Biggest game of weekend has Red Raiders visiting Sooners

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11/19/2008 - Norman, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A huge matchup with possible national title implications takes place in Norman this weekend, as the second-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders attempt to remain perfect on the season when they take on the fifth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners.

Mike Leach's Red Raiders are a perfect 10-0 on the season and are enjoying the school's highest-ever ranking. Tech can clinch the Big 12 South Division title with a win in this game and has had an extra week of rest, as the team was idle last week following a 56-20 rout of a very good Oklahoma State team.

The Sooners have had this game circled on their calendar for a few weeks now. Bob Stoops' squad has lost just once, falling to Texas on October 11th. Since then, the team has won four straight games. Oklahoma also had the luxury of a bye week coming in and was last on the field on November 8th, when the Sooners destroyed Texas A&M in College Station, 66-28.

Oklahoma leads the all-time series with Texas Tech 11-4, including a 6-1 advantage in Norman. Last season, the Red Raiders took full advantage of a concussion that sidelined OU's Sam Bradford and went on to post a 34-27 victory.

At this point in the season, almost everyone knows what kind of offensive firepower Texas Tech possesses. The team has put up some ridiculous numbers this year, averaging 47.9 ppg (third nationally), on 566.3 yards of total offense (second nationally). It is the passing attack that is the preferred mode of travel, as the Red Raiders lead the nation in passing at 433.7 yards per game.

That is where Heisman hopeful Grant Harrell comes in. The 6-3 senior has certainly erased the stigma of being a "system" QB this year and has played lights out, especially against top-tier competition. Harrell has completed 71.7 percent of his passes thus far, for a whopping 4,077 yards and 36 TDs.

The weapons on the outside are numerous, but the undisputed top target downfield is All-American wideout Michael Crabtree. The 6-3 sophomore is having another superb campaign in Lubbock and leads the team with 78 receptions, for 1,010 yards and 18 TDs. Detron Lewis (57 receptions, for 730 yards, one TD) and Eric Morris (56 receptions, for 595 yards, six TDs) are the direct benefactors of all the attention paid to Crabtree by defenses.

The ground game shouldn't be overlooked either, as the Red Raiders are churning out a steady 132.6 yards per game rushing. Baron Batch and Shannon Woods have done the majority of the damage in the backfield, combining for well over 1,200 yards and 16 TDs.

Although it is the quarterback and the rest of the skill players making the highlight reels in Lubbock, Harrell credits his offensive line with much of the team's success.

"I feel very comfortable. I always feel comfortable behind those guys. They're the heart of this team and that's the truth. Those guys are unbelievable. Those guys are so big and they pass block well, they run well, and they block well. To be that size and move and protect like they do, it's just impressive to see."

When you have a prolific offense, the play of the defense often times goes unnoticed. The Red Raiders though, have played solid defense for the most part, limiting foes to just 22.2 ppg thus far, on 351.4 yards of total offense. The unit has come up with big plays when needed the most and has amassed 26 sacks and 24 takeaways thus far.

Sophomore LB Brian Duncan currently leads the team in tackles with 74 stops. Up front, the team has a pair of quality bookends in Brandon Williams and McKinner Dixon. The 6-3, 250-pound Dixon has just 19 tackles on the season, but 11 have come behind the line of scrimmage, including 10 sacks. Williams has eight TFLs and seven sacks to his credit. The play in the secondary is highlighted by safeties Daniel Charbonnet and Darcel McBath, who have combined for 106 tackles and 11 interceptions.

Not many teams have the personnel to win a shootout with the Red Raiders, but the Sooners are certainly one of them. Oklahoma ranks among the nation's elite in most offensive categories, including leading the country in scoring (51.4 ppg), ranking third in passing (355.5 ypg) and fourth in total offense (549.8 ypg).

The team boasts of its own Heisman candidate in sophomore gunslinger Sam Bradford. The 6-4 youngster has played like a seasoned veteran since he stepped on the field in Norman and is putting up huge numbers this year, completing 67.9 percent of his passes, for 3,406 yards, with 38 TDs and just six interceptions. He has certainly spread the ball around, with six players catching 20 passes or more. Juaquin Iglesias (51 receptions, for 853 yards, six TDs), Jermaine Gresham (36 receptions, for 553 yards, nine TDs) and Manuel Johnson (34 receptions, for 587 yards, eight TDs) are the best of the bunch and all three are capable of being the go-to-guy in any given game.

The ground game plays second-fiddle in Norman, but not by much, averaging 194.3 yards per game. DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown have shared the workload thus far. Murray is averaging 5.5 yards per carry and has scored 11 TDs. Brown is netting 6.1 yards per attempt and has 12 rushing scores to his credit.

Defensively, the Sooners have been solid, allowing 23.6 ppg, on 345.6 yards of total offense. The team has been particularly stout against the run, limiting foes to a mere 107.5 yards per game, on 3.2 yards per carry. This is another team that has thrived in terms of making big plays, recording 34 sacks and 24 takeaways in the first 10 games.

It isn't all good news on this side of the football however, as the team has lost standout end Auston English (9.0 TFLs, 4.5 sacks) to injury. The Sooners may be able to assuage the loss though, as there is still plenty of depth along the defensive line, highlighted by tackle Gerald McCoy (9.0 TFLs, 6.0 sacks) and rush end Jeremy Beal (40 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks). The linebacking corps is superior, headlined by Travis Lewis and Kennan Clayton. Lewis is just a redshirt freshman, but is among the best LBs in the country, with 105 total tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks and three INTs. Clayton is a distant second in terms of tackles (62), with 8.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks and one pick. Senior safety Lendy Holmes is the top performer in the secondary, ranking third on the team in tackles (58) and first in INTs (four).

Despite all the big plays thus far for the OU defense, the prospect of trying to stop Harrell and the Tech passing attack is concerning for Stoops, especially containing Crabtree.

"He is just a great athlete. He is a big guy with great speed and great hands. He is competitive and is just one of those special players that you always have to be aware of, and pay attention to. He is big number five. You can't miss him. They will move him around some, although he does have a generally standard position."