#17 Oklahoma vs #10 Texas Tech
(6-1, 3-1) (7-0, 4-0)
Unbeaten and 10th Ranked Texas Tech visits #17 Oklahoma this Saturday in Norman. The Red Raiders have had a honeymoon start to the inaugural season of former Tech quarterback and new head coach Kliff Kingsbury. The Sooners must end the Red Raider win streak if they hope to have any chance of competing for the Big 12 championship this season.
Kingsbury has successfully repaired any broken connections to the Tech program brought on by the Tommy Tubberville era. Kingsbury was brought to college station by Tech legend Spike Dykes and played for controversial coach Mike Leach. Kingsbury has also surrounded him self with former Tech players on his coaching staff. He has the Red Raiders believing in themselves as a team. His offense is reminiscent of the type run by Leach and his team plays defense unlike the teams during the Leach era.
The big downside for Tech is they have only played one ranked opponent. TCU came in to the game ranked #24 and has since drooped out of the Top 25. Aside from the Horned frogs, Tech has played the bottom feeders of the Big 12 and a non conference schedule most teams should have swept through. The Sooners present Techs first quality opponent of the year and its in Norman.
Tech brings in the #1 passing offense in the Big 12 averaging 416 yards a game. Oklahoma counters with the Big 12 leading pass defense giving up only 150 yards per game. The rushing stats are flipped. Oklahoma is second in the league rushing gaining 228 yards per game while Tech is 3rd in the conference at run defense allowing only 123 per game. the Red Raiders score 41 points per game and allow 18, the Sooners score 30 and allow 17. Overall Oklahoma leads the Big 12 in total defense allowing 293 yard per game, Texas Tech is second in the conference in total offense gaining over 548 yards a game. Ironically, Texas Tech is 5th in total defense and the Sooners are 5th in total offense.
The edge for the game should go to Oklahoma, especially playing at home where Bob Stoops coached teams don't often lose. If the Sooners have a glaring weakness its the inconsistent offense. If Blake Bell has a good game OU should win comfortably. If not, well it could be a long day in Norman. For Tech, the biggest question is how they will play against the strongest opponent they have faced all year. The Sooner defense has the potential to force teams to second question their ability.
Oklahoma can not afford to let Tech start fast like they did Texas and Kansas. They must cover well enough in the secondary to allow the defensive ends to apply significant pressure on the quarterback and not allow him to set and throw. Defensively, the Sooners need a start like the Notre Dame game. A forced turnover or a quick defensive score will set a tone that will be difficult for Tech to recover from mentally. OU must also keep the pressure up all game. Tech has the ability to come back in the second half. The Sooners must also get the run game going early and often. Oklahoma must wear out the Tech defense and keep the Red Raiders offense cold and watching from the sidelines.
This game will hinge on the team that has the most energy after the first few series. Oklahoma must defeat Texas Tech mentally to win the game. For Tech, a win in Norman gives them credibility and could propel them to at least a share of the Big 12 Championship. A win for the Sooners and only Baylor stands between them and a share of their 9th Big 12 championship.
The Sooners are favored by 8, in part because of the lack of power in Techs schedule and the game being played in Norman. I am not sure the Sooners will cover but they should win the game. Tech will score but they won't get near their average of 40. If the Sooners can't get their offense rolling, they will find themselves in a defensive battle. That's not a bad thing for OU.
CMan's prediction: OU wins 27-20
Buster's bet: OU wins 38-34
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