Prediction Time: Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma

by Seth C on Nov 21, 2008 7:00 AM CST Comment 39 comments

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

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Well,

here goes nothing…

This will probably be an interesting game for a casual observer, but will probably drive fans of either team nuts. Tech can’t and won’t stop OU…OU can’t and won’t stop Tech. Both teams can put up 65 on an opponent in a blink, and the rosters are full of top quality players on both side. But either team CAN stop themselves.

After four games of near flawless execution, I think Tech stops themselves in this one. Why? For the simple reason that I think the odds are in favor of us having a semi-down game. And don’t misinterpret that. I think Tech will play a great game but to beat OU at OU, you have to be perfect. So by semi-down game what I mean is I think it takes Graham a few series to get his rythm with the WRs. In this game, those lost series at the beginning of the game will be the difference.

I love our defensive improvement this year. But let’s face it, our pass defense is one of the worst in the country and OU is kind of good at throwing it around. OUs pass defense is just as bad, that’s why OU won’t be able to totally pull away from Tech. But they will get far enough ahead at the beginning to make the difference. And I’m bummed…I hope I’m wrong…

Tech 45
OU 49

(and let the flaming begin!! Please, no stupid comments about how I have no faith, how I’m not a fan, how stupid I am, how the players read this and we need to be confident, etc. etc. Feel free to disagree with my leaning on this, but do it on the merits of a grown up argument, not personal stuff…)

by Tech92 on Nov 21, 2008 7:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Really??

Haven’t you been picking TTU to win every week? And hasn’t TTU won every week? Granted, I’m fairly superstitious, but really….?

by raider05 on Nov 21, 2008 8:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I have picked them every week…and I’m really pissed that I don’t have them winning this week. But my gut tells me if I was a gambler to go with OU, so in order to look smart to all you guys (which probably doesn’t work), I have to take my rooting interest out (well, I don’t have to, but I choose to) when I make a pick. Yeah, I just think this is the week that the big game changing break doesn’t go our way (Gideon’s dropped interception type of play).

by Tech92 on Nov 21, 2008 8:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah the superstittion got me too

i was glad that seth still picked tech to win, I was very interested to see what he would do.

regardless i think almost every single person in the country thinks this game is going to the mid 40’s and somebody will win by less than a score. a fine pick, way to go with your gut… now I go with mine. Texas Tech 49 – OU 42

by johnlaf13 on Nov 21, 2008 9:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

doubting thomas

by ST04 on Nov 21, 2008 10:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m having a hard time picking this one. In regards to pass defense, in conference play we are dead even with OU in yards/att allowed (7.1) while they are allowing ~ 34 more yards per game. Ironically, they only allow 56.4% completion rate. Which means they are giving up big plays.

OU plays very aggresively on defense. They study your game and try to break in on your routes (9 INTs in conference compared to our 6). The try to bring a lot of pressure with their defensive front. When they are successful at it, they get in their opponents heads and all hell breaks loose. But they are also playing russian rullet. Eventually they will shoot themselves.

I have been skeptical of the OU defense all year. I don’t think they are up to their usual standard, partly because they have lost some key personnel to injury.

I can’t argue with you about the possibility that Tech could have a bad game. There have been some miscues between Harrell and Hamby on the snap in the past coulple of games that have me worried. More than I worry about the rhythm between Harrell and his receivers.

Still mulling my prediction.

by NM99 on Nov 21, 2008 8:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Your Gut?

Take some Peto Bismol, you’ll feel better.

by faunchin on Nov 21, 2008 9:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

A not-so-firendly reminder about Stoops...

…as of late, Stoops can’t win the big ones. See Pat Forde’s story (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3715226&sportCat=ncf):

"Ever since (loss to Kansas in Big 12 championship), Stoops has stopped winning the big one at the same remarkable rate he had earlier. From that K-State game through today, Oklahoma is 4-8 against teams ranked in the top 15 of the Associated Press poll at the time. (And Stoops can thank God for Missouri, which has accounted for half his four victories.)

Five of the eight losses have come as a favorite. Three of them have come against Texas — the archrival that Stoops once owned but now has beaten just once in four years. Four of the losses have come in the Sooners’ past five bowl appearances. They’ve lost four straight BCS bowl games, all of them embarrassing in one way or another."

by RedRaider2x on Nov 21, 2008 8:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I read that article too.

I also want to add ONE thing that Big Game Bob’s HOME record fails to show; So he’s 59-2 at home. BUT, the UT game is always in Dallas and the big 12 champ game a neutral site as well. How is he at home games against top 10 competition? How has he fared against really good teams regardless of the situs? Folks, WE WERE UP ON THEM AT HALFTIME IN ‘06 and COULDN’T FINISH. These Red Raiders will. Don’t tell me OU finishes, because UT would have something contrary to say about that.

