Kansas State vs. Texas Tech: Game preview and score prediction for Big 12 showdown

The Kansas State football team will try to bounce back from a Big 12 loss against Oklahoma State when it takes on Texas Tech on Saturday inside AT&T Jones Stadium.

Here’s everything you need to know before kickoff ...

Kansas State at Texas Tech game details

Kickoff: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: AT&T Jones Stadium (Lubbock, Texas)

TV: FS1

Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KFH (1240 AM and 97.5 FM) in Wichita

The line: Texas Tech by 2 with an O/U of 56.5

Game prediction

This is shaping up to be a season-defining game for both teams.

Texas Tech has recovered from a 1-3 start and can re-enter the Big 12 championship race with a victory. Kansas State has lost two of its past three games, but those setbacks will mostly be forgotten if the Wildcats can pick up an important road win with home games against TCU and Houston on deck.

A loss will leave either team fighting for bowl eligibility.

So who wins this important game?

This is a hard one to predict, as the narrow betting line would suggest. Texas Tech is in better form than K-State and the Red Raiders will be playing at home in front of a large crowd. But Chris Klieman has never lost to Texas Tech and the Wildcats tend to play their best coming off a loss.

If they played this game seven times the series record would likely be 4-3. That’s how close this matchup feels.

Texas Tech has a small advantage on defense, as the Red Raiders are only allowing 5 yards per play this season. That number ranks second in the Big 12. They also seem to have found something offensively of late with backup quarterback Behren Morton taking over for an injured Tyler Shough.

Running back Tahj Brooks is also coming off four straight games with at least 100 yards rushing. He ran for 170 yards and a touchdown against Baylor.

But he may have trouble putting up similar numbers against a K-State defense that is only allowing 3 yards per rush attempt.

The Wildcats have been the better team on offense over the course of the season, so long as you don’t factor in turnovers.

That may be the key to this game. If DJ Giddens and Treshaun Ward can move the chains with their legs and Will Howard can play a turnover free game at quarterback, then the Wildcats will probably win. But that has been easier said than done this season. Howard has thrown seven interceptions, including at least one in every game.

Fourth-down efficiency will also be important, as Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire hates to punt.

Klieman has also been ultra aggressive this season. That makes me think there will be a lot of points scored on Saturday night.

That type of game provides a small advantage to the home team that is playing well at the moment.

Texas Tech 35, K-State 31

Last week’s prediction: K-State 38, Oklahoma State 23 (Actual: Oklahoma State 29, K-State 21)

Season record: 3-2.

Season record against the spread: 2-3.

Season record O/U: 3-2.