Red Raider Defense: Can They Stop The Sooners?

Texas Tech (10-0), for the fourth straight week, is widely considered the underdog in this week's match against Oklahoma (9-1).  But is the nation worried that the Sooner defense will prove to be too much for the Red Raider offense?  Doubtful.

The real culprit for the higher-ranked team being dubbed the underdog—again—is actually the match-up of Tech's defense against the potent Okie offense.  But this match-up should not be a concern for the Red Raiders, as they have proven throughout the season they are up to any task.

History

Texas Tech's defense has always had its ups and downs.  Despite their undefeated mark so far this season, the Red Raiders have had their issues stopping opponents.  Against Nevada (6-4) early in the season, Tech allowed 488 total yards and 19 points.

Against Eastern Washington (5-5), Tech allowed 341 passing yards and 24 points. Yes, I said Eastern Washington.  Why, you ask, am I telling you Tech's defense will help them win, when they have struggled against such questionable offenses?

These two examples, both Nevada and Eastern Washington, were Tech's first two games of the season, and TTU seems to have improved steadily on defense since then.  After the first two shaky games, Tech has only had one real defensive letdown, a high yardage allowance (471 total yards) to Nebraska (7-4), which led to an overtime win in Lubbock.

Texas Tech gave UT (9-1) its only loss this season in a thriller, and only allowed the Longhorns 374 total offensive yards.  Oklahoma State (9-2) only racked up 368 yards and Kansas (6-5) 315 yards.

Current Variables

Tech's secondary, led by Darcel McBath, has 16 interceptions in 10 games this year, two returned for touchdowns.  OU has not played a team that flies around in the secondary ball-hawking like the Red Raiders, but Bradford and company have thrown seven picks so far (one by the backup, Halzle).  Watch for McBath and the Tech secondary to catch at least two interceptions and bat several balls down.

While games can be won in the trenches, look for Tech's underrated defensive line to hold the OU blockers up, and then push them back as the game goes on.

Against Ranked Opponents

The TTU defense appears to step up in intensity as the games get more important. 

Tech averages 52 versus 25 in its games against ranked opponents while OU averages 38 versus 40.  Tech scores two touchdowns more against ranked defenses, and allows two touchdowns less against BCS-ranked offenses as well.  OU can't outplay a four touchdown swing.

Layoff

The last question on peoples' minds about this huge game: will the layoff hurt Texas Tech's chances of going undefeated?  Will they be able to kick the rust off after taking a one-week breather?

The best answer I can give...  Oklahoma took this same week off.  Any chances of harming Tech's game is offset by the sediment OU may have accumulated as well.

Prediction

So what does all this mean?  This all means that Texas Tech will win the game this Saturday, November 22 in Norman, Oklahoma.  And my thinking is that they will win this game by quite a bit, 46-32, thanks to their usual highlight reel of an offense, and a smart defensive scheme that will keep OU from running wild on them.