Big 12 Power Rankings: Conference Charges Towards Wild Finish
By Ben Nielsen
Oct 19, 2013; Morgantown, WV, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders coach Kliff Kingsbury looks on before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Friend-USA TODAY Sports
3. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Record: 7-0 (4-0) – Bowl Eligible
Previous Ranking: 3
Last Week: Tech 37, West Virginia 27
This Week: at #15 Oklahoma
Next Week: vs Oklahoma State
This is what Tech wanted: Beat up on the early part of their schedule and build momentum and confidence heading into their first difficult opponent of the season.
Beating WVU on the road is no small feat – ask Oklahoma State – but they are not nearly as difficult of an opponent as the Sooners at Norman. Tech is going to have to find a way to force Oklahoma into as many passing situations as possible, while also protecting the ball on offense.
Tech has yet to see a secondary as talented as Oklahoma’s so moving the ball isn’t going to be quite as easy as they are used to. While the offense is very good, it is not elite, and will need help to knock off Oklahoma on the road. Some of that help needs to come in holding onto the ball.
Defensively, Tech has to load up on the run. Force Blake Bell to throw downfield and make plays. Texas proved that pressure and killing the run game will stifle the Sooners’ offense, and while Tech isn’t quite as athletic as Texas they do have the talent to implement this type of game plan.