Texas @ Texas Tech preview
Jones AT&T Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 5, 2011 ) Texas Tech 20, Texas 52
Although No. 20 Texas Tech hasn’t enjoyed much success historically against No. 22 Texas, the Red Raiders don’t have to look back too far to remember what happened the last time both schools entered this game as Top 25 teams. In 2008, then-No. 7 Texas Tech staged a dramatic rally and defeated top-ranked Texas when Michael Crabtree scored with one second remaining for a 39-33 victory in one of the more memorable moments in recent college football history. While Saturday’s game lacks the high stakes of aforementioned meeting, it is pivotal for both teams coming off disappointing games that are trying to remain in the Big 12 race. Texas Tech looks to bounce back after suffering a 55-24 thrashing at Kansas State while Texas needed a late rally to hold off one-win Kansas 21-17 last weekend.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN2 LINE: Texas Tech -7.5
ABOUT TEXAS (6-2, 3-2 Big 12): The Longhorns’ defense is surrendering 218 yards rushing per game (108th in the country) while also sporting their worst marks in total (96th) and scoring defense (97th) – all of which would be the worst defensive rankings in the Mack Brown era. The last two are of particular concern against a Red Raiders' offense that ranks 11th in FBS in total offense and 12th in scoring. Brown announced this week that quarterback David Ash would remain the starter after he was pulled from the game following two interceptions against the Jayhawks.
ABOUT TEXAS TECH (6-2, 3-2): Under the tutelage of first-year defensive coordinator Art Kaufman, the Red Raiders’ defense – which ranked 102nd or worse in rushing and total defense last season – finds itself inside the top 30 in both categories this season. Seth Doege leads the nation with 30 touchdown passes and is one of seven quarterbacks in FBS completing at least 70 percent of his passes. With three six-touchdown games this season, Doege has only one fewer such game than the rest of the quarterbacks in the country combined.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Texas leads the all-time series 46-15 and is 11-2 in the last 13 meetings.
2. Texas Tech is seeking back-to-back home conference wins for the first time since 2009.
3. The Longhorns have been outscored by an average of 17.2 points during their nine-game losing streak against ranked opponents.
PREDICTION: Texas Tech 48, Texas 24