TCU preview: Inside the matchup vs. Texas Tech

TCU vs. distractions

It hasn’t been a smooth week for the Horned Frogs and it has nothing to do with practice. Two players — defensive end Mike Tuaua and wide receiver Andres Petties-Wilson — were arrested on Monday, bringing an unwanted spotlight on the Frogs as they try and prepare for their first Big 12 game. Distractions don’t sit well with coach Gary Patterson, who said Tuesday there’s more to the story than what’s been reported. The only bright spot for the Frogs is they’ve had time to deal with the issue internally already, since the players were suspended following the Sept. 4 incident.

Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes vs. the TCU defense

The Horned Frogs struggled to slow SMU quarterback Matt Davis last week, as he accounted for 392 yards in the Frogs’ 56-37 win. Like Davis, Mahomes can do things with both his arm and legs. He’s already thrown for 1,029 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 129 yards. Mahomes has a chance to put up big numbers against a TCU team that was beat up before the SMU game and will be without defensive back Ranthony Texada, who is out for the season after suffering a knee injury in the SMU game. The Frogs need to be as healthy as possible to slow down an improved Tech team.

TCU vs. 82-27

Immediately after last year’s game TCU coach Gary Patterson tried to downplay the record-setting score the Frogs put up against Texas Tech. Both of the Frogs’ fourth-quarter scores came on runs, but there’s no escaping the fact that teams don’t forget when they’re embarrassed. That’s the kind of motivation that doesn’t need coaching. Texas Tech has won the last four meetings against the Frogs in Lubbock, and none of those came after TCU hung 82 on it the year before.

Did you know?

Three of the coaches in the game have coached at the opposing school. TCU co-offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie was an assistant coach at Tech from 2010-13 and played quarterback there as well. TCU safeties coach Chad Glasgow was the Tech defensive coordinator in 2011. Texas Tech safeties coach Trey Haverty was the TCU safeties coach in 2011 and the wide receivers coach in 2012.

In three games this year the Texas Tech offensive line hasn’t allowed sack this season. Only five teams in the country haven’t allowed a sack.

Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown for more passing yards in his first seven games than Graham Harrell or Kliff Kingsbury did. They are the top two passers in the program’s history.

Streaking

Texas Tech has scored at least 30 points in six consecutive games.

TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 18 straight games, the longest streak in the nation.

Tarrant ties

Six players on the Red Raiders roster are from Tarrant County schools, including three starters in offensive linemen Alfredo Morales (Arlington Sam Houston) and Tony Morales (Arlington Sam Houston) and linebacker Micah Awe (Mansfield Summit).

This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 12:29 PM with the headline "TCU preview: Inside the matchup vs. Texas Tech."