vs.

The Oklahoma Sooners (9-1, 5-1)
vs.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-0, 6-0)

Television:  ABC
Radio:  Texas Tech Affiliates
November 22, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m.
Weather:  Norman, Oklahoma

• Synopsis of the game:  No team goes up by more than a touchdown.  The defenses have their moments, but it's the offense that rules the day.  Lynwood is the hero.  Neither team can stop the running backs, while the Texas Tech defensive front four puts pressure on Bradford.
  
• Offensive MVP:  Baron Batch
  
• Defensive MVP:  Brandon Williams
  
• Final Score:  Texas Tech 45, Oklahoma 42

Double-T Nation News:

I wanted to mention that I frequently post to various writers' picks and I think that they are interesting, but really mean very little in the grand scheme of things. Many of the LAJ staff picked Oklahoma and personally, I've got no problem with that because if that's how they see the game play out, that's fine. This isn' about loyalty, it's about honesty. Last year I picked OU to beat Texas Tech and it obviously had no bearing on the outcome of the game. Me picking against my school wasn't a reflection of how I felt about my team, but rather a reflection of what I thought would happen.

A couple of things from last night, check out Michael Crabtree's interview with Michael Irvin and my Q&A with Crimson and Cream Machine.

For those of you who don't have jobs or are in school, former Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury and OU quarterback Jason White will appear on ESPN2's First Take today at 10:00 a.m.

Texas Tech Football:

LAJ's Don Williams writes that the Heisman Trophy race could hinge on Saturday night's winner. Coach Leach talked about what receiver Michael Crabtree could do on the field and comparing him to NFL greats:

"A lot of what Michael Irvin did was power," Leach said. "Jerry Rice had a combination of both. And Crab’s got some power, too, no question. But Michael Irvin, to me, I think of intensity and power. Jerry Rice, I think of sense of space, right place right time a lot."

And Seth Littrell talked about quarterback Graham Harrell and how he is going through his progressions:

"He may stick on one a little bit longer that he might have got off of earlier the last couple of years, due to experience and due to the offensive line protecting him well," Littrell said. "He’s getting to his fifth read with the backs a lot better than he ever has."

In Williams' Red Raiders Football Notebook, L.A. Reed will get the second start of his career against Oklahoma, per secondary coach Brian Mitchell:

"It’s starting to click," Mitchell said. "He’s getting a lot of reps, and now those reps are becoming meaningful, because he understands what we’re trying to do within the scheme and he understands how the scheme is going to attack what they’re trying to do."

Also of note, Brandon Sesay is on the travel squad, and missed the Oklahoma State game for unspecified violation of team rules. LAJ's Adam Zuvanich also talks about OU's no-huddle offense and how efficient they have become because of it.

FWST's Mike Jones writes that Gerald McCoy will be trying to get his hands up and in passing lanes against Graham Harrell:

"The most important thing for a defensive lineman to remember [against Tech] is to get your hands up," said McCoy, the Sooners’ 6-foot-4 defensive anchor. "They say Graham Harrell is 6-3. I’ve seen Graham Harrell. He’s not 6-3. So you’ve got to get your hands up and get in the window when he’s throwing those quick passes."

And FWST's Jimmy Burch writes that all eyes will be in Norman on Saturday night, as this has huge implications for the Big 12 South and national championship. Texas coach Mack Brown has it right:

"I pulled really hard for OU the time they played Kansas State [in the 2003 Big 12 Championship Game]," Brown said. "If they had won, that would have sent us to the Fiesta Bowl. But they lost and I realized that, with me being a fan, it really doesn’t matter in the outcome of the game. So I will sit back Saturday and watch. It will be fun."

DMN's Brandon George profiles receiver Detron Lewis and Graham Harrell comments on Lewis:

"He's an unbelievably talented player," Tech senior quarterback Graham Harrell said. "He's a young kid who is still learning, still improving and that's the exciting thing. He's going to be a huge part of the success at Texas Tech for years to come."

And Captain Leach and Lewis talk about Lewis' game:

Leach says Lewis is "more elusive than fast" and has added about 10 pounds since last season. He calls Lewis a "smooth" player.

"I guess he means because I get in and out of my routes real smoothly instead of hesitating or getting caught up," Lewis explained. "I feel like I run my routes real smooth."

DMN's George and Chuck Carlton with a notebook on OU and Texas Tech items.

