North Texas Mean Green vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 14th 2024

Preview and Prediction

Texas Tech will attempt to bounce back against a familiar opponent on Saturday as North Texas makes its first trip to Lubbock since 2000.

The Red Raiders (1-1) suffered a 37-16 defeat on the road against Washington State last week, with turnovers (four) and the defense's inability to stop the Cougars' rushing attack (301 yards) being the main concerns.

This loss, following a narrow 52-51 overtime victory against Abilene Christian on August 31, has caused some unrest among the Texas Tech fan base, which has not gone unnoticed by third-year head coach Joey McGuire.

The Red Raiders' struggles on defense have been particularly concerning, as they currently rank last or second-to-last in every major category in the Big 12, allowing an average of 515.5 total yards and 44 points per game.

"One of our biggest priorities is improving our defense," McGuire stated. "It all starts with that side of the ball."

This will be no easy task for Texas Tech as they prepare to face a Mean Green offense led by former Red Raiders offensive coordinator Eric Morris, who is now in his second season as North Texas' head coach.

The Mean Green (2-0) have had a strong start to their season, racking up 1,054 total yards in wins against South Alabama and Stephen F. Austin. Quarterback Chandler Morris (no relation to his coach) has been a key factor, throwing for 737 yards and seven touchdowns.

With both teams boasting potent offenses, a high-scoring game could be in the cards. Texas Tech has been particularly effective through the air, with quarterback Behren Morton leading the Big 12 with an average of 350.5 passing yards per game and receiver Josh Kelly leading the nation with 19 receptions.

While the Mean Green have given up an average of 415 yards per game, their defense has shown improvement with a unit that features eight new starters.

Last week, North Texas made significant strides on defense against Stephen F. Austin, holding them to just 3-of-17 on third down conversions.

"Our chemistry on defense has come together surprisingly well," said Mean Green linebacker Jordan Brown. "We support and motivate each other."

PREDICTION

North Texas Mean Green

Texas Tech Red Raiders

North Texas Mean Green vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Recap SEP 14TH 2024

Texas Tech took a week's worth of frustration out on in-state foe North Texas on Saturday in a 66-21 home romp that was decided by halftime.

Stung by a lopsided loss at Washington State the week before, the Red Raiders clicked on all fronts on the way to a 598-yard offensive explosion.

Ahead 17-7 after an efficient first quarter, Texas Tech (2-1) scored 35 points in the second quarter to match a school record for points in a quarter. That led to a 52-point half, which equaled a school record.

The Mean Green (2-1) had no answer for the Red Raiders' offense, which generated 415 total yards in the opening 30 minutes, paced by Behren Morton's 15-of-19 passing for 273 yards and four touchdown passes. Morton also ran for a 10-yard score. Tahj Boyd, back in action after missing last week's loss, gashed UNT for 109 yards on the ground. Neither played a down in the second half as the Red Raiders unloaded the bench.

Not to be outdone, Texas Tech's beleaguered defense also delivered. After allowing 89 points in the first two games, the Red Raiders frustrated Chandler Morris into three first-half interceptions, one that Bralyn Lux rambled 44 yards the other way with for the second of three Texas Tech touchdowns in a 52-second span of the second frame.

Morris and the high-octane Eagles' offense never got into a rhythm, with the quarterback throwing for a season-low 162 yards on 15-of-27 passing. Morris threw two touchdowns to give him nine on the season.

UNT was in position to whittle the lead to 17-10 early in the second but Kali Nguma's 26-yard field goal went wide right. Two plays later, Morton zipped a pass to Coy Eakin on a sideline fly and he turned into a career-long 70-yard touchdown reception to pop the cork on the record-setting scoring onslaught.

Texas Tech got rolling quickly with a touchdown on their opening series when Morton rifled a picture-perfect 10-yard touchdown pass to Josh Kelly on a post pattern, finishing off a 56-yard drive that got a boost when the Eagles were flagged for fair catch interference.