#20 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Iowa State Cyclones – Game Preview
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has a big decision in front of him this week. That decision is on who to start at the quarterback position if freshman Baker Mayfield is unable to go for this Saturday's homecoming match-up. He twisted his knee in the win against the Kansas Jayhawks last Saturday. Early reports indicate that their was no structure damage done to the knee, or at least that was the news given to the media by coach Kingsbury in Monday's presser. With the win though, the Red Raiders moved to 5-0 on the year and 2-0 on Big 12 play. That brings us to Iowa State.
Head coach Paul Rhodes and the Cyclones are coming off a heartbreaking last minute loss to the Texas Longhorns on a controversial call that gave Mack Brown and the horns the 31-30 victory. The loss drops the Cyclones to 1-3 on the year and 0-1 in conference play, but after coach Rhodes powerful speech at the post game press conference last week, one should expect them to come out with plenty of energy and focus.
For the Red Raiders, if Mayfield can't go it will be up to either fellow freshman Davis Webb (Pictured Above) or Sophomore Michael Brewer. Now Brewer made his first appearance of the season last week but was limited to -6 yards rushing and zero pass attempts. All words from practice however is that he's been looking great and has been getting some reps with the first team. Webb on the other hand has showed much promise with the time he's been given to lead the huddle. He has also showed a tendency to be reckless that has visibly frustrated head coach Kingsbury. All this is for not though if Baker Mayfield can get cleared by the doctors and show it in practice this week.
Now last season Texas Tech was able to go up to Ames, Iowa on September 29, 2012 and get a win by a score of 24-13 thanks to some great defensive play. The game that probably sticks in most Tech fan's minds though is the 2011 loss to the Cyclones in Lubbock. Iowa State would run all over the Tommy Tubberville led Red Raiders on their way to a 41-7 blowout win.
For coach Kingsbury, he can become the first head coach in school history to win his first six games when the Red Raiders host Iowa State. Kliff and company will get that chance this Saturday as they have another early game time with kickoff is set for 11am and televised on FOX Sports 1.