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Is Texas Tech football in for another blowout win vs. Kent State? Our prediction
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- Is Texas Tech football in for another blowout win vs. Kent State? Our prediction
The first of what should be two cakewalks for the Texas Tech football team proved to be as much.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff was not up to snuff to present any formidable challenges to the Red Raiders , who coasted to a 67-7 win. Will it be a similar story when Kent State ventures into Jones AT&T Stadium on Saturday? Joey McGuire has said a few times already that the opponent shouldn't matter if Texas Tech takes care of its own business.
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The Golden Flashes already have more wins in 2025 than they had in all of 2024, but needed a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown to get by Merrimack. This one likely won't come down to a late-game special teams play, but weirder things have happened to the Red Raiders .
Here's a breakdown of what to look for between the Red Raiders and Golden Flashes, and a prediction for the final score of the game.
When Texas Tech football runs the ball
The first game of split duty between J'Koby Williamsand Cameron Dickeyfared well. Dickey carved out 90 yards on 13 rushing attempts while Williams totaled 56 on 6 totes to go with a rushing score. Kent State gave up 4.7 yards per carry to Merrimack, most of it coming from QB Ayden Pereira. Don't expect to see much QB run game from Texas Tech.
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Advantage: Texas Tech
When Kent State runs the ball
It was, um, tough sledding for the Golden Flashes on the ground in Week 1. Jahzae Kimbroughhad 39 yards on seven carries while the rest of the team totaled 57 yards on 22 carries. Pine Bluff only generated 53 rushing yards on 26 carries against Texas Tech.
Advantage: Texas Tech
When Texas Tech football passes the ball
Behren Morton's leg will be the big headline going into Saturday's game, but it seems unlikely Morton would play the entire game against Kent State anyway. Morton had 201 yards on 16-of-20 passing with four touchdowns before checking out with 8:56 left in the second quarter. Terrance Carter Jr.had two touchdowns, Reggie Virgiland Coy Eakineach one with the starters still in. Seven different players had catches for Merrimack.
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Advantage: Texas Tech
When Kent State passes the ball
CJ Montes(91 yards) and Dru Deshields(118) each completed six passes and threw a touchdown, though Montes got the start and closed the game against Merrimack. Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Woodsaid he wouldn't be surprised to see both QBs on Saturday. Cade Wolfordonly caught two passes but both went for touchdowns and a total of 109 yards. The Red Raiders gave up 122 passing yards against Pine Bluff, but most of that came in the second half with the second- and third-string players in.
Advantage: Texas Tech
Texas Tech football vs. Kent State: The specialists
Texas Tech split kicking duties in the opener. Upton Bellenfantand Stone Harringtoneach kicked short field goals but Bellenfant missed an extra-point late in the game. Jack Burgessdid not have to attempt a punt. Jake Stoeckelhad six punts that averaged 28.8 yards per kick for Kent State last week and Will Hryszkomissed a 27-yard field goal.
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Advantage: Texas Tech
Final score prediction for Texas Tech football vs. Kent State
Texas Tech 50, Kent State 6:Pretty much a carbon copy of the Arkansas-Pine Bluff game minus the weather delay — fingers crossed — but the Red Raiders should be able to manage their subs better with a regular game flow.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Predicting the final score of Texas Tech football vs. Kent State
