1. Must Win Game
Texas Tech has lost 15 consecutive games against Big 12 teams not named Kansas or Iowa State. The program hasn't beat a Power Five opponent with a winning record since the 2013 Holiday Bowl. Red Raider fans haven't seen a win over a ranked team at Jones Stadium since the Thursday night win over TCU in 2013.
Those ugly streaks all go away with a win Saturday against a talented and well-coached, but beatable, Oklahoma State team.
The Pokes are ranked No. 12 in the latest AP Top 25 and, at 7-0, are off to their best start since 2011. Mike Gundy's team leads the Big 12 in scoring defense (18.9) and has only allowed more than 27 points once (Kansas State, 34) this season.
Ironically enough, Saturday's game will also serve as a referendum of sorts on Oklahoma State. Narrow escapes against Texas (30-27) and Kansas State (36-34) coupled with a weak early schedule have many doubting the Pokes' bona fides. Much like Texas Tech, Oklahoma State has yet to beat a team with a winning record.
But back to the Red Raiders...
This isn't an "or else" game for Texas Tech. There obviously won't be any significant consequences if the team loses on Saturday. No one is going to tear up their season tickets or burn Kliff Kingsbury in effigy if the Pokes leave Lubbock with a win (again).
But it's still a must win game.
The coach needs a win to prove his team can beat good conference opponents. The team needs a win to show that it can finish a game against a good team. The fans need a win because it's been far too long since they experienced a meaningful victory at Jones Stadium.
2. Fighting Through It
I'm not at all worried about Pat Mahomes at this point. He's in the middle of a bit of a slump, which is far from unique among quarterbacks.
Graham Harrell threw five interceptions in back-to-back blowout losses to Missouri and winless Colorado in 2006. The following season, during his record-setting junior campaign, Harrell threw eight interceptions against the same teams.
Harrell was always able to bounce back. He threw six touchdowns in a bounce-back effort against Iowa State in 2006 and lit up Baylor to end that two-game skid in 2007.
We've seen Mahomes shake off losses before -- both last season and this year -- and I don't doubt that he'll return to form soon.
3. Mighty Morphin Power Rankings
1. Baylor (1) -- We'll see if the Bears can keep the top spot after losing Seth Russell.
2. TCU (2) -- Frogs probably won't be challenged by West Virginia on Thursday, but the team's game against Oklahoma State in a week and a half looms pretty large.
3. Oklahoma State (3) -- I was tempted to put Oklahoma here, but being undefeated has to count for something.
4. Oklahoma (4) -- It's tempting to say that the Sooners are rounding into form, but let's wait and see them put up big offensive numbers against a team with a decent defense.
5. Texas Tech (5) -- Hanging on by a thread.
6. Texas (6) -- Longhorns look to be on track to make a bowl game after awful start to the season.
7. West Virginia (7) -- Do the 'Eers have any quit in them?
8. Kansas State (8) -- Huge, huge, huge problem if the Red Raiders can't beat this team in November. The Wildcats continue to lose bodies to injury and they have the worst quarterback situation in the league by far.
9. Iowa State (9) -- Bye, Mark.
10. Kansas (10) -- Still terrible.
4. Last Time Out
5. Scattershots
Who do you have winning the 2016 NBA Finals?
7. Confession Time
I would much rather watch a sporting event on television than see it live in a stadium. Not even close.
8. Number to Know
10 -- Texas Tech had its 10-game streak of scoring 30 points or more snapped last week against Oklahoma.
9. Prediction for Saturday
TEXAS TECH 44, Oklahoma State 41
10. And Finally...
Less than four days until the Red Raiders take on the Pokes.
Texas Tech has lost 15 consecutive games against Big 12 teams not named Kansas or Iowa State. The program hasn't beat a Power Five opponent with a winning record since the 2013 Holiday Bowl. Red Raider fans haven't seen a win over a ranked team at Jones Stadium since the Thursday night win over TCU in 2013.
Those ugly streaks all go away with a win Saturday against a talented and well-coached, but beatable, Oklahoma State team.
The Pokes are ranked No. 12 in the latest AP Top 25 and, at 7-0, are off to their best start since 2011. Mike Gundy's team leads the Big 12 in scoring defense (18.9) and has only allowed more than 27 points once (Kansas State, 34) this season.
