New Mexico @ Texas Tech preview

New Mexico at Texas Tech

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2011 ) Texas Tech 59, New Mexico 13

Even though the quality of its opponents can be questioned, Texas Tech has been impressive in routing Northwestern State and Texas State to open the season. While the offense has amassed 102 points, the Red Raiders might be more pleased with the play of the defense that has allowed 16 points and an average of 177 total yards. New Mexico probably belongs in the same conversation as its first two opponents considering its recent struggles, but the Lobos will have their shot at changing that perception when they travel to Lubbock on Saturday. After opening the season with a 66-21 victory against Southern, New Mexico found itself on the wrong end of a 45-0 setback at Texas last week.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox College Sports. LINE: Texas Tech -33.5

ABOUT NEW MEXICO (1-1): Despite suffering their fourth shutout loss in their last eight games, the Lobos rushed for 206 yards against a Texas defense considered among the best in the Big 12. As new coach Bob Davie attempts to rebuild this team after three consecutive 1-11 campaigns, it is the blueprint New Mexico needs to stick with in order to keep pace with a Red Raiders' offense that ranks eighth in the country in scoring. Executing that plan this week may be difficult as starting quarterback B.R. Holbrook injured his ribs against Texas, and is unlikely to play.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (2-0): The Red Raiders enter this game prepared for the Lobos’ offensive attack after facing a pair of option offenses in Northwestern State and Texas State. The improvement on defense is notable since Texas Tech surrendered a school-record 471 points last season and finished 114th in total defense. Seth Doege is 51 yards shy of becoming the ninth Red Raiders quarterback to eclipse 5,000 yards passing and needs 168 yards to pass Sonny Cumbie for eighth-most passing yards in school history.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Red Raiders have increased their margin of victory in each of the last three seasons against the Lobos, winning by an average of 33 points.

2. Since 2003, only once in the five times these schools have met have they failed to combine for at least 69 points.

3. The Lobos have lost 23 straight games away from home and not won a road game outside of New Mexico since 2007.

PREDICTION: Texas Tech 48, New Mexico 13