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Texas Tech @ SMU: August 30

Texas Tech @ SMU: August 30th
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Raiders travel to Dallas, Texas to take on the SMU Mustangs in the first game of the Kingsbury era.

Tech will have their work cut out for them as the Mustangs are a scrappy bunch and will be in front of their home crowd. Don't expect a huge home-field advantage, though, as Red Raider alumni look to fill a large amount of the SMU stands with scarlet and black.

Look for SMU to hang with the Red Raiders during the first half as quarterback Brewer settles in for his first start. The Red Raiders will start to get separation late in the third quarter as defensive tackle Hyder starts to get pressure on SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert, and Tech wins somewhat comfortably.

My prediction: Texas Tech: 41, SMU: 31

Record: 1-0

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Stephen F. Austin @ Texas Tech: September 7

Stephen F. Austin @ Texas Tech: September 7th
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

After escaping Dallas with a win, the Red Raiders head back home to take on in state FCS school Stephen F. Austin.

The Lumberjacks went 5-6 last year and are extremely outmatched against the Red Raiders. This should be a tune-up game before the Red Raiders have a huge home game against the TCU Horned Frogs the next week.

Brewer throws for three touchdowns and rushes for one before getting replaced by true freshman Davis Webb halfway through the third quarter. Running backs Kenny Williams and DeAndre Washington combine for three rushing touchdowns and 175 yards on their way to a blowout.

My prediction: Texas Tech: 59, Stephen F. Austin: 14

Record: 2-0

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TCU @ Texas Tech: September 12

TCU @ Texas Tech: September 12
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

After a short week, the Red Raiders host TCU on a Thursday night at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock. Last year, the Red Raiders got the best of the Horned Frogs in a 56-53 triple-overtime game that featured many trick plays and a rowdy atmosphere.

This year should be no different in terms of a tight competition. The atmosphere will be electric for Kingsbury's first home game against a Big 12 opponent.

The Horned Frogs will come out of the gate hot and take a 14-0 lead, as they will get their running game going with the help of running back B.J. Catalon and quarterback Casey Pachall--assuming he starts.

Tech quarterback Brewer connects with wide receiver Eric Ward for a touchdown late in the first quarter and the halftime score ends up 17-14 TCU.

The Red Raiders will take a brief lead midway through the third quarter before the Horned Frogs regain the lead to take a 24-21 lead going into the fourth. After going up 31-24, Pachall throws a critical interception in the end zone, right as the Horned Frogs think they have sealed the game. The Red Raiders tie the game 31-31 with minutes remaining as running back Williams breaks away for a long touchdown. With the game tied, Pachall drives into field goal territory and the Horned Frogs nail a 45 yarder to win the game in exciting fashion.

My prediction: TCU: 34, Texas Tech: 31

Record: 2-1

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Texas State @ Texas Tech: September 21

Texas State @ Texas Tech: September 21st
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

After the close loss against TCU, the Red Raiders will be angry and the Texas State Bobcats will be the victims of their anger.

Tech and Texas State have played the past two seasons and both of the contests have been lopsided. In 2011, the Bobcats surprised the Red Raiders and took a 10-9 lead at halftime. Tech made adjustments and ended up winning 50-10 in Lubbock. Then, in 2012, the Bobcats hosted the Red Raiders in San Marcos in front of a record setting crowd. Texas Tech took control of the game early and never let up, winning 58-10.

This year should be no different and Texas State will have a lot of trouble containing Texas Tech's offense. The Bobcats should be improved from last year, but really don't stand much of a chance against the Red Raiders. I see Tech gaining an early lead as Brewer throws for three touchdowns in the first half and Williams tacks on two rushing touchdowns. After being up 35-7 at halftime, Brewer throws one more touchdown before being rested and Webb comes in and throws two more to cap off the blowout.

My prediction: Texas Tech: 56, Texas State: 17

Record: 3-1

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Kansas @ Texas Tech: October 5

Kansas @ Texas Tech: October 5th
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Last year's match between the Kansas Jayhawks and Red Raiders was a close one with Tech winning 41-34 in double overtime.

Kansas has struggled mightily the past four seasons and are looking for their first Big 12 win since 2010. They got close against Texas Tech and the Texas Longhorns last year and you've got to think they will get a Big 12 win this year.

This game has been labeled a "trap game" for Texas Tech by many college football writers, but I don't see them losing.

After taking a 31-14 halftime lead, the Red Raiders will cruise to a 45-28 win behind Brewers four passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. The Jayhawks make the score respectable, but really never get close to competing.

My prediction: Texas Tech: 45, Kansas: 28

Record: 4-1

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Iowa State @ Texas Tech: October 12

Iowa State @ Texas Tech: October 12th
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Texas Tech went into Ames, Iowa last year and put on a good performance en route to a 24-13 win. Texas Tech should be favored in this game and could most likely earn a top 25 ranking with a win against the Iowa State Cyclones.

Iowa State should once again be a solid defensive team, but also should struggle offensively. I see the game tied at 17-17 when halftime comes around. Iowa State quarterback Sam Richardson has a strong game, but throws a late interception in the fourth quarter. Tech running back Washington has his breakout game of the season while rushing for 150+ yards and two touchdowns and the Red Raiders put this game away with minutes remaining.

My prediction: Texas Tech: 38, Iowa State: 27

Record: 5-1

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Texas Tech @ West Virginia: October 19

Texas Tech @ West Virginia: October 19th
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The West Virginia Mountaineers came into Jones AT&T Stadium last year with a No. 5 ranking and left embarrassed after getting handed a 42-14 spanking. This year, the Mountaineers will be looking for revenge when the Red Raiders travel to Morgantown for an offensive battle.

