Texas Tech vs UTEP: Bold Predictions

It’s time for Bold Predictions: Texas Tech and UTEP edition, and this week we have too very special guests joining us.

Kate is an avid wreckemred.com reader and David is a close friend of the head man himself, Kliff Kingsbury. Thanks for participating!

Over/under, Texas Tech commits 10 penalties?

Robert: Over. Discipline issues don’t get fixed in a week.

Weston: Under. The reason why I say this is its been drilled into their heads all week long (or at least it should be). If its an over, that’s a terrible sign.

Shelby: Under. I think this topic was (figuratively) beat into their brains this week. Or at least I hope so. So I think they’ll be a little more under control.

Austin: Under. I’m sure after last week they put a huge emphasis on not having dumb penalties.

Louis: Over. It’s been a problem for more than a year now and don’t see it changing on the road.

Yasmin: Over. I don’t think their penalty problem is something they fixed in a weeks time.

Kate: Under.

David: Under.

True or false, Tech gives up over 180 yards rushing?

Robert: True. You’d be a fool to not run the ball on Tech right now and it’s what UTEP does best.

Weston: True. UTEP’s Aaron Jones is talented and Texas Tech’s linebackers looked lost last week. I expect the run game to bow up a little, but the Miners like to run the ball a lot.

Shelby: True. I think it’ll be around 200. I think it’ll take a little bit of time for the defense to get their feet under them and stop the run.

Austin: True. But much like last week, if you can keep them to an average of around 3 yards per rush you are going to be in a good position to win the game.

Louis: True. UTEP is a much better running team than Central Arkansas and will focus on its ground game against Tech.

Yasmin: True. The defense is so young and inexperienced. Also, UTEP rushed over 300 yards last week. I think they’ll stick with their run game.

Kate: True.

David: True.

Who leads the team in receiving this week?

Robert: Even last week when Marquez led the team in everything, Webb still wanted to go to Grant to make big plays. Marquez will draw double teams this week and Grant will finally get his catches.

Weston: Jakeem Grant. I don’t think UTEP has the athletes on the defense to keep up to speed with Grant, and I think he wants to have a huge game after a slightly disappointing showing against UCA.

Shelby: Bradley Marquez. He showed last week that he hasn’t skipped a beat. It’ll continue.

Austin: After Bradley’s performance last week you expect UTEP to concentrate on him. I see Jakeem having a big week this week to make up for it.

Louis: Bradley Marquez. He’s got the best hands of the group and will continue to show his reliability this week.

Yasmin: Bradley Marquez, no question. He stepped up and made big plays happen last week and he will do the same this week.

Kate: Bradley Marquez.

David: Bradley Marquez.

Final score

Robert: 24-13 Tech. The late kickoff combined with the bad weather will make both offenses relatively inept and Tech will outlast an overmatched Miner team.

Weston: 55-24 Tech. I think UTEP gets their rushing yards, and scores three touchdowns but I think Tech comes out ready to play and is angry about last week. I could see this being somewhat close until the fourth quarter and the Red Raiders score a few more TD’s to make it a comfortable win.

Shelby: 42-17. It won’t be a massive runaway, but it’ll be a better game than last weekend. I think Tech will come out hungry. I think UTEP’s run game will be successful, but not as successful as some pissed off Red Raider.