Texas Tech travels to Kansas this weekend in a Big 12 matchup of Top 20 teams, and a score in the 53-51 range is expected. Before you chalk this up as a Red Raiders’ victory, and begin to get geeked about the potential of Texas visiting Lubbock next weekend in yet another game with National significance set in Texas, consider this: Texas Tech’s kicking situation is so horrible, that a transfer student (not even a walk-on!) who won free rent for a month may be attempting extra points and field goals Saturday.

Williams is a Tarleton State transfer student who won a month of free rent at the Tech/UMass game several weeks ago by kicking a 30-yard field goal. After his successful try, Williams was walking back to his seat when he was flagged down.

“They relayed a message to me saying that Coach [Mike] Leach wanted to talk to me,” Williams told RedRaiderSports.com the next day. “He told me to come into his office on Tuesday and talk to him, and then Coach [Clay] McGuire told me to come and speak with him on Monday.”

Perhaps because of this very situation (or the fact that they don’t play defense, you make the call), the unbeaten Red Raiders are underdogs on the road against Kansas. (Weird note someone pointed out: When was the last time that two unbeaten, Top 10 teams this late in the season were underdogs? Oklahoma State is a dog – obviously – against Texas.) If you’re wondering how the Jayhawks do in the kick-blocking department, we recommend asking Virginia Tech.

Texas Tech contest winner may kick this week (Red Raider Sports)

* Regarding the cheerleader … here. College. Sigh.