Inside the matchup between the Red Raiders and Cougars in a rare Friday-night conference opener.
LUBBOCK - Texas Tech begins it's first Big 12 championship defense against Houston on Friday night in Lubbock.
The No. 13-ranked Red Raiders enter 2-0 after double-digit wins that still leave the fan base wanting more, especially in regard to the offensive aggressiveness.
The Cougars, ranked No. 22 and also undefeated through two weeks, are coming off a throttling of Southern University. Things are rolling at just the right time for a program that is optimistic heading into a matchup between two conference title contenders.
Texas Tech is coming off a 35-24 win at Oregon State in the program's first-ever trip to Corvallis. Quarterback Will Hammond threw for a conservative 189 yards on 20 of 29 completions, including a clutch 32-yard touchdown pass to Coy Eakin that took the lead in the fourth quarter.
Houston beat Southern 77-6 with 591 yards of total offense, three passing touchdowns by Conner Weigman and six different Cougars finding the end zone on the ground.
NOTABLE QUOTABLE: Texas Tech wide receiver Kenny Johnson thinks his squad still has a lot to work with, which could begin to satisfy Red Raider Nation's craving for creative play-calling downfield.
"I think we've done a great job with that in these last two games. Really just keeping our playbook really simple and doing what we need to do," Johnson said. "I don't think we've showed even half of our playbook."
'LET'S RIDE' The Red Raiders will wear the Patrick Mahomes-designed "Let's Ride" uniforms. On the black-and-white design, Tech has also introduced a State Farm partnership.
"It's pretty special seeing Texas Tech, adidas, and State Farm all come together with my Gladiator logo on this uniform," the three-time Super Bowl MVP Mahomes said. "There's a lot of history and meaning behind the 'Let's Ride' uniform design, and I'm excited to help bring these partners together to share it with Red Raider fans and put it on the field this week." Read more here.
HOMERS: Not only is Texas Tech kicking off it's conference title defense campaign, it's trying to defend home turf ... which has been effective recently. The Red Raiders have not allowed more than 17 points in any of their last nine home games.
INJURIES: Head coach Joey McGuire announced that he's expecting safety Brenden Jordan (team rules violation) and defensive lineman Trey White (knee bone bruise) to be active on Friday, though they're still designated as "questionable". Johnson, the team's leading receiver, is listed as "probable".
WHAT: Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) vs. Houston Cougars (2-0, 0-0 Big 12)
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 18 | 7 p.m. CT
WHERE: Galaxy Stadium | Lubbock, TX
TV: FOX
RADIO: KTTU "Double T" 97.3 FM
BETTING ODDS via DraftKings
SPREAD: Texas Tech -7.5 (-110), Houston +7.5 (-110)
TOTAL: 52.5 (over -108, under -112)
MONEYLINE: Texas Tech -325, Houston +260
