#9 Oklahoma State @ #2 Texas Tech football preview

You know it’s a bizarre world in the Big 12 Conference when your game of week features neither Texas nor Oklahoma.

But Saturday’s game between No. 2 Texas Tech and No. 8 Oklahoma St. at Lubbock’s Jones AT&T Stadium demonstrates the depth of the Big 12 South. Texas Tech is coming off an amazing 39-33 last-second victory over Texas. Oklahoma St. made believers of the nation for the game it played against Texas two weeks ago.

BCS, Big 12 South implications are featured in this classic matchup of great offenses and pretty fair defenses. There are too many conference tiebreakers involved and too many games remaining to be played so that topic can be shelved for another week.

This is really unusual territory for both programs. A year ago, Texas Tech fans were downright giddy that they even played in a New Year’s Day Bowl game. Oklahoma State fans were happy the Cowboys even made it to the bowl.

However, the season has shown how much these programs have grown since last year. Texas Tech expected to be in a BCS position. Oklahoma St. believed it was going to be a far better ballclub.

Now, this game is ABC’s primetime matchup.

These teams have also played some pretty good games against each other. Oklahoma St. has won three of the last five meetings including the thrilling 51-49 win last year in Stillwater, Okla.

Just about every game in the Big 12 has been an offensive show. So we start with Oklahoma St. and running back Kendall Hunter who leads the Big 12 in rushing with 1,220 yards and has rushed for at least 100 yards in seven of the first nine games.

Quarterback Zac Robinson has done a phenomenal job taking care of the football throwing only five interceptions in 187 attempts. He has already thrown for 2,082 yards. A little more than half of them have gone toward sophomore Dez Bryant, who is at 1,054 yards. And don’t forget bruising tight end Brandon Pettigrew.

Now, with Texas Tech, its starts with junior quarterback Graham Harrell who immediately thrust himself in to the Heisman Trophy race with his electrifying performance against Texas. He leads the nation with 3,621 yards and 30 TD passes. Michael Crabtree is at 921 receiving yards. His play on the touchdown reception that beat the Longhorns shows why he is the best wide receiver in college football.

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But the Red Raider offense is so much more effective because the running game has become a great compliment. Between Shannon Woods and Baron Batch, the two have combined for more than 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns. One aspect that was revealed in last week’s game against Texas is how impressive the Red Raider offensive line was.

So it really becomes a matter of which defense can make enough stops. Texas Tech’s defensive front did a pretty good job against the Texas running game. Oklahoma State’s group is surrendering 357 yards per game.

And with that, third down is the down that will make the difference. Oklahoma St. is converting at 47 percent of the time. That’s good for 21 st in the nation. Texas Tech is even better at 56 percent.

The only concern for the Texas Tech faithful is how well the Red Raiders handle the win over Texas and channel it Saturday. Chances are, they will.

Prediction: Texas Tech 38 - Oklahoma State 31

Notable

• Oklahoma State is looking for only the seventh season of at least nine wins in school history.
• Texas Tech is 11-2-3 all-time at home against Oklahoma St.
• Texas Tech is 5-0 in conference play for the first time since 1953 when it was in the Border Conference.

#8 Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-1, 4-1) @ #2 Texas Tech Red Raiders (9-0, 5-0)
Time: 7 p.m. CST
Site: Jones AT&T Stadium
TV: ABC
Series: 36th meeting. Texas Tech leads, 20-12-3

By Kevin Lonnquist
Big 12 Fans Staff Writer

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