Who the hell has OU played this year? Chattanooga at home, Cincy at home, Washington?, They beat a quality TCU AT home.
I believe in these young Gentlemen on our team.

by Plano Jeff on Nov 21, 2008 11:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This team still improving!

Tech out plays OU on both sides of the ball. OU makes some big plays for touchdowns in the second half to make the score respectable.

OMVP — Harrell

DMVP — Dixon

TTU 48 OU 38

WRECK’EM TECH!

by faunchin on Nov 21, 2008 9:12 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

OU = OVERRATED

Here it goes.

OU finally meets a team that can play at their offensive pace. A pick and a couple of defensive stands result in OU trading FGs for TDs.

Offensive MVP – Britton

Defensive MVP – L.A. Reed (1st big start comes out playing big time)

TTU – 45, OU – 34

by NM99 on Nov 21, 2008 9:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t mean that OU is a bad team by any stretch, but I think they are more like a #10/11 team than a number 5 team.

by NM99 on Nov 21, 2008 9:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I had a dream...

before the Texas game. I was at a house and everybody was celebrating a victory. I was asking everyone “What was the score? What was the score?!” And then there it was – plain as day – 49-35 Texas Tech. It kind of scared me how that score was burned into my memory. I rarely remember details of dreams.

After that dream, I thought for sure it would be the score of the Texas game, but now that I think about it – it couldn’t have been. I attended that game and wouldn’t have been watching it at a house on TV. It HAD to be a road game, and an important one at that. So, based purely on that dream:

OMVP – Baron Batch/Shannon Woods (tie here – Batch keeps drives alive, Woods gets into the end zone)
DMVP – McKinner Dixon (he’s too nimble for OU’s OL)
Texas Tech 49
Oklahoma 35

by djollie111 on Nov 21, 2008 10:02 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

if you are right

drinks on me… and I am more than serious about that! But only when you dream about the Big XII championship and National Championship too!

by johnlaf13 on Nov 21, 2008 10:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It seems audacious, but only because we're not used to it.

Tech wins, 49-28.

Harrell throws 5 TDs —Crabtree has 2, Morris has 1, Britton has 1, and Batch has 1. Woods runs in 1, and Wall returns an INT for a TD. Williams is still perfect for PATs.

Seriously, Tech is this good.

I also had a dream that Kliff Kingsbury was playing for the Redskins and threw a game-winning touchdown to Santana Moss to beat the Giants. Weird.

by Jason Roberts on Nov 21, 2008 10:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

You cant spell Blowout w/o OU

Tech is going to come out hot barnstorming the sooners. I see Harrell doing the same thing he did last year, though not as many yards. Batch and Woods will get over 125 combined. Whitlock, Dixon, Henley, and Sesay, T-OFF on Bradford who will get rattled bc he is never hit. He will also have memories of last year when he didn’t know who or where he was.

OMVP: Harrell and Crabs Harrell throws for 400+ w/ 4 TD no INTS. Crabs gets over 100 yrds and 2 TD.
DMVP: Whitlock, Dixon, both pressure Bradford all day long and combine for 3 sacks. I also like the LA Reed pick here too I see him getting an INT or TWO.

Tech takes care of Businazzz 49-31 by shutting down OU in the 4th quarter to pull away.

by ST04 on Nov 21, 2008 10:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Too much hype for OU

Seriously folks, think about it…. Here we are at the sametime last year and OU had the same record looking to get into the National championship game. 2 things are different though…this game is @ Norman and Tech has not lost since the last meeting in the Jones. Tech has the longest winning streak in the NCAA we are the ones in control of the Big 12 south. These are virtually the same teams that played last year and we put up 34 on their supposed “great athleteic” defense and yet our offense is even better now. Also, sure they lost Sam but haven’t we all heard how great their run game is and yet we stopped it last year. They have the “best” offensive line in the NCAA but they couldn’t control the ball and beat us last year. Well guess who got better on the D-line, that would be Tech!
So bottom line here is that these are both good teams, but Tech is better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tech45 OU 35
OMVP- Batch/Crabtree
DMVP- Dixon/McBath
Wreck’em TECH!!!!!

by techgolf44 on Nov 21, 2008 10:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

It wont matter who's House we are at..

