Texas Tech @ SMU preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 5, 2010 ) Southern Methodist 27, Texas Tech 35

Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury won’t be alone in making his debut in a high-profile role Friday at SMU. The Red Raiders are expected to rotate freshmen quarterbacks Davis Webb and Baker Mayfield as projected starter Michael Brewer is battling a back injury. Kingsbury, who guided Johnny Manziel to the Heisman Trophy as the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M last season, turned 34 earlier this month but remains the second-youngest active head coach in college football.

SMU will have an experienced quarterback operating its pass-heavy offense. Garrett Gilbert spent parts of three seasons at Texas - starting every game in 2010 - and is pegged to lead the Mustangs for a second straight year. Cutting down on turnovers will be key as Gilbert helps transition SMU into the newly formed American Athletic Conference. He committed five turnovers after taking over for injured starter Colt McCoy in the loss to Alabama in the 2010 BCS title game, was intercepted 17 times as the starter the following year and picked off 15 times last season.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Texas Tech -6.5.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (2012: 8-5, 4-5 Big 12): Whichever quarterback is under center for the Red Raiders, he'll have a surplus of quality receivers from which to choose. Eric Ward led Texas Tech with 82 catches for 1,053 yards last season, and Jakeem Grant gives the offense added speed downfield. The Red Raiders also feature one of the nation’s emerging elite tight ends in 6-5, 260-pound junior Jace Amaro, though he won’t play in the first half against SMU after getting ejected for throwing a punch at a Minnesota player at the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas last season.

ABOUT SMU (2012: 7-6, 5-3 Conference USA): The Mustangs are considerably thin on the defensive line, opening the door for true freshman Zelt Minor to earn playing time as an edge rusher. Coach June Jones called Minor the school’s best recruit ever. The Mustangs will have a strong voice in the huddle in Randall Joyner, a senior linebacker who led the team in tackles (89) last season and tied for the team lead in interceptions (three). The defense has another positive to build on - the unit finished third in the nation in takeaways (37) in 2012.

EXTRA POINTS

1. SMU RB Traylon Shead and Texas Tech RB Tyler Middleton were the leading rushers in the Southwest Junior College Conference last season while teammates at Navarro College in Corsicana, Tex.

2. Kenneth Acker, a two-year starter at CB for the Mustangs, also is expected to play a substantial role at WR this season.

3. SMU’s nonconference schedule also includes back-to-back games at No. 6 Texas A&M and No. 20 TCU.

PREDICTION: Texas Tech 45, SMU 31