The Mountaineers, who like to go deep early and often, had a hard time against the Tech zone. Though they limited Heisman candidate to 52.7% completion rate (81.4% in the previous games)and one touchdown pass (4.8 TD per game), it was enough to get a win.

TCU: "When one door closes, another one opens" has been the unofficial theme for the 2012 TCU Horned Frogs. After the ending of their 12 game winning streak, the Frogs started a new one with a 49-21 victory over Baylor. Not only that, TCU avenged a 50-48 loss in the opening week of last season at Waco.

Trevone Boykin (22-30)was more prepared this week. He threw the ball 261 yards and 4 TDs. Boykin rushed for a touchdown in the 4th quarter. Josh Boyce (8 catches 85 YDS) had 2 touchdowns (1 receving,1 rushing) and Cam White added 2 TDs (both receiving). The defense looked a little shaky at first. On the second play of the game, Nick Florence found Terrance Williams for a 74 YD TD reception. But on the Bears second play of the next possesion Jason Verrett picked off Florence (led to the Horned Frogs first points). Sam Carter, Chris Hackett (also had fumble recovery in 2nd quarter) and Kevin White also picked off Florence. Devonte Fields forced a fumble in the second quarter and recovered a fumbled snap by Bryce Petty in the 4th to help put the Baylor out of their misery.

What to watch for: The Horned Frog linebackers and secondary will need to do what they did against Baylor last week. If the D-Line can get some penetration, then Doege could have a similar game like Florence did.

Conclusion: The last time Texas Tech had a major upset was last season at then number 1 Oklahoma (41-38). They were 5-2 before they lost the remaining 5 games. The Red Raider defense has improved since then and could provide trouble for Boykin in the pass game. The one factor that Tech may be unable to account for is that Boykin can run the ball at any given time.

The Frogs have had more than their fair share of adversity this season. And every time, they have risen to the challenge. Both TCU coach Gary Patterson and Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville should have their respective teams prepared. If both teams play like they did last week, then this game should come down to the final possession.

Prediction: TCU by 3.

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