FAN Preview: Texas Tech vs Texas A&M

Texas Tech vs. Texas A&M
Saturday, October 8th
Kickoff 6p at Jones AT&T Stadium
Television: FX with Gus Johnson and Charles Davis
Countdown to Kickoff with Steve Dale at 3p on 1340 The Fan
FAN Feedback with Robert Snyder at 9:30 on 1340 The Fan
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Emotions will run high in the final Big 12 Conference meeting between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Texas A&M Aggies.  Most of the focus has been placed on the Aggies second-half collapses over their last two games, but the Red Raiders are still having problems with slow starts on offense.

Here are some areas of the game to watch on Saturday:

Texas Tech's Defensive Front 6 vs. A&M's Running Backs
In both the Kansas and Nevada games, Tech's defensive line and linebackers were torched for a large amount of rushing yards; 312 against the Wolfpack and 239 against the Jayhawks. Texas A&M has two great running backs in Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray. Through 4 games Michael has 408 rushing yards with 5 touchdowns and Gray has 363 rushing yards with 6 rushing touchdowns. A&M can take control of the game with their potent rushing attack.

Texas Tech's Slow Starts in the First Half
Through 4 games, Tech is averaging 7.5 points of scoring in the first quarter and 19.5 points of scoring in the first half.  In what's become a trend during Tommy Tuberville's tenure at Tech, the Red Raiders have trouble scoring early during the game.  If Tech can't get the offense going in the first half, they could find themselves in a large deficit at halftime.

Texas Tech's Wide Receivers vs A&M Secondary
If the Tech receiving corp can make their catches in the first half, the Tech offense should be able to put some points on the board and avoid the slow starts which have plagued the Red Raiders.  If the A&M secondary can force some early incompletions and a 3-and-out or two, A&M will be able give their offense a chance to take control of the game.

The Wild Card: The Weather
Mother Nature is expected to make its presence felt over the weekend in the Panhandle and South Plains.  The latest estimates from the National Weather Service peg Lubbock County receiving 2"-4" of rain from Friday night through Sunday.  As was seen during the Tech-New Mexico game, if lightning is present anywhere near the stadium, the officials will halt the game.  If there is a downpour with no lightning, I think it favors A&M's running game.  Also, delays due to lightning probably favor A&M too, because it will take the Jones AT&T Stadium crowd out of the game.

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Robert Snyder's score prediction- Texas A&M 41 Texas Tech 27