Fresh off a trouncing of No. 15 Oklahoma State, TCU is full of confidence but hasn’t forgotten its bitter loss to Baylor two weeks ago. Many Horned Frogs still remember the 56-53 triple-overtime loss to Tech two years ago, as well as the 20-10 defeat last year that featured questionable refereeing. Meanwhile, Tech lost four straight before squeaking by a lowly Kansas squad last Saturday. The Red Raiders could also have a few key players out with injury. Here’s a look at who to watch in this week’s matchup.
Texas Tech
Jakeem Grant, wide receiver, junior
The diminutive playmaker has been Tech’s best receiving threat this year, catching 50 balls for 629 yards and five touchdowns. However, Grant was involved in an incident at a club this past weekend and briefly hospitalized. Gunshots rang out at a Lubbock club early Sunday morning and Grant was injured in a stabbing, according to the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office. He was treated, stitched up, and released on Sunday. Coach Kliff Kingsbury said Grant will not practice early this week. If Grant can’t play, the Tech offense will lose a huge offensive weapon.
Bradley Marquez, wide receiver, senior
The other key receiver in Tech’s passing attack is senior Bradley Marquez, who leads the team in touchdowns with seven while accumulating 517 yards on 41 receptions. Although, Marquez hasn’t practiced this week either, and his status is questionable for Saturday’s game because of an injury. A leader on the team who has contributed in each of the last four seasons, Marquez will be one to watch this weekend, if he makes it onto the field.
Davis Webb, quarterback, sophomore
Webb has thrown 22 touchdowns through seven games so far this season, but his accuracy has been an issue for the Red Raiders. Averaging two interceptions per game over the last five games, Davis will face a ball-hawking TCU secondary that leads the Big 12 in interceptions with 11. The TCU defense is also third in the Big 12 in sacks. Davis will need to quickly adapt to playing against TCU’s unique 4-2-5 defense, and he may have to do that without his two best receivers.
TCU
Ranthony Texada, cornerback, first-year student
No one expected the first-year corner to be flawless in his debut season, and the young defensive back has experienced some growing pains, most notably in the loss to Baylor. As the most inexperienced member of TCU’s secondary, Texada will continue to be targeted by opposing quarterbacks. However, senior Kevin White said after the win over OSU that he’s been mentoring Texada this season, and he tells Ran-Tex to take everything one game and one play at a time. White said opposing teams will continue to pick on Texada, but it will be his job to make them pay for it. Look to see if Texada can play at a high-level against a pass-happy Tech offense.
Josh Doctson, wide receiver, junior
Before last Saturday, Doctson never had a 100-yard receiving game at TCU, let alone a 200-yard effort. His 225-yard, two touchdown performance earned him Big 12 Player of the Week honors, and Doctson could use his breakout game as a catalyst for the rest of the season. Although quarterback Trevone Boykin loves to spread the ball around to all of his receivers, Doctson is quickly becoming one of his favorite targets. Watch to see if Doctson continues his recent form against Tech.
Sonny Cumbie, co-offensive coordinator
Although he won’t be playing on the field, Cumbie will have as much of an impact on the game as anyone. Arriving from Texas Tech this past offseason, Cumbie helped implement TCU’s Air Raid offense that has seen the offense rise from 106th in the country last year to seventh this season. Cumbie’s history with the Tech program adds intrigue to the matchup, as many standing on the away sideline at Amon G. Carter will be familiar with his play-calling. Coach Patterson said TCU will change some offensive signals this week to ensure that Tech doesn’t have the upper-hand. Cumbie deserves credit for much of TCU’s offensive success this year, and it will be interesting to see how his current squad fares against his former team this Saturday.
Prediction
The key position matchup of this game will be Tech’s passing attack against TCU’s vaunted secondary. If the Horned Frogs play like they did against Baylor, this game could be much closer than many anticipate. If TCU shuts down Davis Webb and co., and the offense continues to roll, this one will likely end in a blowout. TCU 41, Texas Tech 17.
