No. 2 Texas Tech at No. 5 Oklahoma (Minus 7)

Oklahoma leads the series 11-4 and is 6-1 in Norman. However, Texas Tech won the last meeting 34-27 in 2007.

This is by far the best season the Red Raiders have had under the tutelage of Mike Leach. Texas Tech is three victories away from playing for its first national championship in football. However, Oklahoma is by far the highest of the three hurdles to get over.

As prolific as Texas Tech’s offense is –433.7 passing yards and 47.9 points per game– Oklahoma is outscoring them by averaging 51.4 ppg. The Sooners will also be the most balanced team on offense that Texas Tech’s defense will face this season. Unlike Texas, Oklahoma has a legitimate running game with running backs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown combining for 1,586 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.

Texas Tech has been a blast to watch the past several seasons and I would love to see their wide-open offense play on January 8. However, I’m afraid Oklahoma will be too much for the Red Raiders to handle in Norman. Tech’s poor punting game –ranked 117th in the nation– and inexperienced field goal kicker could cost them this game.

Oklahoma 45, Texas Tech 42


Random Notes
Texas Tech
The Good
Texas Tech leads the nation averaging 433.7 passing yards per game.
Averaging 566.3 yards a game the Red Raiders lead the Big 12 and are second in the nation in total offense.
Texas Tech leads the Big 12 and is second in the nation by only giving up five sacks this season.
The Red Raiders average 47.9 points per game which ranks them third in the country and second in the Big 12.
Texas Tech has a plus-10 turnover margin.
The Red Raiders’ defense has recorded 26 sacks.
Texas Tech is holing opponents to 107.4 rushing yards a game.
Graham Harrell leads the nation in total offense averaging 407.2 yards per game.
Darcel McBath is tied for first in the country and leads the Big 12 averaging 0.6 interceptions a game.
Michael Crabtree is second in the nation averaging 10.8 points per game.

The Bad
Texas Tech ranks 117th out of 119 teams in net punting (30.2 yards a punt).
The defense ranks 99th in tackles for loss.
They Red Raiders allow 244 yards a game through the air ranking them 98th in the nation in pass defense.

Oklahoma
The Good
Sam Bradford leads the Big 12 and is second in the nation in passing efficiency.
DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown are third and fourth in the Big 12 in rushing yards.
Oklahoma leads the nation averaging 51.4 points per game.
The Sooners lead nation with a plus-16 turnover margin.
Averaging 355.5 passing yards a game Oklahoma ranks third in the nation and second in the Big 12.
Oklahoma is second in the Big 12 and fourth in the country averaging 549.8 yards of total offense a game.
The Sooner’s defense averages 3.4 sacks a game which ranks them second in the Big 12 and third in the nation.
Oklahoma leads the Big 12 and is ninth in the nation averaging 8 tackles for loss per game.
The offensive line has only allowed nine sacks this season.
The Sooners are second in the Big 12 averaging 194.3 rushing yards per game.
Although Oklahoma ranks 55th in total defense the Sooners lead the Big 12.
The Sooners’ defense is holding opponents to 107.5 rushing yards per game.

The Bad
Oklahoma ranks 93rd in pass defense (fourth in the Big 12).
The Sooners rank 93rd in net punting (33 yards a punt).


Players
Quarterback
Texas Tech- Graham Harrell 332/463 (.717), 4,077 yards, 36 TD, 5 INT

Oklahoma- Sam Bradford 224/330 (.679) 3,406 yards, 38 TD, 6 INT


Rushing
Texas Tech- Baron Batch 667 yards, 7.2 ypc, 5 TD
Texas Tech- Shannon Woods 588 yards, 5.1 ypc, 11 TD

Oklahoma- DeMarco Murray 804 yards, 5.5 ypc, 11 TD
Oklahoma- Chris Brown 782 yards, 6.1 ypc, 12 TD


Receiving
Texas Tech- Michael Crabtree 1,010 yards, 78 rec., 12.9 ypr, 18 TD
Texas Tech- Detron Lewis 730 yards, 57 rec., 12.8 ypr, 1 TD

Oklahoma- Juaquin Iglesias 853 yards, 51 rec., 16.7 ypr, 6 TD
Oklahoma- Manuel Johnson 587 yards, 34 rec., 17.3 ypr, 8 TD


Defense
Texas Tech- Brandon Williams leads the Big 12 with 10 sacks and leads the team with 11 tackles for loss.

Oklahoma- Travis Lewis leads the team with 105 tackles.


Team Stats
Texas Tech
Rushing- 132.6
Passing- 433.7
Total- 566.3
PF- 47.9
PA- 22.2

Oklahoma
Rushing- 194.3
Passing- 355.5
Total- 549.8
PF- 51.4
PA- 23.6