Iowa State @ Texas Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 22, 2014 ) Texas Tech 34, Iowa State 31

Normally, facing Iowa State wouldn’t be cause for celebration. But after the last two opponents Texas Tech faced, it should be more than happy to host the Cyclones on Saturday.

The Red Raiders opened their Big 12 conference schedule with losses to top-five ranked opponents TCU and Baylor, allowing a total of 118 points in the two contests. The Cyclones had a smoother start to their conference games with an easy victory over Kansas, which helped wash away the pain of a pair of non-conference setbacks. Iowa State could build on that victory if its defense finds a way to put pressure on Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has thrown 14 touchdown passes and rushed for six more in five games. Texas Tech’s defense is struggling against the run, allowing an average of 277.4 yards - 123rd among the 127 FBS teams in the nation - a weakness the Cyclones will need to exploit.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FSN. LINE: Texas Tech -11.5

ABOUT IOWA STATE (2-2, 1-0 Big 12): Defensive end Dale Pierson is second in the conference with six sacks - 2.5 shy of Iowa State’s single-season sack record. Freshman running back Mike Warren has 301 rushing yards over the last two contests and should see plenty of touches against Texas Tech’s weak run defense. Quarterback Sam B. Richardson threw two interceptions against Kansas last week and will need to be careful with the ball Saturday.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (3-2, 0-2): Mahomes leads the conference in pass attempts with 211 and has been sacked once. Running back DeAndre Washington was limited to 39 rushing yards last week against Baylor but leads the team with 514 rushing yards. Nine different Red Raiders receivers have caught at least one touchdown pass.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texas Tech is 10-3 against Iowa State, including wins in each of the last three seasons.

2. Iowa State follows Saturday’s contest with games against No. 2 TCU and No. 4 Baylor.

3. The Red Raiders have the worst defense in the conference, allowing the most points (41.4) and total yards (581) per game.

PREDICTION: Texas Tech 45, Iowa State 35