There's a history between head coaches Kingsbury and Dana Holgorsen. Holgorsen was the offensive coordinator at the University of Houston when Kingsbury started his coaching career as a quality control assistant. Kingsbury then took Holgorsens offensive coordinator job there when he left to be the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State in 2010. Kingsbury played under Mike Leach and Holgorsen coached under him. The offensive mindset is very alike between these two.

I see this being a high scoring game with a halftime score of 28-24, West Virginia leading. Texas Tech quarterback takes the lead for the Red Raiders midway through the fourth quarter when he connects with tight end Jace Amaro to take a 38-35 lead. Holgerson gets into field goal range with minutes remaining, but passes up the field goal and Mountaineers running back Andrew Buie makes a 35 yard rushing touchdown to go up by four. The Red Raiders make a last minute drive, but come up short when Brewer's heave to the end zone is intercepted and seals the game.

My prediction: West Virginia: 42, Texas Tech: 38

Record: 5-2

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Texas Tech @ Oklahoma: October 26

Texas Tech @ Oklahoma: October 26th
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Last year, the Oklahoma Sooners held control of the game against the Red Raiders for basically the whole contest on their way to a 41-20 win in Lubbock.

It's always hard to get a win in Norman, Oklahoma and this year should be no different. Sooners quarterback Blake Bell is unproven, but has a strong supporting cast around him as the Sooners almost always do. I see this game being close in the first half with the Sooners being up 21-14 at halftime. In the second half though, I think they turn up the intensity and Stoops' Sooners win comfortably.

My prediction: Oklahoma Sooners: 38, Texas Tech Red Raiders: 28

Record: 5-3

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Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech: November 2

Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech: November 2nd
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma State Cowboys have dominated the Red Raiders for the past four seasons. The Red Raiders haven't beat the Cowboys since 2008 and three out of the four contests haven't even been close.

With that said, the Red Raiders may put an end to that domination in 2013.

Tech quarterback Michael Brewer has his best half of the season, giving the Red Raiders a commanding 28-10 lead going into halftime. The Cowboys storm back in the second half behind a strong performance by senior quarterback Clint Chelf. The Red Raiders have a four point lead going into the fourth, but another clutch touchdown pass from Brewer to wide receiver Ward seals the deal as the Red Raiders put the game out of reach with just minutes left.

My prediction: Texas Tech: 42, Oklahoma State: 31

Record: 6-3

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Kansas State @ Texas Tech: November 9

Kansas State @ Texas Tech: November 9th
Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas State Wildcats are 5-8 all time against the Red Raiders, but have won the last two meetings. The slate is wiped clean with a new coach, but can Texas Tech beat the Bill Snyder led Wildcats?

The Wildcats will almost certainly come down to earth after winning 21 games the last two seasons after losing quarterback Colin Klein and will probably be fighting for a bowl spot, but you never know when you have one of the all time best coaches on your side.

I think Texas Tech has a great shot at winning this game in Lubbock and redeem itself from the poor performances against Kansas State the last two years. A breakout player I see in this game for the Red Raiders is slot receiver and return specialist Jakeem Grant. Grant is one of the quickest and most explosive players in the nation, and people will know his name by the end of the 2013 season. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns last year and will look to make an even bigger splash in the college football world this fall.

Kansas State is much like Iowa State in that they base themselves off a solid running game and a stout defense, but the Wildcats will be missing Klein dearly this year. The Red Raiders will take advantage of a somewhat anemic offense for Kansas State and will take an early lead and hold on to a 10 point win in Lubbock.

My prediction: Texas Tech: 35, Kansas State: 17

Record: 7-3

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Texas Tech vs. Baylor (Cowboys Stadium)

Texas Tech vs. Baylor (Cowboys Stadium)
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Raiders had beaten the Baylor Bears 15 times in a row until 2011. Since then, the Bears have won two in a row and have caused serious problems for Tech in the process.

This may be the most important game on Texas Tech's schedule as another loss to Baylor could seriously hurt their future recruiting and would give a big boost to Baylor's season, not to mention, bragging rights for alumni.

The past two games have been high scoring, close games with Baylor coming out on top both times. This year will probably be no different. I think the key difference here will be Brewer's ability to scramble and will cause the Baylor defense to second guess themselves.

Tech goes into halftime with a three point lead at 24-21 and comes out of the second half fired up. The Red Raiders will hold a 10 point lead near the end of the game and ice the game with a late score by running back Williams. Tech will finally get back on track against Baylor and will be riding high after this game.

My prediction: Texas Tech: 48, Baylor Bears: 31

Record: 8-3

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Texas Tech @ Texas: November 28

Texas Tech @ Texas: November 28th
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Raiders travel to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns where they haven't won since 1997.

There's something about the University of Texas that doesn't bode well with the Red Raiders. It seems that no matter if they're supposed to win or not, they can't seem to beat the Longhorns very often, especially in Austin.

This year shouldn't be much of an exception. The Longhorns will come out of the gate and pound the ball on the Red Raiders to go up by 10 points at halftime. The Red Raiders will battle back and get within three points at the end of the third, but won't take the lead. The Longhorns will ride a strong running game and defense to another win against the Red Raiders.

My prediction: Texas: 38, Texas Tech:28

Record: 8-4

The Red Raiders see a good, solid first year under Kingsbury and go into their bowl game with an 8-4 record. The season will be up and down, with nice wins against Oklahoma State, Baylor and Kansas State, but will lose once again to rivals Texas and Oklahoma. Still though, Texas Tech will see a bright future under Kingsbury moving forward.

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