Kansas State vs. Texas Tech: Spread Info, BCS Impact, Line and Predictions

Not much was expected of them prior to the season, but the undefeated No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats will head to Lubbock, Texas to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in an effort to stay tied atop the Big 12 standings.

The Wildcats have certainly been a revelation this season and have gotten the job done with excellent defense and a balanced running attack. It hasn't always been pretty for Kansas State, but it boasts impressive victories over Missouri, Miami (FL) and No. 20 Baylor.

Texas Tech was on the verge of entering the top 25, but fell just short in a 45-40 shootout against No. 21 Texas A&M last week. The loss dropped the Red Raiders to 4-1, but they have a very strong team. The passing game has been the bread and butter, but running back Eric Stephens has made Texas Tech more rounded offensively than it has been in years.

Despite Kansas State's ranking, Texas Tech is favored at home, but this should be a tightly-contested battle that can certainly go either way.

Where: Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas

When: Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. EDT

Watch: FSN

Spread: Texas Tech (-3.5)

Some people may find Texas Tech being favored by 3.5 points to be a bit fishy, but think it's a pretty accurate line. The Wildcats have picked up some narrow victories and don't look the part of a team ranked No. 17 in the country.

The Red Raiders have been very impressive, though, in blowing some admittedly lesser opponents. The atmosphere should be great in Lubbock as well, so I give Texas Tech the edge. Even so, this has all the makings of a one-point game in my mind, so I would bet on Kansas State getting 3.5 points.

Over/Under: 61.5

Texas Tech has yet to score less than 35 points and Kansas State has yet to allow more than 35 points, so one side will likely have to give a little in this matchup. The Red Raiders have an offense that is capable of putting up points on any defense, though, so I tend to believe that they should be successful.

Texas Tech's defense isn't anything to write home about, however, so Kansas State will be able to get on the scoreboard too. I expect this to be a wild affair, and I think that these teams are very capable of surpassing the 61.5-point threshold. 

Kansas State Key Injuries

Out: RB Bryce Brown (personal)

Questionable: OL Manase Foketi (undisclosed), OL Shaun Simon (undisclosed)

Texas Tech Key Injuries

Out: RB Ronnie Daniels (suspension), LB Tanner Foster (knee)

Doubtful: RB Eric Stephens (knee)

Probable: WR Darrin Moore (knee), OL Mickey Okafor (ankle), UT Pete Robertson (shoulder)

BCS/Top-25 Poll Implications

A win is absolutely vital for Kansas State if it hopes to maintain its lofty ranking and possibly move up. There aren't many who believe in the Wildcats nationally, but a win over a very strong Texas Tech squad would be yet another step in the right direction.

A BCS bowl may not seem likely, but as long as Kansas State remains undefeated, it's a possibility. Texas Tech is barely outside the top 25 currently and may enter it with a win over the Wildcats. A BCS bowl is a long shot for them as well, but a win would give them a nice boost in the Big 12 standings.

Keys to Kansas State Win

Kansas State's offense has been absolutely excellent so far this season, but it will be tested by Texas Tech's high-powered passing attack. If the Wildcats can hold up defensively and at least hold the Red Raiders to less than 35 points, then their chances of winning go up exponentially.

Offensively, the Wildcats will have to continue to run the ball effectively. Running back John Hubert and quarterback Collin Klein give Kansas State a varied ground attack that should certainly give Texas Tech some issue. Both Hubert and Klein will have to be at their best.

Keys to Texas Tech Win

As has been the case for many years with Texas Tech, the passing game needs to be dominant in order to win. Running back Eric Stephens has ran the ball extremely well this season, but he is likely to miss Saturday's game with a knee injury, so everything will be riding on the arm of quarterback Seth Doege.

Doege has put up eye-popping numbers this season, with four games of 300 or more yards passing and at least three touchdowns in every game. His 17:1 touchdowns to interceptions ration and 71.4 percent completion percentage are excellent as well. If he continues his stellar play, then the Red Raiders will win.

Prediction

Texas Tech 41, Kansas State 40