Colorado Buffaloes vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 9th 2024

Preview and Prediction

The upcoming matchup between No. 20 Colorado and home team Texas Tech holds the promise of a spot in the Big 12 Championship. Both teams have their sights set on this goal as they prepare to face off in Lubbock, Texas on Saturday afternoon.

Currently, Colorado (6-2, 4-1 Big 12) is tied for second place with Iowa State, while Texas Tech (6-3, 4-2) is tied with four other teams with two losses in the Big 12 conference.

Last week, Texas Tech pulled off a major upset as they traveled to Ames, Iowa as 13-point underdogs and handed Iowa State their first loss of the season. In a thrilling 23-22 victory, quarterback Behren Morton led a 71-yard scoring drive that ended with a touchdown run by Tahj Brooks with only 20 seconds remaining.

Morton has been a key player for Texas Tech this season, throwing for 2,300 yards and 19 touchdowns with a quarterback rating of 136.1. Brooks has also been a standout with 1,047 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Wide receiver Josh Kelly has also been a major contributor with 68 catches for 736 yards and five touchdowns.

Under the leadership of coach Joey McGuire, Texas Tech has a strong record in the months of November and December, boasting a 9-2 record during this time.

Colorado had a bye week last week, but in their previous game on Oct. 16, they defeated Cincinnati 34-23. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw for 323 yards and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Travis Hunter had nine catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

Shedeur Sanders has been a standout for Colorado this season, throwing for 2,591 yards and completing over 73 percent of his passes. He has 21 passing touchdowns, six interceptions, and has been sacked 25 times. His patience in the pocket has allowed playmakers like Hunter, LaJohntay Wester, and Jimmy Horn Jr. to excel. Hunter has 60 catches for 757 yards and eight touchdowns, Wester has 501 yards and seven touchdowns, and Horn Jr. has 434 yards. Overall, Colorado has five players who average double-digit yards per catch.

According to McGuire, Colorado's Hunter and Sanders are two of the best college football players in the country. He praises Hunter as a generational player and believes Sanders is the best quarterback in college football, stating that if he were an NFL GM, Sanders would be his first pick in the draft.

Colorado has been dominant on the road in their last two games, winning by 27 points each time. Coach Deion Sanders attributes this success to his team's focus and determination, stating that every game is like a playoff game and they approach each one with passion, purpose, consistency, focus, and a "dog-like" attitude.

PREDICTION

Colorado Buffaloes

Texas Tech Red Raiders