The set-up: OOOps, the Red Raiders did it again last week. The Red Raiders put up 59 points against Oklahoma last Saturday, yet lost. Tech scored 55 points against Arizona State earlier this year and also lost. Throw in losses last season despite scoring 53 points in a loss against Oklahoma State and 52 points in a loss to TCU and the Red Raiders have now lost four times in less than two full seasons, despite scoring more than 50 points. Texas Tech (3-4, 1-3 Big 12) visits Forth Worth on Saturday to take on a TCU team which is 4-3, 2-2 in the Big 12.

Texas Tech: QB Patrick Mahomes II equaled the FBS all-time record for passing yards in his last outing, throwing for 734 yards in last Saturday's 66-59 loss to Oklahoma. He leads the nation with 3,313 passing yards and is tied for third with 26 TD passes. He's the key cog in producing a nation-best 640.3 YPG of total offense for a team which ranks second in scoring (50.3 PPG). Sophomore WR Jonathan Giles is tied for the national lead with 11 TD catches to go with 53 receptions for 917 yards. However, the defense has allowed an average of 52.7 PPG during a three-game losing streak and ranks 127th (out of 128 FBS schools) in both points allowed, 43.9 PPG, on 532.7 YPG.

TCU: Junior QB Kenny Hill got off to a strong start for the Horned Frogs but he's thrown a Big 12-worst nine INTs and a modest 13 TDs on the season. The TCU offense is averaging 35.9 PPG on 497.7 YPG but is coming off a 34-10 loss to West Va., in which the Horned Frogs set season lows for points and total offense (300 yards). There is clearly the potential for a huge bounce-back outing vs. the Red Raiders defense but....

The pick: Mahomes owns a huge edge over Hill in the QB ‘battle' and despite a horrendous defense, I'm taking the points with the Red Raiders. Make Texas Tech an 8* play.