Texas Tech vs. TCU 2012 preview: Horned Frogs get tough test at home

No. 23 TCU heads home this weekend to take on No. 17 Texas Tech in what could be the first truly tough test for the Horned Frogs in their first season in the Big 12.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders are coming off a 49-14 dismantling of then-No. 5 West Virginia, in which Tech held one of the more explosive offenses in the NCAA to just 408 total yards of offense and 14 points. The Raiders found a way to contain Geno Smith, limiting the phenom to just one touchdown int he game on 55 passing attempts.

Texas Tech will have another tough test on the road on Saturday with Trevone Boykin and TCU, a team that put up 49 points and more than 500 yards of offense against Baylor last week. While the TCU offense has gotten a lot of attention the past few weeks, especially with Boykin's breakout game against Baylor, the defense has been the team's strongest asset through six games.

Both the Red Raiders and Horned Frogs sport two of the toughest defenses in the Big 12, with neither team allowing more than 100 points on the season. Tech's combination of strong defense and explosive offense, led by quarterback Seth Doege, is a big reason for the team's surprisingly strong performance so far this season.

Texas Tech takes on TCU this Saturday, Oct. 20, at 2:30 p.m. CT with coverage on ABC and ESPN2.