Vitals: Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech

Everything you need to know about the Sooners' matchup with the Red Raiders.

Tuesday, October 18th 2011, 12:19 am

By: News 9

Corey DeMoss, News9.com

No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners (6-0, 3-0) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-2, 1-2)
7:00 p.m. CST; Saturday, Oct. 22
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium; Norman, Oklahoma

Statistical Leaders:

	Oklahoma	Texas Tech
Passing	Landry Jones 171/253, 2,177 yards, 16 TDs, 6 INTs	Seth Doege 205/290, 2,167, 18 TDs, 4 INTs
Rushing	Dominique Whaley 113 carries, 627 yards, 9 TDs	Eric Stephens 109 carries, 570 yards, 8 TDs
Receiving	Ryan Broyles 60 catches, 815 yards, 9 TDs	Alex Torres 35 catches, 381 yards, 1 TD

Where to find it:

On TV: ABC
On Radio: Sooner Radio Network

Injury Report:

Oklahoma: WR Kenny Stills (calf, day-to-day); LB Corey Nelson (arm, day-to-day); RB Brennan Clay (shoulder, day-to-day); K Jimmy Stevens (quadriceps, day-to-day); OL Ben Habern (arm, out)

Texas Tech: WR Ben McRoy (undisclosed, questionable); WR Pete Robertson (shoulder, questionable); WR Darrin Moore (knee, questionable); RB Ronnie Daniels (suspension, out indefinitely); RB Eric Stephens (knee, out for season); LB Tanner Foster (knee, out for season)

What you need to know…

This game will feature two of the top four quarterbacks in the nation in terms of passing yardage. OU's Landry Jones is third in the nation with 2,177 yards, while Tech's Seth Doege is only 11 yards behind him.

Both teams have the ability to put up points in bunches, but the major difference lies on defense. As tends to be the case, Texas Tech's defense has been porous all year. But OU's has been solid and at points downright dominant.

Tech has given up 34 points or more in its last four consecutive games, while OU has not allowed that many points to any of its opponents so far this season.

The Sooners did start slow against Kansas, but responded and held the Jayhawks to just six total yards in the second half. Those same Jayhawks are one of the teams that put up 34 points on Tech.

Who you need to watch…

The last time the Sooners faced a spread offense with a strong passing attack, they struggled against Missouri. For them to improve this time around, they will need to get more pressure on the quarterback with their defensive linemen and count on better play from their safeties.

Frank Alexander has been a one-man wrecking crew lately, and is sixth in the nation with 6.5 sacks on the year. If he can continue to beat his man consistently, OU will be able to drop back into full coverage and limit Tech's dangerous passing attack.

Consistent pressure also should force Doege into making mistakes, something he had managed to avoid most of the season. He only had one interception going into the Red Raiders' last game, but threw three against Kansas State that ultimately cost Tech a win.

On offense, the Sooners should have no trouble dictating the tempo. Texas Tech has not been able to stop the run or the pass lately, and OU can do both equally well.

It will be important for the Sooners to get off to a quick start and jump out to a lead, which should allow them to run the ball, milk the clock and keep the Red Raiders' offense off the field.