Point 1: Key Player
| Player | Vital Information |
|---|---|
| Name: | D’Vonta Hinton |
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Height/Weight: | 5-9/225 |
| Classification: | Freshman |
| Key Stats: | 40 tackles; 2 tackles for loss; 2 QB hurries; 1 forced fumble |
Pretty good feeling that Hinton is going to get quite the workout on Saturday. If Allen can’t play, this position this becomes even more worrisome with the run-heavy Kansas State Wildcats. Texas Tech is relying on a true freshman linebacker and most likely a couple of additional linebackers that haven’t seen much playing time this year. Better be ready to be patient and stay at home.
Point 2: Uniform Tracker
| Uniform Tracker | ||||||
| Opponent | Helmet | Jersey | Pants | Result | ||
| Sam Houston State | W, 59-45 | |||||
| UTEP | W, 69-20 | |||||
| Arkansas | W, 35-24 | |||||
| TCU | L, 55-52 | |||||
| Baylor | L, 63-35 | |||||
| Iowa State | W, 66-31 | |||||
| Kansas | W, 30-20 | |||||
| Oklahoma | L, 63-27 | |||||
| Oklahoma State | L, 70-53 | |||||
| West Virginia | L, 31-28 | |||||
Point 3: Keys to the Game
Thanks to Football Study Hall (where there are more stats than just these, so make sure and check them out): Texas Tech’s profile and Kansas State’s profile.
Even after the performance last week, Texas Tech is still an elite offense. The thing that encourages me here are the efficiency and finishing drive rankings, that Texas Tech is still pretty efficient, while Kansas State has a hard time stopping folks.
 TTU O Rank |
 KSU D Rank |
|
|---|---|---|
| S&P+ | 2 | 52 |
| Points/Gm | 5 | 85 |
| Explosiveness | 11 | 91 |
| Efficiency | 17 | 97 |
| Field Position | 80 | 93 |
| Finishing Drives | 17 | 50 |
Eh, there’s not a ton to be totally excited about here other than Kansas State does struggle, somewhat, to finish drives. They haven’t played the Texas Tech defense, so, you know.
TTU D Rank |
KSU O Rank |
|
|---|---|---|
| S&P+ | 119 | 66 |
| Points/Gm | 123 | 81 |
| Explosiveness | 76 | 118 |
| Efficiency | 127 | 60 |
| Field Position | 47 | 35 |
| Finishing Drives | 124 | 56 |
Point 4: Texas Tech Offense vs. Kansas State Defense
The more traditional stats do say that KSU is a really good run team, and we talked about how they have had some terrific games, but they’ve also had some stinkers as well. The red zone percentage bodes well for Texas Tech.
Point 5: Texas Tech Defense vs. Kansas State Offense
If K-State gets in the red zone, it’s pretty much church. They just haven’t consistently produced the yards (although it was against really tough competition). Not a real aggressive pass defense for K-State could also be good news here.
Point 6: A Look at the Kansas State Offense
Pretty standard set, 20 personnel, and the back on the left is a blocking back.
This offense works really well in the red zone and you can see how well Kansas State has this thing blocked up. There’s a safety at the 8 yard line and he’s the only guy unblocked at this point. Kansas State ends up getting to the 2 yard line or so.
I liked this for a couple of reasons. First, we get a unique perspective, one where Hubener is looking at the field and he sees no safety. That’s the first read.
This is one of those pop-passes that Kingsbury talked about. Hubener goes with the fake, and then somewhat hovers around the line of scrimmage. You can hardly see the intended target, he’s in between the two defenders at the top of the K-State logo and Hubener does a terrific job of throwing the pass where only the receiver can get it.
Again, get used to this look, 20 personnel and this is going to be a zone read. A very patient zone read.
Three seconds have clicked off the clock and Hubener does a good job of recognizing the fact that defense is keying on the running back and he’s got a pretty nice bit of field to run.
This is the very next play, same offensive set.
Hubener makes the correct read again, the defensive end is right there, and the running back is small and shifty enough to turn this play into a 15 yard gain. Seriously.
Point 7: A Look at the Kansas State Defense
We’ll start with the easy stuff. Pretty standard defensive look here with Baylor in 10 personnel, 4-2-5 personnel and they’re playing way off the receivers.
Surprisingly, despite having options, Kansas State gets to the QB and forces him to run a bit for a two yard gain. I would guess that the strength of the KSU defense is the defensive line.
Another standard play, same personnel for Kansas State, but BU has that tight end playing, but they’re sticking to the 4-2-5 front.
Again, the defensive line really collapses on the running back. If Texas Tech is going to be successful running, they’ll have to be proficient at beating your man and turning the line.
Kansas State is pressing Coleman with a safety over the top. The key is the receiver at the top of the screen.
The linebacker gets sucked in by the play-action and that leaves that receiver all alone on a slant with one-on-one coverage. Notice that there’s just one guy, KD Cannon, on the route. That’s it.
