FACTS & STATS: Site: Rice Stadium (70,000) -- Houston, Texas. Television:FSN. Home Record: Texas Tech 1-0, Rice 0-1. Away Record: Texas Tech 1-0, Rice 0-1. Neutral Record: Texas Tech 0-0, Rice 0-0. Conference Record: Texas Tech 0-0, Rice 0-0. Series Record: Texas Tech leads, 25-20-1.

GAME NOTES: The Texas Tech Red Raiders play their third straight Conference USA opponent this Saturday, as they do battle with the Rice Owls from Houston. The Red Raiders don't seem to mind playing members of C-USA, as they enter the season 2-0 following wins over SMU (49-9) and most recently Texas-El Paso (45-31) this past weekend. The win over UTEP improved Texas Tech to a perfect 8-0 in home openers under head coach Mike Leach. Following this weekend's game, the Red Raiders will turn their attention to Big 12 play with a bout against Oklahoma State on September 22nd. As for Rice, it is in the midst of playing three straight games against Big 12 opponents, a task that is not easy for any school. The Owls, who play nationally-ranked Texas on September 22nd, began this stretch of play against Big 12 schools with a 42-17 setback to Baylor last weekend. It was the second straight poor showing by the Owls, who opened their 2007 campaign with a 16-14 home loss to Football Championship Subdivision member Nicholls State. With respect to the all-time series, Texas Tech owns a 25-20-1 advantage over Rice, including a 31-26 triumph in the most recent meeting in 1995.

Texas Tech is well known for its passing attack and that was on display this past weekend, as the team gained 484 of its 561 total yards through the air in a 45-31 triumph over UTEP. Graham Harrell accounted for all those passing yards and he finished the game with four touchdowns and one interception on 48-of-64 throws. It was the second straight strong game for Harrell, who completed 44- of-59 throws for 419 yards and four scores in the team's opener. Freshman Michael Crabtree turned in another strong performance last weekend, as he pulled down 15 balls for 188 yards and two scores. In the team's opener, Crabtree caught 12 passes for 106 yards and three scores. Danny Amendola has caught 10 passes in each of his first two games, in addition to going over the 100-yard receiving mark in each contest. He has two touchdowns two his credit as well. In the backfield, Shannon Woods rushed for 46 yards and a score on seven carries last weekend and that was similar to his 45-yard and two touchdown effort in the team's opener.

After limiting SMU to just 270 total yards in their opener, the Red Raiders showed their true colors last weekend, allowing UTEP to rack up 431 yards, including 215 on the ground. The defense managed just one turnover and sack, while permitting UTEP to convert 11-of-18 third down attempts. The unit, however, got better as the game went along, as it allowed just three points after the break. Paul Williams posted nine tackles and a forced fumble in the win, while Darcel McBath also finished with nine stops.

Rice improved on the offensive side of the ball against Baylor last weekend, but the 349 total yards it gained wasn't nearly enough in a 42-17 setback. Still, it was a step up from the mere 218 yards they gained against a smaller Nicholls State school in their opener. Quarterback Chase Clement put forth a decent effort last weekend, throwing for 206 yards and an interception on 20- of-25 pass attempts. Clement, who threw for just 101 yards and three costly interceptions in the team's opener, also rushed for 28 yards and a score on 13 carries last weekend. His main target was Jarett Dillard, who caught five balls for 93 yards and a score. After catching a touchdown in 15 straight games, Dillard has been held without a score this season. In fact, Rice has yet to score a touchdown through the air thus far.

Much like their opponent in this game, the Owls faced a spread offense last weekend, and they had no success slowing down Baylor, which gained 512 total yards, including 423 through the air. Rice allowed six touchdowns via the pass and also watched Baylor convert on 10-of-16 third down attempts. This is certainly not an encouraging sign considering Texas Tech possesses an even more potent passing attack than Baylor. For the second straight game, Brian Raines led the Owls in tackles, finishing with 10.

Texas Tech is clearly the pick here, as its passing attack should score a lot of points early and often en route to a lopsided victory.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas Tech 45, Rice 17