Game Details
Good Guys: Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-0, 0-0)
Bad Guys: Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-1, 0-1)
When: Saturday, September 30th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Jones AT&T Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: FOX (FOX Sports Go)
Radio/Stream: 97.3 FM | Affiliates | TuneIn App
Weather:
What Happened Last Week
| Player: | Mason Rudolph |
| Position: | Quarterback |
| Ht/Wt: | 6-5/230 |
| Year: | Senior |
| Key Stats: | 67% completion percentage; 1,533 yards; 11.4 yards per attempt; 13 touchdowns and 3 interceptions; 383 yards per game |
| Player: | James Washington |
| Position: | Wide Receiver |
| Ht/Wt: | 6-0/205 |
| Year: | Senior |
| Key Stats: | 19 receptions; 520 yards; 4 touchdowns; 27.37 yards per catch; 130 yards per game |
I was not really expecting this result for Oklahoma State for this game. An absolute beat-down for Oklahoma State losing to TCU, 44-31, at home and the score was maybe closer than it appeared. Oklahoma State put up nearly 500 yards of offense, but turned the ball over 4 times. Not only that, but the TCU running game absolutely took advantage of Oklahoma State, gaining 238 yards on 52 carries and 4.6 yards per carry. TCU seemed to have the blueprint for making life miserable for Oklahoma State and I wonder if Texas Tech can replicate it.
And the quarterbacks were really asked to do different things, as Kenny Hill completed 67% of his passes for only 228 yards. Manage the game. Meanwhile, Mason Rudolph only completed 54% of his passes for 398 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Rudolph seemingly has to be better and so does the defense.
For Texas Tech, a win over Houston is a big deal because I think most didn’t think that Texas Tech would be 3-0 on the year, having to travel to Houston and take on that 16 game winning streak. I don’t know if this is going to be a redemption tour, but it sure would be nice if it was.
There’s no doubt that Texas Tech is going to lose a game sooner rather than later, but I’d like to keep this party going for a while.
Why This Game Is Important
This game is ridiculously important for Oklahoma State, who has beat Texas Tech since 2008, that’s nearly a decade of wins for the Cowboys and it’s one where Texas Tech hasn’t really had much of a chance. Oklahoma State has been dominant since 2008. Oklahoma State needs that first conference win, but they’ll have Baylor after Texas Tech, although who knows if that will really be a break.
What to Know About Oklahoma State
| Player: | Chad Whitener |
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Ht/Wt: | 6-0/240 |
| Year: | Senior |
| Key Stats: | 22 tackles; 1 tackle for loss; 2 quarterback hurries |
| Player: | Tre Flowers |
| Position: | Safety |
| Ht/Wt: | 6-3/200 |
| Year: | Senior |
| Key Stats: | 20 tackles; 2 interceptions; 2 passes broken up |
The offense is le by Mason Rudolph, the senior quarterback who has played lights out. The battle for the best quarterback in the Big 12 is essentially between Rudolph, Baker Mayfield and Nic Shimonek at this point of the season.
Running back Justice Hill (5-10/184) exploded on the scene last year, while this seems to be a running back by committee as freshmen J.D. King (5-11/205) and LD Brown (5-9/193) also contribute significantly.
The wide receiver group is ridiculously deep as they have six receivers in double-figures. Marcell Ateman (6-4/220) and James Washington (6-0/205) are the leaders of the group as seniors, while Dillon Stoner (6-0/198) and Jalen McCleskey (5-10/170) clean up the top four receivers. Also in the mix is Chris Lacy (6-3/205) and transfer Tyron Johnson (6-1/184) is starting to make his mark.
The defensive line, one that was maybe a question mark headed into the year. DeQuinton Osborne (6-0/305), Enoch Smith, Jr. (6-2/295) and Darrion Daniels (6-3/200) along with Jordan Brailford (6-3/250), Trey Carter (6-3/295), Vili Levni (6-4/280) and Cole Walterscheid (6-5/260) the important pieces at defensive end.
The linebacking corps is led by Whitener along with Justin Phillips (6-0/230), Amen Ogbongbemiga (6-0/225) and Kirk Tucker (6-1/200).
The defensive backfield starts with Flowers, and safeties Ramon Richards (5-11/185) and Thabo Mwaniki (5-11/185). A.J. Green (6-1/180), Rodarius Williams (6-0/180) and Adrian Baker (5-11/180) are your top cornerbacks.
The Early Line
Via OddsShark, the line opened up with Oklahoma State favored by 14.5 at 5:30 or so and by 5:50, the line dropped half a point and then dropped another half a point to 13.5 by 6:15. The final drop would be to 11 by 6:45. That’s a drop of 3.5 points in an hour.