Big 12 Power Rankings: Texas Beats Oklahoma, Big 12 Up In The Air
By Ben Nielsen
Oct 12, 2013; Lubbock, TX, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot enters the field before the game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jones AT
3. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Record: 6-0 (3-0) – Bowl Eligible
Previous Ranking: 3
Last Week: TTU 42, ISU 35
This Week: at West Virgina
Next Week: at Oklahoma
Another productive offensive day – 666 total offensive yards, 42 points – leads to yet another victory. Tech also became the first Big 12 team to clinch bowl eligibility.
An encouraging sign was seen in the running game where Tech racked up 251 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry. This is a significant improvement for a team that ranks ninth in the Big 12 in rushing offense. Adding that dimension would be a tremendous boost to the offense when they play the more difficult defenses in the Big 12.
Davis Webb also proved to be a capable quarterback in replacement of the injured Baker Mayfield. Davis was named Big 12 offensive player of the week after racking up 415 passing yards and three touchdowns. Continuing that improvement is going to be key if Tech is going to steal the Big 12.
In a not so encouraging note, turnovers continue to be a problem for Tech. Three more turnovers means the Red Raiders have given the ball up 14 times this season, which is trumped only by K-State and West Virginia’s 15. Getting away with those turnovers against Kansas and Iowa State is one thing, but doing that against Baylor or Oklahoma is going to get Tech beat. The inability to take care of the ball may end up being the Red Raiders’ achilles heel in the end.