Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Oklahoma State Cowboys preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (24)
Kliff Kingsbury will lead his 2-1 Texas Tech Red Raiders into Stillwater, Oklahoma to take on Mike Gundy and his 2-1, 24th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys in a key Big 12 match up at Boone Pickens Stadium on Thursday night. Both teams were reeling and enjoyed a much-needed bye last week. After a 2-0 start, Texas Tech was dominated by the Arkansas Razorbacks 49-28. Oklahoma State has won two straight since their season-opening 37-31 loss to the top-ranked Florida State Seminoles but have likely lost quarterback J.W. Walsh for the season (Walsh had surgery to repair a soft tissue injury in his right foot on September 11). He has been replaced by Daxx Garman.
Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State viewing information:
Date: September 25, 2014
Start Time: 7:30 pm EST
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
Stadium: Boon Pickens Stadiums
TV Info: ESPN/Watch ESPN App
Live Stream: Watch ESPN
Radio: For Texas Tech radio, click here. For Oklahoma State radio, click here.
Ticket information: For Texas Tech ticket information, click here. For Oklahoma State ticket information, click here.
Keys to Victory
Texas Tech clearly has to be better defensively. It wasn’t just Arkansas that lit them up – they gave up 35 points to Central Arkansas in week one and 26 to UTEP in week and are giving up an average of 36.7 points per game. They’re going to have to get to Garman and force him into mistakes which is something he hasn’t done this season – Garman has completed 32-of-56 passes for 559 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Oklahoma State would clearly like to get Desmond Roland, Rennie Childs, Tyreek Hill and their running game going. Actually, the Cowboys just want to get the ball into Hill’s hands any way they can. The speedster has rushed 23 times for 135 yards and caught nine passes for 76 yards. He’s also returned seven punts for 81 yards and seven kicks for 140 yards. It won’t help that the Red Raiders are breaking in a new defensive coordinator. Outside linebackers coach Mike Smith takes over for Matt Wallerstedt, who resigned after allegedly being under the influence of an unknown substance on campus
The other side of the ball has not been much of a problem for the Red Raiders. Quarterback Davis Webb has completed 83-of-128 passes for yards 982 yards with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. Jakeem Grant (20 receptions, 283 yards, one touchdown and Bradley Marquez (18 catches, 251 yards, five touchdowns) have been his favorite targets so it will be interesting to see how they match up with the talented Cowboys’ cornerbacks (Kevin Peterson and Ashton Lampkin). The Cowboys were able to put pressure on Seminoles’ quarterback Jameis Winston and really took away their run so the Red Raiders are going to have establish a threat of a running game to have a chance in this one. DeAndre Washington (40 carries, 214 yards, one touchdown) and the explosive Justin Stockton (20, 180 yards, two touchdowns) have led the way there.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Oklahoma State -13.5
Moneyline: TTU +425, OKST -550
O/U:71
Prediction
Even without Walsh, the Cowboys are the more talented team and they’re playing at home, which should give them an edge in this one.
Final Score: Oklahoma State 37, Texas Tech 24