Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders: Complete Game Preview

The No. 24 Oklahoma State Cowboys are coming off of an early bye week and will surely be looking to begin Big 12 play with a bang in a Thursday matchup against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Speaking of Texas Tech, Kliff Kingsbury's boys were embarrassed last weekend by the Arkansas Razorbacks and their potent rushing attack.

Truth be told, the Red Raiders haven't started the year well at all, almost losing to Central Arkansas and UTEP before the Arkansas game mentioned above, and they could struggle to regroup in a hostile environment Thursday night in Stillwater.

This has always been one of the Big 12's more intriguing games, and this year should be no different.

Oklahoma State may seem to have TTU's number, considering they're playing at home and have won five straight against the Red Raiders. However, you can never count out an aerial attack as deadly as Texas Tech's.

Game-Day Information

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Who: Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech

When: Saturday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m. CT/7:30 p.m. ET

Where: Stillwater, Oklahoma

Stadium: Boone Pickens Stadium (60,218 cap.)

Series History: Texas Tech 21-17-3

TV: ESPN (Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer, David Pollack and Samantha Ponder) 

Radio: Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen)

Internet: okstate.com

Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 119, XM Channel 200

Oklahoma State Key to Victory

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Pound the Rock

As mentioned on the first slide, Texas Tech really struggled with Arkansas' rushing attack last week.

Oklahoma State probably doesn't have the personnel to immediately morph into the Razorbacks offense, but they do have quite a few studs in their backfield.

Desmond Roland was a breath of fresh air two weeks ago against UTSA after he sat out the previous week with an injury. Roland was a bear in the trenches, rumbling to 95 yards and two touchdowns. Rennie Childs is a solid running back, but no one on the roster can run up the middle like Roland.

And then there's Tyreek Hill, arguably the fastest man in college football. Hill's numbers have gone down each week since his 278-yard breakout performance against Florida State in Week 1. However, he's a threat to break one every time he touches the ball, and one would expect he'll rack up at least 20 touches against Texas Tech.

Look for big games from both Roland and Hill on Thursday, as Oklahoma State tries to keep the Red Raiders offense off the field.

Texas Tech Key to Victory

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Just Sling It

You get the feeling that if Texas Tech is going to win this game, Davis Webb will need to throw for something like 350 yards and three or four touchdowns.

That sounds like a lot, but we've come to expect numbers like that from the Red Raiders' offense.

Add in the fact that Oklahoma State's secondary is one of the youngest in the Big 12, and Webb might be licking his lips in anticipation of this matchup.

The Oklahoma State cornerbacks should be ready to be tested early and often as Texas Tech tries to turn this one into a shootout.

Oklahoma State Player to Watch

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Ashton Lampkin

Speaking of those young cornerbacks, Ashton Lampkin has definitely looked like the weaker link in Oklahoma State's young cornerback tandem.

Kevin Peterson has emerged as a physical lockdown corner, while Lampkin seems to rely more on his playmaking ability, which sometimes leaves him out of position when he gambles too often.

Lampkin's made some big plays this season, grabbing two interceptions and taking one back for a score. That said, he's also been targeted quite a bit because of his propensity to be flagged for interference and holding.

If Lampkin has another performance like the one he opened the season with, the Cowboys could be in trouble. Against Florida State, Lampkin was flagged three times for defensive holding and continuously gave the defending champions extra chances with questionable decisions.

Texas Tech Player to Watch

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Davis Webb

Truthfully, this slide is going to read much like Texas Tech's key to victory because of the importance of Davis Webb in this contest.

Simply put, Webb must have a great game if the Red Raiders are going to compete.

Webb had 252 yards and three scores in Tech's loss to Arkansas, but he also threw two interceptions. That kind of production isn't going to cut it in Big 12 play.

If Webb turns the ball over more than once, the Red Raiders are going to struggle. Oklahoma State's defense is good, and you cannot make mistakes against them and expect to win.

Final Prediction

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The Oklahoma State-Texas Tech game is almost always exciting and usually turns into a fireworks show.

I wouldn't expect this year to be any different.

However, its hard to see Texas Tech beating this Oklahoma State team in Stillwater at night. The Cowboys are 4-1 on Thursday nights, with their only loss coming in 1995 to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the future national champions.

Look for both teams to light up the scoreboard, while Oklahoma State rides its two-headed running back monster to a quality win.

Oklahoma State 45, Texas Tech 34