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FACTS & STATS: Site: Jones SBC (50,500) -- Lubbock, Texas. Television: Local. Home Record: K-State 2-0, Texas Tech 3-0. Away Record: K- State 0-2, Texas Tech 0-2. Neutral Record: K-State 1-0, Texas Tech 0-0. Conference Record: K-State 1-0, Texas Tech 0-1. Series Record: Texas Tech leads, 7-3.

GAME NOTES: Big 12 Conference rivals collide in Lubbock on Saturday night, as the Texas Tech Red Raiders play host to the Kansas State Wildcats.

Kansas State, under the guidance of legendary head coach Bill Snyder, owns a 3-2 record heading into this clash. The Wildcats have won their last two outings, including a thrilling 24-23 triumph over Iowa State last weekend in the Big 12 opener. Both road games to date have ended in defeat, so Snyder's troops need to prove that they can earn a victory in a hostile environment, and Lubbock certainly qualifies as such.

The Red Raiders managed to halt a two-game skid with a 48-28 romp over New Mexico last weekend and now own a 3-2 overall record. They lost their lone Big 12 game to Texas back in mid-September and can't afford to fall into an 0-2 hole. Tech is 3-0 at home this season, but all three opponents that coach Mike Leach's squad has faced in Lubbock have been inferior.

The Red Raiders improved to 7-3 all-time against the Wildcats with a 58-28 romp over Kansas State last season.

Through five games, Kansas State is averaging 23.6 ppg and 372.0 total ypg. The Wildcats have scored 14 offensive touchdowns, and nine of those have been of the rushing variety. Daniel Thomas is the club's workhorse back, and he has rushed for 529 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.6 ypc. Quarterbacks Carson Coffman and Grant Gregory have both posted two rushing scores, and both have two passing touchdowns to their credit as well. Coffman is used much more as a passer than Gregory, but both have been solid contributors. As for the receivers, Brandon Banks leads the way with 23 catches for 289 yards and one touchdown. In the narrow victory over Iowa State last time out, K-State posted 360 total yards and scored three offensive touchdowns. Grant was 16-of-23 passing for 206 yards and two touchdowns against the Cyclones, and he also had the club's lone rushing score. As for Thomas, he gained 96 rushing yards on 25 attempts.

Opponents are scoring 17.4 ppg and gaining 267.2 total ypg this season against a tough Kansas State defense that has allowed nine touchdowns to opposing offenses in 20 quarters of football. The run defense has been especially tough, permitting a mere 3.7 yards per rushing attempt with three touchdowns allowed. While the Wildcats have allowed twice as many passing scores, they have limited opposing quarterbacks to less than a 50 percent completion rating. Tysyn Hartman leads KSU with 26 total tackles, and he has three interceptions. The Wildcats surrendered 371 yards to Iowa State last weekend, including 207 on the ground. They permitted the Cyclones to score three offensive touchdowns, so there is certainly some room for improvement defensively.

Texas Tech is scoring 38.6 ppg this season while racking up 478.0 total ypg. True, Michael Crabtree has moved on, but that doesn't mean that the offense is void of weapons. Taylor Potts is the club's starting quarterback, and he has completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 1,817 yards and 13 touchdowns against six interceptions. Alex Torres is tops with 29 catches, while Lyle Leong leads the way with five receiving scores. As for Tramain Swindall, he has racked up 367 yards and four scores on just 19 catches. Baron Batch leads the ground attack with 226 yards, but everyone knows that the Red Raiders rely heavily on the pass to move the ball and score points. Unfortunately, Potts will most likely be watching this weekend's game from the sidelines, as he suffered a concussion against New Mexico and is listed as doubtful for this clash. Backup quarterback Steve Sheffield performed admirably in the absence of Potts, as he threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns. It still remains to be seen when star offensive lineman Brandon Carter will be allowed to play again after being suspended by coach Leach a couple of weeks ago.

Opponents are managing 22.8 ppg and 362.8 total ypg against the Red Raiders, who are allowing just 3.0 yards per rushing attempt and 9.4 yards per pass completion. With 14 sacks, it is obvious that Tech has done of solid job of generating pressure, but the team's total of eight takeaways is rather mediocre. Marlon Williams and Brian Duncan are tied for the team lead with 40 total tackles each, while Daniel Howard has five sacks to his credit. The Red Raiders didn't play great defense against New Mexico, which was able to score three times and rack up 431 yards. But it is important to keep in mind that the Tech defense was on the field for more than 36 minute, a product of the Red Raiders' pass-happy offense that doesn't produce many long drives.

Texas Tech is the pick in this contest, as it clearly plays its best ball at home. Sure, Sheffield is rather unproven, but he certainly looked solid in place of Potts last week. The system that Leach runs is a quarterback's dream, and Sheffield will be the next to flourish, at least for a second week.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas Tech 41, Kansas State 24