Game day Prediction TTU vs. OKu
OK U will be successful throwing the ball thru the first half (150 yards), running game not so much and they serve up 2 plus interceptions in the 2nd half.
TTU offense score on 4 straight possessions first half Ou has 2 ea 3 and outs in the same half.
OK defense will be torched for over 250 yards thru the air the first half and 200(+) yards on the ground (via tailbacks) in the second half.
2nd half Tech defense gets 2 more 3 and outs along with the 2 turnovers via interceptions.
Tech offense runs multiple screens, dives and shuttle passes. All while staying in bounds. This eats up 20 plus minutes while scoring the last 19 Tech points effectively halting a Sooner comeback effort.
Only intangible is who forces who to kick FG‘s vice punching it into the end zone. One defense scores take your pick they will both be fired up.
Raider’s coverage teams do an outstanding job all game long. Raiders return a punt 40 plus yards in the 2nd half.
Score end of 2nd quarter TTU 30 – OU 14
Score end of 2nd half TTU 49 – OU 34

by centexraider on Nov 21, 2008 10:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I've told you guys already

The notion that this is going to be a 3 point game is all wrong. Tech will win this game by 14 and shock everybody. Leach is bringing his A Game and the players are ready for this one. I would say our biys are better prepared for this one than Texas.

OMVP – Harrell
DMVP – Whitlock
Tech 38 OU 24
Score may seem lower but defenses will make the difference.

by Raider1992 on Nov 21, 2008 11:00 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Prediction:

Ballymeade Barnacles 6…….Three Forks Condors 3……in a shootout. I dreamed it in my head.

by ForestFlyer on Nov 21, 2008 11:12 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

This is our time

See-saw battle in the 1st quarter followed several significant defenseive stops. OU can’t stop this offense. It’s easy in the 4th quarter.

TTU – 51
OU – 35

OMVP – Harrell
DMVP – The secondary

by WNFaulkner on Nov 21, 2008 11:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Not that close

I just don’t think this one will be as close as everyone thinks. I keep seeing the pundits and specialists talking about how great OU’s offense is. I think it is good. Not great. I think UT and OSU are better. Our defense is rocking and rolling. Our offense is clicking. We could lose, but I don’t think we do.

I predict a special teams runback for a TD in the first quarter, and I predict a Pick 6 in the first half. Their 3rd down percentage isn’t great, so I say we stop them twice and maybe they stop us once in the first half.

First half score… TTU 35 OU 20

In the second half, scoring slows a bit…

Final score… TTU 52 OU 33

Then we better watch out for Baylor

Peace

... I'm just sayin'

by antiswarm on Nov 21, 2008 11:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I've had three dreams about this game.

This is extremely unhealthy. We’re 2-1 in those dreams, though, against the Sooners.

Cautiously optimistic.

Go register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on Nov 21, 2008 12:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I had a dream about an OU cheerleader last night...lol

Tech 40
ZerOU 30

by TT4EVER on Nov 21, 2008 12:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

No Shootout in Norman

As much as everyone wants to think that both teams will hang lots of points on the board equally, it just will not happen.

OU has never hung more than 38 against a good team. In fact against to respectible ranked teams they a have played they can not put up 40.

They will be running the ball and running the ball this saturday which always equals lower score than predicted.

I see this game being simular to the Texas game. Tech busts OU in the mouth early on and goes up early with a significant lead. Only to watch the Sooners start to climb back in the game in the second half.

Last time in Norman Tech went up 24-3 at the half only to lose in 4th with late drives they could not stop while being completely shut down and no scores.

This time, Tech holds and puts up second half points. I see Harrell and Crabtree getting a late score to put the game out of reach by two scores with about 1:30 to go in the game and OU just can not get it done.

TTech 45….. OU 38

by Pablo M on Nov 21, 2008 12:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Need edit button

by Pablo M on Nov 21, 2008 12:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I may need a defibulator

I was really nervous before the UT game, not so much before the OSU game, but this week I have been a nervous wreck. My one major worry about this game is that we come out a bit flat and OU jumps out to a quick lead. I think the first quarter is crucial to the game outcome. If we can be within 10 points by the second, I think we will have weathered the storm of the OU surge and the crowd. From there, it is all about execution and keeping the penalties and turnovers to a minimun. OU is going to score….. a lot. the key is to not let them run the ball down our throats all game long. If we can keep them under 200 yards, I think it will be quite an accomplishment. I actually think that Leach is going to run the ball quite a lot to shorten the game some….I cant believe I just said that! In the end, I see Tech’s depth at receiver and D-Line being too much for OU. OU has shown a propensity to tire in the 4th quarter. If we can get to the 4th and be within striking distance, I believe we pull off the minor upset.

O MVP: The O Line
D MVP: The D Line
Score: 41-38 Tech

by HoustonTechster on Nov 21, 2008 1:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

1. Synopsis of the game: OU comes out and tries to establish a running game, fails in that but gets 3-4 early big plays to go up 14-7. Harrell throws an int on the 4th play of the 1st possession but the offense isn’t stopped except by time the rest of the game.
2. Offensive MVP: Shannon Woods (That’s right)
3. Defensive MVP: Colby Whitlock
4. Final Score: TTU 48, OU 45

by kayakyakr on Nov 21, 2008 1:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I picked the Elf to be the difference against State

I believe he can’t be accounted for vs. OU either. Morris is too quick for their thouroughbreds. He is the true embodiment of a “possession” reciever. He IS a “gamer.” Elf gets 10+ receptions and our D is just good enough to get some stops or FG attempts from OU’s O. I think we hold them on at least one 4th down try because Stoops realizes, like Brown and the 41 year olds MAN, that he can’t give the ball back to Tech.

