Texas Tech @ Oklahoma preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 21, 2009 ) Oklahoma 13, Texas Tech 41

Three weeks ago, Oklahoma was the No. 1 team in the BCS. Now, the Sooners aren’t even No. 1 in their own division.

Oklahoma will look to right the ship when Big 12 South rival Texas Tech visits Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

The Sooners (7-2, 3-2 Big 12) have lost two of three and now trail Oklahoma State by one game in the South Division. In last week’s loss to Texas A&M, Oklahoma gave up a safety on an errant snap on the game’s first play and a kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half. The Sooners failed to score on fourth-and-1 from the Aggie 1-yard line three times and were held to a season-low 19 points.

But road struggles are nothing new for Bob Stoops’ teams of late. The Sooners are just 9-7 on the road since 2007. At home, however, the Sooners have been deadly. Oklahoma owns the nation’s longest active home winning streak at 35 and is 22-2 after a loss under Stoops.

Tommy Tuberville’s up-and-down Red Raiders (5-4, 3-4 Big 12) arrive in Norman off an impressive come-from-behind win over Missouri. Texas Tech overcame a 17-3 deficit behind the hot arm of quarterback Taylor Potts, who came off the bench for the first time this season to lead the rally.

Tuberville gave back-up Steven Sheffield the start against Missouri, but eventually turned to Potts when Sheffield struggled. Potts delivered with three touchdown passes in the upset of the Tigers. Potts is expected to start Saturday against the Sooners, who are ranked 94th in pass defense.

Texas Tech hammered Oklahoma 41-13 in Lubbock last season, the Sooners worst loss in Stoops’ 12 seasons. If the Sooners are to avenge that embarrassment, they’ll need to find some consistency on offense and rectify their fourth-quarter struggles.

Oklahoma is 10th in the Big 12 in rushing at 139.8 yards per game. The lack of a consistent running game has showed in both of its losses to A&M and Missouri. The Sooners also have been outscored 81-32 in the fourth quarter this season.

Oklahoma is banged-up along its defensive line. Starting defensive tackle Casey Walker has been ruled out and defensive tackle Daniel Noble is questionable.

Texas Tech is hoping starting cornerback D.J. Johnson can return. He missed last week with a hamstring issue, but is listed as probable. Starting wide receiver Alex Torres has been lost for the season due to a knee injury.