PLAYERS TO WATCH
–WR Antoine Wesley was snubbed when the finalists were announced for the Biletnikoff Award despite being second in the nation in receiving yards with 1,375. He had a down game against Kansas State, along with the rest of the Red Raiders, catching six passes for 28 yards. But he has a chance to bounce back against Baylor.
–RB Da’Leon Ward has been the bell cow in the backfield in the last several games, although Texas Tech’s running game has continued to struggle. The Red Raiders need Ward to have a big game both as a rusher and receiver on Saturday.
–LB Riko Jeffers has been vital for the Texas Tech defense this season, especially with Dakota Allen injured lately. Jeffers posted 10 solo and 11 total tackles against Kansas State
–DT Broderick Washington was second on the Red Raiders with seven tackles, including two for losses, against Kansas State. He was a big reason Texas Tech stood up to the Wildcats rushing attack and the defense gave the offense at least a chance to rally in the fourth quarter.
SERIES HISTORY: Texas Tech leads Baylor 38-37-1. The Red Raiders have won the last two games in the streaky series. Prior to that Baylor won five straight to answer Texas Tech’s surge of 15-consecutive victories from 1996 to 2010.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I dealt with a lot of that last year and this year. The focus has just been on our team and our program and these seniors. So that’s been my focus this week is ‘How can we extend this for these seniors?’” — Kliff Kingsbury on rumors circulating that he won’t be back as Texas Tech’s coach.