GoPokes83
11-13-2009, 07:57 AM
Game of the Week
Texas Tech (6-3) at Oklahoma State (7-2), 8:00 EST, Saturday, November 14, ABC
Why to watch: Can Oklahoma State be impressive enough to get into the BCS? Still in the hunt for the Big 12 North, needing to beat Texas Tech this week and Colorado and Oklahoma to close, while hoping for a total meltdown from Texas, the Cowboys have to keep pressing and hope for the best. More realistically, it’s all about style points now as a 10-2 OSU team could potentially get an at-large BCS bid if it looks great in high profile games against the Sooners and the Red Raiders. For Texas Tech, it’s all about closing strong after getting two weeks off to rest up for an interesting finishing kick with Oklahoma coming up next week before closing out at Baylor. For a team in such turmoil and with all the rebuilding needing to be done, finishing strong and getting at least eight wins this regular season would be a nice bridge to next year.
Why Texas Tech might win: It’s always a simple when it comes to Texas Tech; if you can’t stop the pass, you will lose. Oklahoma State’s secondary has been decent at forcing mistakes and the pass rush hasn’t been awful, at least compared to last year, but the pass defense gives up way too many short to midrange passes. Texas was held in check in a blowout loss, but that’s been it for a Cowboy defense that gave up 325 yards to Missouri and 273 and three scores to Texas A&M. The only question is whether or not the Red Raiders can get hot, and considering the attack has been wildly inconsistent, the hope has to be that the two weeks off has allowed for enough practice time to sharpen up.
Why Oklahoma State might win: Tech’s biggest issue this year has been the offensive line. In the past, Red Raider quarterbacks have been able to get the ball out of their hands in a hurry, but they’ve also had time to find the second and third targets without a problem. That hasn’t been the case this year with the passers struggling in their decision making, at times, and under immense pressure far too often. Oklahoma State doesn’t necessarily generate sacks in bunches, but it’s athletic enough up front to get to the quarterback and disrupt the timing of the attack. It also helps the Cowboys that …
Who to watch: … the Texas Tech quarterback situation is a bit of a mess. Taylor Potts is supposed to be the main man, but he has thrown way too many key interceptions and hasn’t been the same since suffering a concussion a few weeks ago. Steven Sheffield isn’t nearly as talented, but he was terrific against Kansas State and appeared to be taking the job by the horns, throwing 12 touchdown passes and two interceptions, before suffering a broken foot. There are suggestions that he’ll be back, but for the moment it’s Potts under center with Seth Doege, and possibly Sheffield, waiting in the wings. If Potts struggles at all, he’ll be quickly yanked.
What will happen: OSU QB Zac Robinson will be his normal, efficient self, the Cowboy running game will be solid, and Tech will end up using at least two quarterbacks and will get spotty production. This is when OSU firmly establishes itself as the second best team in the conference.
CFN Prediction: Oklahoma State 35 … Texas Tech 27 ... Line: Oklahoma State -4
Must See Rating: (The Legend of Jimmy the Greek 5 … 2012 1) … 4
Texas Tech (6-3) at Oklahoma State (7-2), 8:00 EST, Saturday, November 14, ABC
Why to watch: Can Oklahoma State be impressive enough to get into the BCS? Still in the hunt for the Big 12 North, needing to beat Texas Tech this week and Colorado and Oklahoma to close, while hoping for a total meltdown from Texas, the Cowboys have to keep pressing and hope for the best. More realistically, it’s all about style points now as a 10-2 OSU team could potentially get an at-large BCS bid if it looks great in high profile games against the Sooners and the Red Raiders. For Texas Tech, it’s all about closing strong after getting two weeks off to rest up for an interesting finishing kick with Oklahoma coming up next week before closing out at Baylor. For a team in such turmoil and with all the rebuilding needing to be done, finishing strong and getting at least eight wins this regular season would be a nice bridge to next year.
Why Texas Tech might win: It’s always a simple when it comes to Texas Tech; if you can’t stop the pass, you will lose. Oklahoma State’s secondary has been decent at forcing mistakes and the pass rush hasn’t been awful, at least compared to last year, but the pass defense gives up way too many short to midrange passes. Texas was held in check in a blowout loss, but that’s been it for a Cowboy defense that gave up 325 yards to Missouri and 273 and three scores to Texas A&M. The only question is whether or not the Red Raiders can get hot, and considering the attack has been wildly inconsistent, the hope has to be that the two weeks off has allowed for enough practice time to sharpen up.
Why Oklahoma State might win: Tech’s biggest issue this year has been the offensive line. In the past, Red Raider quarterbacks have been able to get the ball out of their hands in a hurry, but they’ve also had time to find the second and third targets without a problem. That hasn’t been the case this year with the passers struggling in their decision making, at times, and under immense pressure far too often. Oklahoma State doesn’t necessarily generate sacks in bunches, but it’s athletic enough up front to get to the quarterback and disrupt the timing of the attack. It also helps the Cowboys that …
Who to watch: … the Texas Tech quarterback situation is a bit of a mess. Taylor Potts is supposed to be the main man, but he has thrown way too many key interceptions and hasn’t been the same since suffering a concussion a few weeks ago. Steven Sheffield isn’t nearly as talented, but he was terrific against Kansas State and appeared to be taking the job by the horns, throwing 12 touchdown passes and two interceptions, before suffering a broken foot. There are suggestions that he’ll be back, but for the moment it’s Potts under center with Seth Doege, and possibly Sheffield, waiting in the wings. If Potts struggles at all, he’ll be quickly yanked.
What will happen: OSU QB Zac Robinson will be his normal, efficient self, the Cowboy running game will be solid, and Tech will end up using at least two quarterbacks and will get spotty production. This is when OSU firmly establishes itself as the second best team in the conference.
CFN Prediction: Oklahoma State 35 … Texas Tech 27 ... Line: Oklahoma State -4
Must See Rating: (The Legend of Jimmy the Greek 5 … 2012 1) … 4