Texas Tech @ Texas State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2011 ) Texas State 10, Texas Tech 50

The Texas Tech defense, one of the country’s worst a year ago, had something to prove in last week’s season-opener. The Red Raiders want to show that dominating performance wasn’t a fluke as they travel to Texas State on Saturday night. Tech used a balanced offense – getting two rushing touchdowns from Eric Stephens and a solid night from senior quarterback Seth Doege – and its best defensive performance in years blow past Northwestern State 44-6. They now get to help former FCS member Texas State open a renovated Bobcat Stadium a week after the Bobcats shocked Houston.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3.com. LINE: Texas Tech -17

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (1-0, 0-0 Big 12): Tech’s defense was ineffective at the end of last season, giving up 256 points during a five-game losing streak. The Red Raiders turned it around with a dominating performance last week when they held Northwestern State to 13 rushing yards, 84 total yards and 3-of-14 on third-down attempts. It was the fewest points allowed by Texas Tech since 2006 and the first time it held an opponent to less than 125 since a 2007 victory against Northwestern State. Senior safety Cody Davis, who has a team-high 37 starts, led the defense with nine tackles. The offense was balanced with 33 passing attempts and 46 runs – the most by Tech since 2010. Doege completed 23 of 34 passes to 10 receivers for 199 yards and a touchdown in three quarters.

ABOUT TEXAS STATE (1-0, 0-0 WAC): The Bobcats’ first game as a FBS member will be remembered as a road upset. Senior running back Marcus Curry scored all three Bobcats touchdowns in a 30-13 victory at Houston. He finished with 131 rushing yards and a pair of catches for 23 yards and a score as the Bobcats racked up 444 yards. The Bobcats allowed 326 yards, but limited Houston’s scoring chances by controlling the ball for 43 minutes and stopping the Cougars on third down (1 of 13).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texas Tech beat Texas State 50-10 last year in the teams’ first meeting despite trailing 10-9 at halftime.

2. This is Texas Tech’s first non-conference road game in the state of Texas since losing to Houston in 2009.

3. The Bobcats had possession for 36 minutes in last year’s loss to Tech.

PREDICTION: Texas Tech 38, Texas State 10.