Big 12 Week 9

[lynchmob42]

I love checking the computer models, and statistics.

Texas Tech is 9th in Sagarin (10th in predictor), and 6th (Yes, 6th!) in Massey.

Tech is 6th in teamrankings.com predictive rankings.

[architechguy]

I'm pumped for this game! I love coming in as the nobody believes in us underdog. We have absolutely nothing to lose in this game and everything to gain! Meanwhile, Kansas State has practically nothing to gain. They can't move up anymore in the standings without someone else losing, and they can't win this game by enough points to avoid criticism. If they blow us out, they'll just say it's the same old Texas Tech defense, win a close game and they'll say they barely beat an overrated team. I haven't been this excited, yet calm and relaxed for a Tech game since 2008. Even though games were tense and nerve racking, this game is completely pressure free.

[lynchmob42]

Are you coming to Manhattan?

[architechguy]

I wish! Enjoyed my trip there in 2008, I'd gladly go back again.

I had to take the year off for my annual road trip weekend. I'm getting married in a few months, so my expendable income is spoken for!

[cynicalpuppet]

As is the remainder of your life! Congrats archi!

[lynchmob42]

[longhorn99]

Oct 22, 2012 16:22:49 GMT -5 architechguy said:

I wish! Enjoyed my trip there in 2008, I'd gladly go back again.

I had to take the year off for my annual road trip weekend. I'm getting married in a few months, so my expendable income is spoken for!

Whoa, don't do it Just kidding, congrats man.

[tetonhawk]

Oct 22, 2012 16:22:49 GMT -5 architechguy said:

I wish! Enjoyed my trip there in 2008, I'd gladly go back again.

I had to take the year off for my annual road trip weekend. I'm getting married in a few months, so my expendable income is spoken for!

Dont ever let her handle be known now after putting a frown after that line.

[architechguy]

We've talked about it all week, and it's getting closer and closer. I just have a hunch that this Tech-KSU game is gonna be a classic. Both teams are much, much better than last year, and it was a competitive game that went down to the wire. Tech held KSU to less than 100 yards of offense at halftime, but only led by a few points because of special teams miscues. Then, the game turned in the 4th quarter on three straight INTs off of Doege. Tech fans look at that game as one that really got away last year. The whole theme of Tech's season so far has been making amends for last year. We avenged the brutal loss to Iowa State, we avoided the let down game that we couldn't avoid last year, we've been disciplined in run defense.

I don't know if Tech can win this game, but we're going to throw everything and the kitchen sink at KSU. Tuberville has a reputation in big games, he has a winning record against top 5 teams. This game doesn't feel like those matchups against Texas or OU when they're at their peak, I don't think we're outmanned in talent here. KSU is more disciplined and mentally strong IMO, but I think both teams can make plays. Lastly, I think the X factor is the pressure, KSU is the toast of the cfb world right now and Tech is the fascinating little curiosity. I think Tech will be the more relaxed and clear headed team. We'll see if it matters or not.

[lynchmob42]

This is only the second game of the season where K-State fans will be really excited to be at the stadium. It's been 7 weeks since Miami was in town! This crowd should be amazing!

I think Tech can hang. They play good defense. I think TTU's stats are a little overblown by the weak non-conference schedule, but the conference stats are still good.

It'll be a good game throughout, unless the big plays break K-State's way. Returns and turnovers in particular.

[architechguy]

That's my biggest concern in the game, KSU can bust a pick 6 on you out of nowhere, and special teams have always been a big part of Snyder's tenure. Those two things are really what won the game for you guys last year, it was 28-20 at halftime and 14 of the points came from a pick 6 and kickoff return.

Tech's defensive stats are definitely overblown, the total yards allowed have gone up in every conference game to the next. Though, overtime games really skew the stats. Regardless, Tech's D is definitely a quality defense. There's more depth and health, so we're able to rotate more players than we were last year, and the talent level has gone up to begin with. I'd say the key is to make Klein beat you in the air, keep the down and distance long enough so that he can't use the QB draw as the battering ram.

Defensively, KSU has given up yards this season, Landry Jones moved the ball on them but the turnovers were a killer. Doege has been prone to throw INT's this season, and we've actually won our games so far despite losing the turnover battle. Lose that battle in this game and we will NOT make it out with a win.

[lynchmob42]

Tech won the turnover battle 3-0 last week, or would have lost.

[architechguy]

We're negative on turnover ratio for the year, which is odd since one would expect a team that is surprisingly in contention to be creating more mistakes than they make. That's the odd thing about the defense so far, they've been productive without forcing turnovers. I'm not sure what to make of that fact, I guess one could spin that into both a good and bad thing. TCU might have been the first game all year we finished ahead in that stat. Even in some routes this year, we've finished in the red. Strangely, we beat WV by 35 points without forcing a single turnover and giving up two of our own (but 6 stops of on 4th down helps matters a little).

[lynchmob42]

WVU turned the ball over themselves with their stupid 4th down attempts.

[lynchmob42]

ESPN's SportsNation has a map showing state-by-state choices in a KSU v. TTU poll.
It's amuzing to see which ONE state shows up in the TTU column.

espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=sportsnation&pollId=3270567