Texas Bowl Preview: LSU vs. Texas Tech
Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 9:00 p.m. ET
NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
It could be a very long night for the Texas Tech defense in the Texas Bowl.
The Red Raiders had the third-worst rushing defense in the entire nation, which is bad news when you are trying to slow down an LSU attack that features Leonard Fournette. Tech may have the crowd behind it, but support will quickly turn to boos if the Raiders can't find a way to at least slowdown the star running back.
Facing the Tigers will be a huge test for Texas Tech, who struggled to beat quality competition all year long. Four of the Red Raider's five losses came against TCU, Baylor, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. If they couldn't hang with the elite of the Big 12, matching up with one of the SEC's best teams figures to be a challenge.
LSU will be looking to finish 2015 on a positive note, after losses in three of its last four knocked it out of national-title contention. The Tigers don't want to get in a shootout with the Red Raiders, so neutralizing Texas Tech's potent attack will be crucial.
HOW THEY STACK UP:
LSU
Record: 8-3
College Football Playoff ranking: No. 20
Points per game: 30.7 (52nd)
Points against per game: 24 (44th)
Total Offense: 419 yards per game (50th)
Passing Yards: 173.1 (110th)
Rushing Yards: 245.9 (10th)
Total Defense: 342.5 (25th)
Passing Yards Allowed: 211 (50th)
Rushing Yards Allowed: 131.5 (25th)
Turnover Differential: +7 (T-24th)
Texas Tech
Record: 7-5
College Football Playoff ranking: N/R
Points per game: 46.6 (2nd)
Points against per game: 42.6 (124th)
Total Offense: 594.5 yards per game (2nd)
Passing Yards: 389.7 (2nd)
Rushing Yards: 204.8 (T-29th)
Total Defense: 540.2 (126th)
Passing Yards Allowed: 268.3 (114th)
Rushing Yards Allowed: 271.8 (125th)
Turnover Differential: +2 (T-50th)
WHY LSU COULD WIN: The Tigers will be in tough to slow down Texas Tech's offense, but their own offense may be able to help the cause. If LSU can run the ball like it has all season with Fournette and control the clock, it's going to limit the Red Raiders' possessions. Tech's high-flying attack won't be able to do much if they are sitting on the bench for close to 40 minutes.
WHY TEXAS TECH COULD WIN: The Red Raiders have to score early and often. Their offense rivals anyone in the nation and LSU is ill-equipped to get into a shootout. Brandon Harris only threw 12 touchdowns this year and didn't even hit 2,000 yards passing on the season. Les Miles won't want him dropping back to pass 30-plus times, which Harris will be forced to do if the Tigers have to match points with Tech. LSU isn't built to play from behind.
IMPACT PLAYER TO WATCH: MALACHI DUPRE, WR, LSU
In a game that figures to feature a heavy dose of Fournette, Dupre could be the X-factor that gives the Tigers some big plays. Chances are Texas Tech is going to crowd the box and allocate the bulk of its defense to stopping the run, leaving it vulnerable to play action plays down the field. That's where Dupre has shone brightest this season.
The wideout is averaging more than 15 yards a catch in 2015 and tallied half of the team's passing touchdowns with six. Last season his numbers were even better, as Dupre was averaging nearly 23 yards a catch. The sophomore's big-play capability could catch the Red Raiders off guard as the focus on the run and Dupre has the ability to deliver a knockout punch with a long receiving touchdown.