ESPN Big 12 blogger Tim Griffin wrote yesterday that it is Texas Tech recent success that is carrying this program, in particular the possible beginning of this streak, being Taurean Henderson's 2005 touchdown run:

"That was a huge play for this program," Tech running backs coach Seth Littrell said. "It gave us a lot of confidence that we could play with anybody. And if you can beat those guys, you've got a chance to be really special."

Kate Meriwether from Big 12 conference website profiles the Charbonnet brothers, Daniel and Taylor. The article focuses quite a bit on Taylor, the forgotten Charbonnet this season, but it should be noted that Taylor may be this teams' best special teams player. Good stuff.

RRS.com's Joe Yeager asks if the Sooners actually are invincible in Norman:

The fact that has everybody all shook up is Oklahoma’s 59-2 home record during Bob Stoops’ tenure. That mark is the best in college football during the ten-year span in question. And it is no doubt impressive. But upon closer inspection, a bit of that record’s luster fades and concomitantly, Tech’s hopes wax a mite.

To begin with, the Sooners have faced only two top-ten teams at home during the Stoops era, and one top-five unit. The top-five team was No. 1 Nebraska whom OU dispatched 31-14 back in 2000. The only other elite team to venture into Norman during this period was No. 9 Iowa State in 2002. The Sooners won that one 49-3.

Thus, the fine folk of greater Oklahoma City have not seen a visiting top-ten football team in six football seasons.

This is a good article, take the time to read this.

Neglected Video: KAMC interview with Barry Switzer, Part I . . . and Part II . . . KAMC talks with running backs coach Seth Littrell . . .

Writer Predictions: Phil Steele picks OU . . . Heisman Pundit picks Texas Tech . . . DMN's Chuck Carlton picks OU by 12 . . . ESPN Big 12 blogger Tim Griffin picks OU by 3 . . .

Texas Tech Basketball:

The Texas Tech Red Raiders absolutely smashed the East Central Tigers, 167-115 (boxscore). Yes, that's right, 167 points . . . not a typo. Here's the ESPN boxscore, which I find a little easier to read. LAJ's Jeff Walker recaps the game and notes the various numbers in the game. Perhaps even more telling is Walker's blog post in his blog Above the Rim:

I can’t see how this game helps Tech (or any team in Tech’s position). Tonight was proof.

This was nothing more than a scrimmage, two games into the season. Perhaps this will build the team’s confidence, as head coach Pat Knight said after the game. I think a double-digit win over another Southland Conference opponent — like the one against Sam Houston the other night — serves as a better teaching tool than this. Remember, in a week the Red Raiders will be facing one of the top teams in the country in No. 6 Pittsburgh. Does this get them ready for that? I don’t blame the coaches. They don’t choose who gets put in this field. Pre-conference tournaments are struggling, not just with the economy, but with teams’ asking prices rising.

DT's Alex Ybarra also recapped last night's win and had this from Junior Knight:

"Guys got minutes, guys got shots up. It was a good experience," Knight said. "For me, it's just another day of working basketball. We worked on some things that helped us."

Snip

"It was good practice for us from that standpoint, pushing it up, pushing it up, trying to make decisions on the run," Knight said. "So from an offensive standpoint, I thought it was a good practice for us. Number two, I finally know what Bill Self felt like last year when we played them in Lawrence."

Ha!

Thanks to Crimson and Cream Machine for taking the time to answer some questions regarding Saturday's game.

With the numerous losses at defensive end, how do you see the Sooners adjusting their scheme, or do you not see any adjustments, and why?

The silver lining in the injuries is that they happened at a position where Oklahoma is very deep at. I don’t expect the scheme to change at all because you’ll have Jeremy Beal, who is only a sophomore but has starting and big game experience. In last year’s Big 12 championship game he recorded six tackles and a sack. On the other side you’ll see freshman Frank Alexander who is a playmaker as well. When he entered the Nebraska game, in place of Auston English, he recorded a sack and a forced fumble on consecutive series’. So Oklahoma still has play making ability at the defensive end position but I don’t expect the pass rush against Tech to come off the ends. With the quick passes that the Red Raiders throw the quickest way to Harrell is going to be right up the middle which would make Gerald McCoy and DeMarcus Granger the big players in this game and not necessarily the ends.

For those fans who have not watched many OU games, talk a little bit about each of the receivers and what they bring to the offense: Iglesias, Johnson, Gresham and Broyles.

They are all explosive! Iglesias and Johnson are the "go to" receivers and while they lack prototypical size (they are both listed at 6-0) they have blazing speed and great hands. They us a lot of slant and post plays to get open as well as screens and they are both very elusive with the ball.

