Texas vs. Texas Tech Complete Game Preview
Texas and Texas Tech are both experiencing down seasons. The teams are sitting at 3-5 and hoping to make it to a bowl game.
The Longhorns and the Red Raiders are both coming off of embarrassing losses.
The Red Raiders were dominated in an 82-27 loss to TCU and will be looking to bounce back against the Longhorns.
But can Texas bounce back on the road against the struggling Texas Tech Red Raiders? Let's take a look.
When: Saturday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, Texas
TV: FS1
Austin radio: KVET 98.1/1300
SiriusXM satellite radio: XM 202; Sirius 117; Internet 969; Spanish 550
Last meeting: Nov. 28, 2013, Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas
Last meeting outcome: Texas 41, Texas Tech 16
Texas Keys to Victory
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Rebound from Kansas State
For the first time in a decade, Texas was shut out in a football game. The Longhorns offense did little to help the team against No. 11 Kansas State, and that cannot happen for a second consecutive week.
Quarterback Tyrone Swoopes needs to get his offense moving. It's probably not fair to put the blame solely on Swoopes since it takes a collective effort to not see the end zone for four quarters, but he is supposed to be the leader of the offense.
He has to show some leadership qualities on the road against Texas Tech.
Do Not Come Out Flat
Following the 23-0 loss to Kansas State, wide receiver John Harris admitted the team came out flat due to a lack of energy in the stadium.
But the Longhorns cannot rely on the opposing fanbase to get the team fired up. It's up to the players to create their own environment on the sideline and set the tone for the game.
Playing in Lubbock is not an easy task. The Texas Tech fans are loud, often throw tortillas onto the field and will verbally attack opposing teams from the stands. Texas has to be ready for this game and cannot afford to come out flat for the second straight week.
Texas Tech Keys to Victory
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Rebound from TCU
Texas Tech's keys to victory are going to look very similar to Texas' because both teams are coming off of embarrassing losses.
But the Red Raiders' loss looked much worse than the Longhorns'. Texas Tech picked up its fifth loss of the season in humiliating fashion last week.
The Red Raiders cannot let the TCU game beat them twice.
Texas Tech needs to be prepared to face an up-and-down Texas team in order to keep its bowl hopes alive.
Pressure Longhorns' Offensive Line
One of the biggest weaknesses on the Longhorns is the offensive line. Texas entered this season with the hopes of being a ground-and-pound team, but the offensive line has done little to open up holes for the running game.
Kansas State's defensive line manhandled the Longhorns throughout the entire game and held the running game to 94 total rushing yards.
The Red Raiders defense has not been great this season, but it will need to mimic the Wildcats' game plan and shut down the Longhorns run game.
Texas Players to Watch
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Defensive Tackle Malcom Brown
Junior defensive tackle Malcom Brown is putting together an All-American type of season for the Longhorns. The 6'2", 320-pound tackle has been one of the most dominant players on the Longhorns' line.
Brown leads Texas with 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
When No. 90 is on the field, opposing offenses should be shaking in their cleats.
Running Back Malcolm Brown
No, this is not the same Brown mentioned above. Senior running back Malcolm Brown has not had the type of season he may have anticipated during his final year as a Longhorn.
Brown leads the running backs with 417 yards and is averaging 52 yards per game, but the 5'11", 222-pound senior has not had a 100-yard game yet this season.
Saturday could very well be the day for a breakout performance.
Texas Tech's run defense is one of the worst in the FBS. The Red Raiders are allowing an average of 246 yards per game on the ground, which ranks the team at No. 118 in rushing defense.
Keep an eye on No. 28 when the Longhorns offense takes the field.
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Texas Tech Players to Watch
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Running Back DeAndre Washington
Texas Tech running back DeAndre Washington has the potential to be a dominant player Saturday. The 5'8", 200-pound junior leads the Big 12 with 699 rushing yards.
Washington has only seen the end zone once this season, but with quarterback Davis Webb's status up in the air, there's a chance Washington could receive a lot of carries against the Longhorns.
Linebacker Pete Robertson
Junior linebacker Pete Robertson's eight sacks place him at the top of the Big 12. The 6'3", 236-pound junior also leads his team with 58 tackles.
Texas Tech is coming off of an atrocious defensive performance where the Red Raiders gave up 785 yards and 82 points to TCU.
The Red Raiders will be looking to bounce back from the performance against the Horned Frogs, and Robertson could very well be one of the key players to watch Saturday.
What They're Saying
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Texas head coach Charlie Strong
"I look at their offense and Webb. Who knows if he is going to play or not, but we are going to approach like he is. He's a good passer and does a great job of standing there and throwing the football. I watched the West Virginia game numerous times. I think we're going to get the team that showed up against West Virginia, which played an outstanding game.
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Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury, via ASAP Sports
"They're a talented football team. I think you turn on the BYU game and then you turn on some of these later tapes, and they've improved tremendously on both sides of the ball. ... Very talented as always, and we'll need to play very well to compete with them."
Texas center Taylor Doyle on Texas Tech fixing defensive issues from TCU game
"I think their defense is going to be as motivated as ever. They're a great defense. We definitely have our hands full going in this week."
Texas Tech linebacker V.J. Fehoko on rebounding from TCU game, via ASAP Sports
"You don't ever want to let a team beat you twice, and our priority right now and our focus is on Texas. They're coming off of a shutout, which had not been done in nearly a decade, so they're going to be fired up. We need all the head starts we can get, and UT is our focus."
Prediction
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The Longhorns and the Red Raiders are both coming off of previous week losses and will look to seek revenge over one another.
Texas controls the series against Texas Tech and has won nine of the last 10 games.
Saturday will likely end with another W in the Longhorns' win column.
Even though the Longhorns are struggling to put together complete games, they should not have a problem taking down the Red Raiders.
Will it be a blowout? Probably not, but a burnt orange victory could very likely occur Saturday in Lubbock.
Texas 21, Texas Tech 10
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.
Taylor Gaspar is Bleacher Report's featured columnist covering the Texas Longhorns. Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Gaspar.
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