Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech Preview, Prediction

A full preview and prediction for OSU vs. Texas Tech.<br/>

Thursday, September 25th 2014, 4:41 pm

By: News 9


The Basics

OSU has won five straight over Texas Tech and has outscored the Raiders 235-98 during that stretch.

And there's no reason to believe anything will change this season. The Cowboys have scored 38 points per game while playing a schedule that includes the defending National Champions and a stout UTSA defense.

Meanwhile the Red Raiders have looked downright awful. Their 2-1 record is perfectly acceptable, but if you're a Tech fan, the manner in which they have played certainly isn't. The Raiders were blown out by Arkansas 49-28 last week and looked mighty underwhelming in games one and two.

Tech opened the season with a seven-point win against a mediocre FCS squad in Central Arkansas. The Raiders then traveled to UTEP and won by only four against a Miners team that won a total of two games in 2013.

Scouting the Red Raiders

Texas Tech has certainly struggled offensively compared to years past. Quarterback Davis Webb has thrown for 327 yards per game, but that number is inflated by his 452 against FCS foe Central Arkansas. He threw for just 252 and two picks in TTU's 49-28 loss to Arkansas last week.

Webb started 10 games last season, leading the Raiders to a 7-3 record. Those 10 games included four 400+ yard performances, one of which came against OSU. Webb threw for 425 yards on an insane 71 attempts in Tech's blowout loss.

When Tech does pass (which will be often) Webb will share the wealth. TTU has three receivers with double-digit grabs this season (to compare, OSU has none) including leading receiver Jakeem Grant. Grant has hauled in 20 balls for 283 yards and a score. Also keep an eye on wideout Bradley Marquez; five of his 18 receptions have gone to the end zone.

The TTU running game has been underwhelming considering the competition. DeAndre Washington has rushed for 214 yards and a touchdown in three games, while Justin Stockton has added 180 yards (75 of which came on one run) and two scores.

If you've watched Big 12 football for any time at all, you know the drill here: the Red Raiders wanna sling it all over the field.

Matchup

It's hard to see Texas Tech establishing any kind of run game against the Cowboys' physical defensive front. OSU's defense will come into this contest expecting to play against the pass and let the D-line take care of stopping any run game TTU might bring to town.

Look for the Cowboys to run Desmond Roland and Rennie Childs to soften up an already questionable Red Raider defense. And once the Tech defenders creep a little closer to the line, Daxx Garman should have room to take some shots downfield.

The Pokes have dominated on the ground in recent matchups. For more details on their dominance, click the link below. If OSU can own the ground game once again, look for another Cowboy victory.

RELATED STORY: A Look Inside OSU's Recent Domination Of Texas Tech

Prediction

OSU will have a very realistic shot at starting the season 7-1 if it can take this game. Contests against Iowa State and Kansas look like laughers, while matchups against TCU and West Virginia are certainly winnable.

For more predictions, click below.

RELATED STORY: Five Predictions For OSU vs. Texas Tech

I'll take Oklahoma State, 45-27

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