Ironically enough, Saturday's game will also serve as a referendum of sorts on Oklahoma State. Narrow escapes against Texas (30-27) and Kansas State (36-34) coupled with a weak early schedule have many doubting the Pokes' bona fides. Much like Texas Tech, Oklahoma State has yet to beat a team with a winning record.
But back to the Red Raiders...
This isn't an "or else" game for Texas Tech. There obviously won't be any significant consequences if the team loses on Saturday. No one is going to tear up their season tickets or burn Kliff Kingsbury in effigy if the Pokes leave Lubbock with a win (again).
But it's still a must win game.
The coach needs a win to prove his team can beat good conference opponents. The team needs a win to show that it can finish a game against a good team. The fans need a win because it's been far too long since they experienced a meaningful victory at Jones Stadium.
2. Fighting Through It
I'm not at all worried about Pat Mahomes at this point. He's in the middle of a bit of a slump, which is far from unique among quarterbacks.
Graham Harrell threw five interceptions in back-to-back blowout losses to Missouri and winless Colorado in 2006. The following season, during his record-setting junior campaign, Harrell threw eight interceptions against the same teams.
Harrell was always able to bounce back. He threw six touchdowns in a bounce-back effort against Iowa State in 2006 and lit up Baylor to end that two-game skid in 2007.
We've seen Mahomes shake off losses before -- both last season and this year -- and I don't doubt that he'll return to form soon.
3. Mighty Morphin Power Rankings
1. Baylor (1) -- We'll see if the Bears can keep the top spot after losing Seth Russell.
2. TCU (2) -- Frogs probably won't be challenged by West Virginia on Thursday, but the team's game against Oklahoma State in a week and a half looms pretty large.
3. Oklahoma State (3) -- I was tempted to put Oklahoma here, but being undefeated has to count for something.
4. Oklahoma (4) -- It's tempting to say that the Sooners are rounding into form, but let's wait and see them put up big offensive numbers against a team with a decent defense.
5. Texas Tech (5) -- Hanging on by a thread.
6. Texas (6) -- Longhorns look to be on track to make a bowl game after awful start to the season.
7. West Virginia (7) -- Do the 'Eers have any quit in them?
8. Kansas State (8) -- Huge, huge, huge problem if the Red Raiders can't beat this team in November. The Wildcats continue to lose bodies to injury and they have the worst quarterback situation in the league by far.
9. Iowa State (9) -- Bye, Mark.
10. Kansas (10) -- Still terrible.
4. Last Time Out
5. Scattershots
- Texas Tech leads the FBS in plays of 10-plus yards (174), gains of 40-plus yards (22) and gains of 50-plus yards (12). The team is second nationally in plays of 20-plus yards (58) and 30-plus yards (34).
- The Red Raiders are last in the FBS in allowing plays of 10-plus yards (150). They are last or tied for last in the Big 12 in plays of 10-plus, 20-plus, 30-plus, 40-plus, 50-plus, 60-plus, 70-plus, 80-plus and 90-plus yards. Yikes.
- Texas Tech has scored 49 touchdowns through eight games this season. Last year, the team scored a total of 49 touchdowns.
- The Red Raiders are seventh in the Big 12 in penalties per game (7.3) but fourth in penalty yards per game (61.1).
- Texas Tech is tied for fourth in overall turnover margin (plus-4) and second in takeaways (17).
- Pat Mahomes leads the Big 12 in attempts (347), completions (222) and passing yards (2,851). He leads the league in total offense (3,132).
- Mahomes is now 7-4-1 against the spread as a starter. The four losses were last year's Texas game and the 2015 Kansas, Baylor and Oklahoma games.
- The Red Raiders are now 2-1 when wearing black helmets, white jerseys and black pants under Kingsbury.
Who do you have winning the 2016 NBA Finals?
7. Confession Time
I would much rather watch a sporting event on television than see it live in a stadium. Not even close.
8. Number to Know
10 -- Texas Tech had its 10-game streak of scoring 30 points or more snapped last week against Oklahoma.
9. Prediction for Saturday
TEXAS TECH 44, Oklahoma State 41
10. And Finally...
Less than four days until the Red Raiders take on the Pokes.
