GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Texas Tech QB vs. Kansas DBs. The Jayhawks rank eighth in the Big 12 in conference play as they’re allowing 300 yards per game. Now Kansas travels to play the Red Raiders, who rank third in the Big 12 in passing yards per game and second nationally when factoring in nonconference games. Texas Tech’s ability to exploit the Jayhawks might depend on whether or not Alan Bowman has fully recovered from his lung injury, which he suffered three weeks ago.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Dakota Allen led Texas Tech with 8 tackles in the win over TCU and leads the Red Raiders with 37 tackles this season. Although his tackle numbers are down a little bit from last season, that might be attributed to Texas Tech’s overall team defense. Allen is really starving for a takeaway as he doesn’t have an INT or a fumble recovery yet in this campaign.
ROSTER REPORT:
–QB Alan Bowman left the West Virginia game late in the first half when he was hit by two Mountaineers in the upper body. Bowman was diagnosed with a partially collapsed lung and admitted to a Lubbock hospital, where he was observed until the following Wednesday. He warmed up, but then dressed in street clothes for the TCU game. He will be a game-time decision this week.
–C Paul Stawarz was in the concussion protocol and missed the TCU game. Coach Kliff Kingsbury said the team will find out later in the week if Stawarz can return to practice in time to play against Kansas.
–QB McLane Carter suffered a high ankle sprain in the first quarter versus Ole Miss and didn’t play in the next four games. He entered the game against TCU, but couldn’t push off the injured ankle. If Bowman can return from injury quicker, it could keep Carter on the sideline for a while.
–WR T.J. Vasher has a lower body injury that kept him out of the West Virginia game and limited him to one series against TCU. Coach Kliff Kingsbury said Sunday that medical tests on his hip, upper leg area were negative, so it’s a matter of Vasher being comfortable enough to play.
–LT Travis Bruffy left the TCU game with an apparent lower leg injury. Coach Kliff Kingsbury said he has been getting work in practice this week, but will be a game-time decision.