Ryan Broyles is the x-factor. He typically lines up in the slot and is possibly Oklahoma’s best receiver when it comes to running with the ball in his hands. He also returns and has been very effective in that area.

Jermaine Gresham leads the team in receiving touchdowns with 9. At 6-6, 261 he is a beast to cover. He is too fast for a linebacker to cover and too big for a defensive back so he is a nightmare for opposing defenses once the Sooners get inside the red zone.

Quentin Chaney is another player to watch for. He is a very good possession receiver and leads the team in yards per receptions with 18.6 yards per catch.

OU has struggled a bit on special teams, particularly kickoff coverage and field goal kicking (you guys should have a contest for free rent) can we expect more of the same, or are there changes on the horizon?

Oklahoma’s special teams haven’t been that special at all this season (unless we’re talking ride the short bus special). They fact is that they’ve struggled a lot when it comes to kickoff coverage and place kicking. Even with changing out personnel opponents are still running back kickoffs for huge chunks of yards.

I attribute both to the kickers. Jimmy Stevens is the place kicker and has missed 3 of his 7 field goal attempts and 4 of his 72 extra points. Matt Moreland handles the kickoffs and only has 13 touchbacks on the season.

When you kickoff an average of 7 times a game then someone is eventually going to break a long return on you and when you attempt about the same amount of PATs per game then something could always go wrong and you’re going to miss one or two per season. The problem is that they are both freshmen and these breakdowns are happening too frequently.

What's been the biggest adjustment or development in Bradford's game from last year to this year?

At 6-4, 218 and with a rocket arm Bradford has had the physical tools from day one to be a great quarterback. Where he has progressed this year is in the same area that Harrell has which is his poise. He isn’t rushing to pull the trigger and is trusting his line for protection which has greatly cut down on errant throws. Three of his six interceptions were balls that had been first tipped by the receiver, meaning that Bradford put the ball where it needed to be.

Oklahoma wins because . . .

They will score more points? I know that sounds crazy and even a little silly but this will be a game where you play for stops. Neither team is going to be able to shut the other one down so the goal is to try and force four or five stops and make Tech play from behind.

It will be a cold and windy night in Norman and that could have a result on the passing game for both teams. That means balance becomes a key factor and I view the Sooners as the most balanced of the two.

Oklahoma has outscored their opponents 201-27 in the first quarter and 355-123 in the first half this season. If they play their game they should be playing with a lead in the first half and that gives them the opportunity to control the tempo of the game. Oklahoma is going to hit Tech with a balanced attack which will lead to time consuming drives much like Nebraska did but with a higher powered offense. That means every Tech possession will count and there will be no room for turnovers and OU will only need four or five stops to win.

I'm not a huge fan of Irvin on the radio, but it's Mr. Crabtree (hat-tip to TT4EVER).

vs.

The Numbers:

So . . . East Central University, in Ada, Oklahoma, has no current statistics and other than having a website, I haven't been able to find a thing about them. If this game isn't an absolute blowout, then I will be at a complete loss. Please note that there's no television for this game and for the next game, but that's probably a good thing as I may need to direct my attention elsewhere. East Central's starters are based on the alumni game they held earlier this week. I know what you're saying and it's true. It's sad that I took the time to do this, but this is my gift to you.

No Keys to the Game, just win.

Probable Starting Lineups:

GO RAIDERS . . .

*Stats can be found at Ken Pomeroy: K.P. Rank = the Ken Pomeroy Rank; Offensive Efficiency = the national rank in terms of points scored per 100 possessions; Defensive Efficiency = the national rank in terms of points allowed per 100 possession. Numbers in parentheses are national rank.

Reason #1: Bradford Bombs

This is a pretty amazing statistic. Of Oklahoma's 360 pass attempts, 42 of those completions have gone for 25+ yards. Now that doesn't sound too impressive, but when you consider the usual Big 12 suspects, that's by far and away the head of the class: Texas Tech - 34, Missouri - 32, Kansas 32, Texas - 30 and Oklahoma State - 24. This may be the biggest reason for fear on my part, is Bradford's propensity to complete long passes and Texas Tech's sometimes problem with allowing them. There is no one better in the conference at connecting down the field than Oklahoma's quarterback Sam Bradford and we've all witnessed how easy it is to get back in the game with a couple of ong throws to a talented receiver, albeit a freshman receiver.

