Good Cop:

Many analysts thought Texas Tech would have another down year but so far, the Red Raiders have had a solid start to the season, earning a 3-3 record.

Texas Tech is known for having a solid offense and that’s no different this year — its offense is third in the Big 12 in yards per game with 494.4. Iowa State’s offense is two spots behind Texas Tech in yards per game with 468.0. 

Both teams are better through the air than they are running the football. The Red Raiders are second in the conference passing yards with 326.3 per game and the Cyclones are third in the conference in passing yards per game with 311.2. 

The Red Raiders average 168.1 rushing yards per game which is sixth in the conference and the Cyclones average 156.8 rushing yards per game which in ninth. 

Along with being good offensively, Texas Tech is good on defense — as its defense is first in sacks with 15 and in interceptions with nine. However, the Red Raiders do give up 443.9 — third worst in the conference. This is very concerning for Texas Tech, given the fact that Iowa State sophomore quarterback Brock Purdy is second in the conference in total offense with 1995 yards. 

Another troubling fact for the Red Raiders are dead last in third down conversions, converting 37.3 of their third down plays.

Both teams will look evenly matched throughout the game but the Cyclones will score a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

Prediction: Iowa State 35, Texas Tech 24.

Bad Cop

With a record of 3-3, Iowa State’s game against Texas Tech on Saturday would normally be chalked down as an easy win, but the Cyclones aren’t even close to the team picked to finish third in the Big 12 before the season started.

With losses to Iowa and Baylor already this season, Iowa State has had moments where the offense just can’t get going in both of those losses.

Blame can’t be put onto quarterback Brock Purdy, who leads the conference in passing yards per game, but the offensive line and running game have been two glaring weaknesses for the Cyclone offense.

Running back Breece Hall, a freshman, had a career game against West Virginia last Saturday, but expecting the youngster to continue his consistency and dominance game-to-game is unrealistic.

Iowa State’s offense may eventually come together to be the dominate and experienced unit they were expected to be entering 2019, but the Cyclones shouldn’t have many issues with Tech’s seventh ranked scoring defense.

Ranking sixth, Texas Tech’s offense could give the Cyclones troubles.

The Red Raiders don’t have a single standout player with often injured starting quarterback Alan Bowman out, but Jett Duffey has been able to put togther solid numbers in Bowman’s absense.

Duffey has completed over 64% of his passes for five touchdowns and two interceptions while averaging 227 passing yards a game.

Tech only lost to Baylor 33-30, so it is entirely realistic the Red Raiders are able to muster enough offense to knock down the Cyclones narrowly, but it won’t happen.

Prediction: Iowa State 27, Texas Tech 13