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Texas Tech-Oklahoma: How They Match Up

don williams, lubbock avalanche-journal
·4 min read

Texas Tech and Oklahoma wrap up the regular season against each other at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium. Both teams are 6-5 and can look forward to a bowl game after getting their sixth victories last week, Tech as a 14-10 winner at Iowa State and Oklahoma as a 28-13 victor against Oklahoma State.

The Red Raiders are trying to snap a 10-game losing streak in the series.

Here's a look at how the two teams match up.

Texas Tech defensive tackle Tony Bradford has eight tackles for loss, including 4 1/2 sacks this season.
Texas Tech defensive tackle Tony Bradford has eight tackles for loss, including 4 1/2 sacks this season.

When Tech runs

Tech RBs SaRodorick Thompson (111 carries, 584 yards, four touchdowns) and Tahj Brooks (121-575-5) each reached 500 yards rushing last year, and both are on the cusp of 600 yards this season. The Red Raiders' one-two punch has only one individual 100-yard rushing performance this season, but Oklahoma has allowed seven individual 100-yard games by opposing rushers this season. The Sooners rank last in the Big 12 and 114th in the FBS in rushing defense. They do, however, wreak havoc behind the line of scrimmage. Their 93 tackles for loss is tied for second-most in the FBS with seven OU defenders having at least six. LBs Danny Stutsman (101 tackles, 9 1/2 TFL) and David Ugwoegbu (94 tackles, 7 TFL) are first and fourth in the Big 12 in tackles. DE Ethan Downs (11 TFL, 4 1/2 sacks) has five TFL in the past three games. Advantage: Texas Tech

Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) is the Big 12's leading tackler with 101 stops.
Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) is the Big 12's leading tackler with 101 stops.

When Tech passes

QB Tyler Shough led Tech to victories against Kansas and Iowa State that made the Red Raiders bowl eligible, and he'll make his third consecutive start and fourth of the season. Inside receivers Myles Price (42 receptions, 424 yards, two touchdowns) and Xavier White (41-557-3) and WR Jerand Bradley (35-483-4) have been top targets this season, and Tech's game-winning drive last week featured key catches from IR Nehemiah Martinez (28-332-2) and a touchdown catch by TE Baylor Cupp. Oklahoma ranks 96th in the FBS in pass defense, but the Sooners are tied for the Big 12 lead in interceptions with 15, four coming last week against Oklahoma State. Tech QBs are tied for the Big 12 high in interceptions thrown with 16. Advantage: Texas Tech

Texas Tech quarterback Tyler Shough scrambles in the first quarter against Iowa State during a NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.
Texas Tech quarterback Tyler Shough scrambles in the first quarter against Iowa State during a NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.

When OU runs

Oklahoma RB Eric Gray (185-1,203-11) is having a banner year with seven 100-yard rushing performances. The Sooners have depth in the run game, too, with freshman RB Jovantae Barnes (83-397-4), QB Dillon Gabriel (68-297-5) and RB Marcus Major (56-227-4) rushing for 13 touchdowns among them. LB Krishon Merriweather, third in the Big 12 with 96 tackles, leads the Tech rush defense. Blowing up plays in the backfield are DE Jesiah Pierre, who has six tackles for loss in the past three games, and S Marquis Waters, whose 11 1/2 tackles for loss is most among FBS defensive backs. Tech limited Iowa State to 128 rushing yards last week, but six Big 12 players have gone for at least 100 yards on the ground against the Red Raiders, who rank 83rd in rushing defense. Advantage: Oklahoma

Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (0) and quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) celebrate after the Sooners' 28-13 victory last week against Oklahoma State. Gray is the Big 12's second-leading rusher with 1,203 yards, and Gabriel is the conference's fourth-leading passer with 2,476 yards.
Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (0) and quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) celebrate after the Sooners' 28-13 victory last week against Oklahoma State. Gray is the Big 12's second-leading rusher with 1,203 yards, and Gabriel is the conference's fourth-leading passer with 2,476 yards.

When OU passes

Dillon Gabriel threw for 8,037 yards and 70 touchdowns in 26 career games at Central Florida. Since leaving UCF for Oklahoma via the transfer portal, Gabriel has thrown for 2,476 yards and 18 TDs in his first season with the Sooners. WR Marvin Mims (47-844-4) ranks second in the Big 12 in receiving yards and has 17 career receptions of at least 40 yards. CB Malik Dunlap (Big 12 high 10 pass breakups) and CB Rayshad Williams will look to keep track of Mims. Gabriel also spreads the ball among IR Drake Stoops (31-311-3), TE Brayden Willis (28-382-5) and WR Jalil Farooq (28-382-3). With DE Tyree Wilson out for the season (broken foot), Tech will try to pressure the passer with DE Jesiah Pierre and DT Tony Bradford, who have 4 1/2 sacks apiece. Advantage: Oklahoma

Texas Tech cornerback Rayshad Williams celebrates a defensive stop during the Red Raiders' 14-10 victory last week at Iowa State.
Texas Tech cornerback Rayshad Williams celebrates a defensive stop during the Red Raiders' 14-10 victory last week at Iowa State.

Special teams

Oklahoma P Michael Turk this week was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award that goes to the nation's top punter. His 46.5-yard average helps the Sooners rank eighth in the FBS in net punting. Tech P Austin McNamara (44.0-yard average) sits third in the Big 12. McNamara and PK Trey Wolff (15 of 18 field goals) have given the Red Raiders a solid pair of specialists. Zach Schmit has made nine of 13 field goals in his first year as the Sooners kicker, succeeding Gabe Brkic, who made 57 field goals the past three years. Sooners return man Marvin Mims is averaging 15.2 yards on nine punt returns. Advantage: Oklahoma

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech-Oklahoma: How They Match Up