Tech-TCU, Clifton-Triple A highlight Slovacek's I-35 Showdowns

Slovacek's logoTo honor the loyal football fans that travel great distances to support their favorite team, DCTF and our friends from Slovacek’s in West, Texas are proud to present The Slovacek’s I-35 Showdowns of the Week. Texas Tech (3-4) at TCU (4-3) 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth The unpredictable nature of college football is a major source of the charm that surrounds the sport – especially when old rivals face each other. That being said, you should expect a bevy of points when Texas Tech faces TCU this Saturday afternoon in Fort Worth. Since the Horned Frogs joined the Big 12, the average TCU-Tech matchup has produced nearly 89 points scored between the two teams. A year ago, TCU running back Aaron Green hauled in a miraculous touchdown reception with less than a minute remaining to give the Frogs the victory in a heart-stopping 55-52 shootout. Coming into this weekend, both offenses look more than capable of producing the kind of eye-popping stats that have defined the modern renewal of this rivalry. Texas Tech is the top offense in the country, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes – who himself leads the FBS in passing yards after accounting for more than 800 total yards and 7 touchdowns a week ago. TCU’s Kenny Hill is 10th in the nation in passing yards, while the Frogs rank 16th in total offense. On the flip side, however, you have the two defenses. Tech ranks 127th in total defense, having surrendered more than 530 yards and nearly 44 points per contest. TCU, whose defensive struggles are not quite as dramatic (their average of 418 yards surrendered per game ranks 77th), have nonetheless been plagued by broken coverages and missed tackles the belie Gary Patterson’s defensive reputation. While nothing has proved effective for opposing defenses in stopping Mahomes this year, the Frogs’ best hopes may lie with their offense being able to keep him on the sideline. Junior tailback Kyle Hicks has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the past two games, and his ability to churn through time-consuming yardage may be TCU’s best hope of limiting the Red Raider offensive onslaught. Clifton (4-4) at Dallas Triple A Academy (4-4) 7:30 p.m. Friday at South Grand Prairie What happens when the unstoppable force meets the immovable object? We’ll find out Friday evening, when Clifton heads north on I-35 to face Dallas Triple A Academy in a battle for first place in District 11-3A Division II. Over the past month, the Clifton defense has rounded into the kind of form that can lead a team deep into the postseason. The Cubs have given up just 27 total points in their four district victories, including shutouts in each of their past two games. In last week’s 56-0 victory over Blooming Grove, the Cub defense scored twice for themselves when Hunter Ringo took a first quarter interception to the house and Jesus Enriquez recovered a fumble in the end zone in the final frame. Awaiting the Cubs upon their arrival will be a Dallas Triple A Academy team that has really found an offensive rhythm and potency not usually seen with a first-year varsity program. The Stallions have scored 50 points or more in each of their four district victories, and have found a trio of dangerous big play threats – that are all underclassmen. In last week’s 50-30 victory over Rio Vista, junior quarterback Pierce White and sophomore running back JaMarvin Hartfield combined for 321 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Of White’s 138 passing yards, 118 came on the four connections he made with junior receiver Kentavon Hawkins that produced another score.