OMVP: Showin’ some Collin County love for our Shannon Woods. He knows how to get into the end zone.
DMVP: I like the L.A. Reed (Ried?) love, but I’m going with the big boys on our front 3 D-Line.

Final Score: Tech 45-OU 36(4 TDs, 2 field goals)

by Plano Jeff on Nov 21, 2008 2:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The Elf is the diffence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by techgolf44 on Nov 21, 2008 2:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Greatness

Just an observation, has anyone else noticed how the teams we play suddenly become something like the greatest team ever right BEFORE we play them, and often, not so much right after. And I don’t mean that as we expose them to be frauds, I mean:
-Kansas, the team that was supposed to show the Raiders as pretenders, a victory would prove we are legit, until it happened, then Kansas is terrible
-UT, greatest team to take the field in the big 12, maybe ever, we had no chance, altho we beat them (exception here being they haven’t fallen far yet because people still WANT the Horns to be that team)
-OSU, supposed the be even BETTER than those Horns, awesome players, a receiver better than Crabtree, until they lost, now they’re LUCKY they’re still ranked

And now we have OU, suddenly THEY have the greatest team in the history of like EVER. Their offense is a juggernaut and their defense won’t be a liability. And I’m sure if/when we win Baylor’s Robert Griffin will be hailed as the greatest college player ever (and he’s only a FRESHMAN, can you believe it?) worthy of Heisman consideration. If it helps get our team fired up, then I’m all for it, but seriously, UT at least was undefeated at the time people were talking them up.

But I will admit, this one being on the road DOES worry me, but I am hopeful.

by HeeroTX on Nov 21, 2008 2:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Watch and learn Primetime. We’ve heard it all before.

We get a KO and punt return for scores. Bradford has flashbacks to last year, freaks out, resulting in stops and INTs. Pirates ships are reported on the Canadian River. Strong SW winds cause Norman to smell like a feed lot, blows all homes on wheels into Missouri reducing Norman’s population to 19 (mostly heavy women shielded by Wal-Mart building). Crabs invade OU locker room. Mack Brown again complains that Tech fans are dangerous, demands kevlar uniforms. Stoops applies to move team to WAC, learns Boise State is there, withdraws application.

Tech 52, ZerOU 27 (missed extra point).

by TT_ on Nov 21, 2008 5:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Synopsis of the game:
Whitlock is a beast
Bradford throws a killer pick
Tech clinches the South

Tech 42 OU 28

Offensive MVP: Graham Harrell

Defensive MVP: Colby Whitlock

by mojavereject on Nov 21, 2008 8:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Tech wins - and you can take it to the bank (ofcourse, after the financial crisis )

Okay, I know this sounds crazy since OU is not a run first offense. But Texas Tech is the only football team that can afford to be one dimensional with our Air Raid Offense. If we take away a portion of OU’s offense e.g we stop their running game, Tech wins. Its the bend but don’t break principle. Because of our offense, we don’t need great defense, we need some defense…just a little.

I don’t see OU’s dinged up secondary holding down Heisman Harrel and Belitnikoff Crabtree. Therefore, our defense has a better chance of stopping OU than OU’s defense has at stopping us.

Oh, there’s no way in hell OU is stopping our offense tomorrow, home field or not. Our offense runs a silent count even when we play at Jones AT&T Stadium (The Snake Pit) so that should help us out with the crowd noise. Secondly, while I was on campus, back in the day Mike Leach would have practices in Jones Stadium with crowd noise blasting on the loud speakers in the background. I know this for a fact cause I lived in Sierra Crossing (Right across the street).

Everyone take a deep breath and just say woosaaahhh!! Tech 45, OU 35

by Air-Raid-Red-Raider on Nov 21, 2008 10:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

LOSERS

Texas Tech: Talk about laying an egg. The Red Raiders looked overmatched on both sides of the ball from the opening possession. The Cotton Bowl beckons.

Graham Harrell: Texas Tech’s quarterback was, arguably, the Heisman frontrunner going into the game with OU. Now? He might finish fourth or fifth. No matter what he does in the regular-season finale against Baylor – and no matter what he has done already – it’s going to be hard for voters to forget the stench emanating from Saturday night’s beatdown. OU put consistent pressure on Harrell, and he wilted badly.

by Raider1977 on Nov 23, 2008 2:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs