Trevone Boykin and the Horned Frog offense will have to run the ball to keep Texas Tech’s defense on the field.

As we head to the South Plains for a visit with Texas Technical College (Tech’s original name), both teams are approaching this game from different places than what might have been anticipated before the season.

Tech is 3-0 and hot, coming off a win over Arkansas (in Fayetteville) last weekend. Their offense is back to its old self, and the defense is showing signs of improvement, especially creating turnovers. Tech still has trouble stopping the run (more on that later), but new defensive coordinator David Gibbs may just be the “offseason hire of the year” in the Big 12. He’s definitely had an impact.

A sold-out crowd will greet the Frogs Saturday afternoon at AT&T Jones Stadium. It will be loud, and Tech fans, believing that their team should be ranked, will be ready to distract the No. 2/3 Frogs.

Taking the crowd out of the game will be key. That means a fast start by the offense.

Here are some other huge factors to the game:

• The Frogs have to control the ball (and the clock) to protect their ad hoc defense. Those guys are playing hard, but it’s not the crew Coach P and the defensive staff envisioned a month ago. So you have to give them all the help you can. I think that means running the ball – yes, I said it – even though the Air Raid offense rules at TCU. This season’s situation calls for alternate measures. The Frogs have done a good job on the ground at 231 yards per game. Meanwhile, Tech’s run defense is ranked No. 122 in the nation, giving up 257 yards per contest. Sam Houston State ran for 317 on the Scarlet & Black. Sure, throw it when it’s there, but running the ball and running the clock is good for all 22 this week.

• Tacking is key in this one – and I mean on first contact. Tech’s receivers will make catches. The difference is stopping them at the point of the catch. Don’t allow them to get up-field with sloppy tackling. “Hunting together,” as Coach P likes to say is critical.

• Special teams play will be big in this one. Lubbock is a windy place, and it’s also a very bright place on a sunny day. Returners are going to have to secure the ball while fighting the sun while working from north to south. Punters and kickers are going to have to be solid at impact when kicking into the breeze.

• Frogs need a fast start. TCU has been good at this. So has Tech. The Red Raiders have scored on their opening possession in each of their first three games. If this turns out to be a shootout, it’s good to score first (and have the ball last).

Dinner’s at The Fifty Yard Line steakhouse tonight…a Lubbock legend.

Kick ‘Em High!