Reason #2: Consistently Making Plays

I think some credit needs to go to OU's defense. They've been a little maligned for their lack of ability to stop opponents, but they are doing one thing that I've always thought is incredibly important, which is make plays. Currently, Oklahoma is first in turnover margin at 1.6 and tied with Texas Tech with 24 forced turnovers. The Sooners are 2nd in the conference in sacks (34.0), 2nd in tackles for loss (80.0), 3rd in interceptions (13) and 3rd in forced fumbles. That's one hell of a play-making group and that's in spite of a number of injuries along their front line. I think it's awfully lofty to expect a number of turnovers on either team in this game, but OU has consistently put itself in position to make plays and be opportunisic enough to create turnovers all year long.

Reason #3: This Is A New Spotlight

Texas Tech has been in big games, but not quite like this. This has been once in a lifetime for me and once in a lifetime for a number of these players, coaches, administrative staff and anyone else associated with the program. That's a little bit of pressure for a grown individual, but that's a lot of pressure for 18 to 21 year old football players who may not have the same idea of history, and mediocre seasons, and how a single win over an opponent can change all of that. It's a delicate balance for Leach to handle as it's probably important to demonstrate the magnitude of the game, without feeling like you're Atlas with the world on your shoulders.

Reason #4: Sustained Running Game

Oklahoma is not going to give up in the running game. Oklahoma State ran the ball 34 times and Texas ran the ball 28 times, again, with varying success, however Oklahoma will not go quietly simply passing the ball. I think it's well known that OU's worst game rushing the ball was against TCU where OU only managed 25, but the key here is that there was 36 attempts. I realize that this is not encouraging news for Sooner fans, but the thing that is perhaps the most impressive is that OU continued to run the ball. A couple of games after TCU, the Sooners only managed 48 yards on 26 carries, but since then, OU has rushed the ball with quite a bit of success: (Kansas) 44-206; (Kansas St.) 45-273; (Nebraska) 40-193; and (Texas A&M) 38-328. Oklahoma is committed to running the ball and I'm thinking that you can expect 40 carries on Saturday night.

Reason #5: Third Downs

Texas Tech is first in the Big 12 at converting third downs at 57.81%, but Oklahoma is at a conference best 30.14% in stopping opponents at converting third downs. Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma State were also very good at stopping third downs, and they had very little success, however, only the Kansas game was on the road, while Texas and Oklahoma State were both on at home. I've maintained all year that this team is completely unaffected by whatever happens on the field, but I'm admittedly worried about getting down if there are successive three-and-outs, while OU is able to put points on the board.  I would not be surprised to see the crowd, playing on the road, and a slightly unfamiliar situation cause Texas Tech to convert those third downs we've become accustomed to watching.

Related: 5 Reasons Texas Tech Will Win: Oklahoma Edition.

Double-T Nation News:

Same thing as yesterday, a ton of stuff to get to, I'm not sure I'll have time to link to everything, but I'll try. Help me, help you in FanPost.

Dr. Saturday's Matt Hinton and EDSBS's Spencer Hall have similar reactions to the news snippet from yesterday's FanShot from GoVolsXtra's Mike Griffith on why Captain Leach would not be a good fit at Tennessee:

Mike Leach still has his name thrown around, but I don't see it. No one is going to come into the SEC and win with Xs and Os - it takes talent, not gadgets.

And, I just don't see Leach (47) being able to handle the level of scrutiny that comes with the UT head football coach job. It's a regal position - hardly a post for someone with erratic and eccentric personality traits.

Flags Over Raiderland's video game simluation of the Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma game

Texas Tech Football:

LAJ's Don Williams writes about Texas Tech is receiving unparalleled attention, with mentions of all of the media outlets wanting a piece of this Red Raiders football team. Meanwhile, Adam Zuvanich writes that OU can be dominating at home, while Stoops calls for a more rowdy crowd. Williams' Red Raiders Football Notebook mentions the school meeting the stadium funding requirement and the Texas Tech Alumni Association and the Red Raider Club are planning a pre-game party in Norman, so if you need a place to congregate, this might be a start. See the article for details.

ESPN Big 12 blogger Tim Griffin writes about the improved running game for Texas Tech. Here's a bit on Shannon Woods working back from the doghouse:

"You could see he was ready to come back," Littrell said. "He really came on with our scout team last year and probably could have played with us but we didn't want to take his redshirt off late in the season. There wasn't much doubt he would come back, but he came back stronger than we would have ever thought after what he went through."

