Free College Football Picks Today: Kansas State Wildcats vs Texas Tech Red Raiders 10/1/22

The Texas Tech University Red Raiders (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) are on the road to take on the No. 25 Kansas State University Wildcats (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Saturday for a matchup that pits the Big 12 Conference’s strongest passing offense against one of its toughest aerial defenses. The Wildcats are eight-point favorites, and the total is 57. Texas Tech is coming off a tight 37-34 win over No. 22 Texas at Jones AT&T Stadium last Saturday. Donovan Smith threw for 331 yards and two touchdowns. SaRodorick Thompson ran 17 times for 70 yards and a touchdown. Myles Price caught 13 passes for 98 yards. Kansas State beat No. 6 Oklahoma 41-34 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium last Saturday. Adrian Martinez was 21 of 34 for 234 yards and a touchdown. He added 148 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Ben Sinnott caught four receptions for 80 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Wildcats won the only game between the teams last season, a 25-24 victory in October, their fifth straight win against Texas Tech. Deuce Vaughn had three touchdowns (2 rush, 1 rec) for Kansas State.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Red Raiders are averaging 36.8 points per game so far this season, 41st in FBS, and they are facing a Wildcats defense that has surrendered 15.8 PPG (20th). Meanwhile, Kansas State has scored 31.3 points a game this season, 66th in the country, and Texas Tech is allowing 25.3 PPG (71st).The Red Raiders rank as one of the nation’s top teams in passing yards per game (363.3, 3rd), while they are 109th in rushing yards (113.0). The Wildcats are 36th in passing yards allowed per game (193.3) and 80th against the run (151.3).Kansas State has been one of the country’s top rushing teams, averaging 248.3 yards per game (7th), while ranking 122nd in passing yards (145.0). The Red Raiders are allowing 227.5 passing yards (72nd) and 99.5 rushing yards per game (28th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through four games, Smith has thrown for nine touchdowns (5 INT) and 279.2 yards per game to lead Texas Tech in passing. In one previous away game this season, he had one TD (2 INT) and 214 yards passing. Tahj Brooks leads the team in rushing with an average of 42.5 yards a game over four games. He has four touchdowns on the ground. Price is the Red Raiders’ leading receiver with 66.2 yards a game and two TDs. Martinez has two passing touchdowns with 134.5 yards per game through four games to lead Kansas State. In three home games this season, he has thrown for one TD and an average of 101.3 yards. Vaughn has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 117.0 yards a game through four games. He has three touchdowns. Malik Knowles has been the primary target in the Wildcats’ aerial attack. He has one touchdown and a 36.0 yard per game average through four appearances.