Woods battled his way in and out of Leach's doghouse last season after a strong sophomore season in 2006. He went from leading the Big 12 in all-purpose yards to being benched for the final four regular-season games last season. Additionally, Woods was sent home from the Gator Bowl because on an undisclosed violation of team rules late last season.

"It was hard, there ain't no lying about it," Woods told reporters earlier in the season. "It was tough to play and then not to be able to. That was hard. But I'm happy with myself. I stuck with it."

Also from Griffin, the Sooners are wanting to turn around their defense against Texas Tech, which includes this gem from Gerald McCoy:

When told that Texas Tech's 323-pound-per-man offensive line is the biggest in college football, Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy didn't seem overly worried or concerned.

The challenge of checking the mammoth Red Raider offensive front prompted a matter-of-fact response brimming with confidence from McCoy.

"They've got a big line, so what?" McCoy said. "We've got to go out and play. We're not worried about their size. They are good, but we're not intimidated by that."

Later, McCoy threw out some free-association terms of what he feels that would best describe the Oklahoma defense, including descriptions such as tough, brutal, hard and strong.

Another adjective could have been thrown out as well, although McCoy probably would never do it. How about "unSoonerlike?"

Who's ready for Saturday?

Very cool story from FWST's Dwain Price on Lonnie "Primo" McCurry, an offensive guard and nose guard for Texas Tech from 1938-1940. McCurry gave the team the pep talk before the Texas game and here's McCurry on the Oklahoma game:

"The Red Raiders are capable of beating anybody, but they’ve got to play at Oklahoma," McCurry said. "It might be a blowout one way or the other.

"I just know Tech scored touchdowns in seven straight possessions against Oklahoma State, so they’ve got to have something. I’ve never heard of that before."

When you visit Price's story there's a picture of McCurry in his uniform and the following picture was rendered by a reader from UniWatch a couple of years ago:

And just in case you're wondering, I think these might be the most awesome uniforms ever and if someone ever wanted to give me a Christmas gift . . .

FWST's Jimmy Burch writes about the Texas Tech secondary being confident they can play with Oklahoma. Pretty good stuff here:

How does Tech’s secondary match OU’s receivers?

"Good, I hope," Leach said. "We’ll find out. They’re really good receivers, no question. But I feel good about our secondary guys, also."

So do rival Big 12 coaches. Kansas State coach Ron Prince cited McBath as the lynchpin of a unit that is "not only good, but flawless from an execution standpoint." Kansas coach Mark Mangino said Tech’s defensive backs are "very athletic," which allows them to be more aggressive than other secondaries.

"They’re quick in attacking the ball and good, open-field tacklers," Mangino said. They also have a point to prove against an OU passing game that McBath said is capable of going "80 yards on one play, just like the previous three or four teams we’ve played in the Big 12."

I'm not sure what FWST's Jennifer Floyd-Engel is doing writing about college sports, but she proclaims today as Ruffin McNeill Day because although Muschamp is receiving all of the press for his coach-in-waiting status, McNeill is the one that deserves the parade:

Yes, Muschamp has turned one of the most highly rated pools of defensive talent into a kick-butt defense. McNeill has achieved the same result with players whom nobody thought too highly of when this season began. I specifically remember a few of my brethren giggling in print at the idea of Tech suddenly playing high-qualify defense and dismissing any chance of Tech winning the South as a result.

DMN's Chuck Carlton writes about the job that Mike Leach did at Oklahoma and the first time defensive coordinator Brent Venables met Captain Leach and the OU offense vs. the OU defense:

"I remember he put 700, 800 yards on us, and how stressed Mike Stoops and I were trying to defend it," Venables said this week. "I just remember both of us were ... in a deep, deep state of depression in the locker room afterwards."

Was it really that bad?

"Horrific," he said.

DMN's Brandon George and Chuck Carlton have a number of notebook items as well.

Texas Tech Basketball:

LAJ's Jeff Walker with news on honoring a couple of Lubbock greats, Gerald Myers and Craig Ehlo, as well as a little bit on the East Central Tigers. I'll have a preview and open game day thread go up later this afternoon, although the game will not be on television. DT's Alex Ybarra writes that Texas Tech guard Nick Okorie will receive more attention because of his stellar play thus far. Ybarra also notes that the Red Raiders are not looking past East Central:

"We respect every opponent," Tech forward Darko Cohadarevic said. "We have a scouting report on (East Central) the same as we gonna have against the University of Texas or Kansas. That's the great deal, you cannot underestimate anybody, like all the time every year you're gonna have some surprises in college basketball, and we don't want that thing to happen to us."