Oklahoma-Texas Tech: No. 5 Sooners Look to Rope No. 2 Raiders into Submission

Norman—When you hear the words "Oklahoma" and "rivalry" in the same sentence, you think about Nebraska or Oklahoma State, even Texas maybe. However, I bet you won't think of Texas Tech.

However, since 1992 (did not play each other in 1995) in their first ever matchup, a 34-9 win in Lubbock for Oklahoma, the Red Raiders and Sooners have scratched and clawed through each other for supremacy.

Since the formation of the Big 12 conference in 1996, Oklahoma holds an 8-4 advantage with an 11-4 all time record over Tech, including a 41-10 John Hancock Bowl win in 1993.

Last season Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma 34-27 in Lubbock, when Sam Bradford was knocked out of last year's matchup with a concussion in the first quarter, and Graham Harrell threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third as Texas Tech scored 27 straight first-half points.

Harrell finished with 420 yards passing, and the Red Raiders limited DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown to 126 combined rushing yards and no scores.

Michael Crabtree, Harrell's favorite receiver, had eight catches for 89 yards and three touchdowns Nov. 8, his 13th straight game with a scoring reception. The sophomore, who's 28 receiving yards shy of 3,000 heading into his 24th game, had 12 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown last season in the victory over the Sooners.

But this year Tech is at a disadvantage playing in Norman.

Tech has only one win in the Sooner Nation, a 22-12 decision in 1996.  The Red Raiders had a chance to win the South division title in 2002, only to be knocked from contention via a 60-15 Sooners rout in Norman.

Texas Tech is 1-6 at Oklahoma.

This season's anticipated matchup will have a lot on the line.

The No. 2 Red Raiders can clinch their first Big 12 South Division title and take another big step toward a BCS berth with a win against Oklahoma, which is also battling for the division crown and a spot in the BCS.

"I'm thinking about OU, that's what I'm thinking about," Crabtree said, dismissing the bigger BCS picture. "We take it one game at a time. It's been working so far, and I think I'm going to stay with that scheme."

"I think we're just so focused and done such a good job of being prepared that I don't think there's any chance of that happening," said Red Raiders lineman Ross Ryland, when asked if the bye week would lead to a rusty performance as they continue to navigate through arguably the nation's toughest conference.

"We just got to keep it going."

Led by Heisman hopeful Graham Harrell, who has directed coach Mike Leach's pass-happy offense to a Football Bowl Subdivision-best 433.7 passing yards per game, the Red Raiders are third in scoring at 47.9 points a contest. They've gained at least 421 yards in every game and lead the FBS in average total yards at 566.3.

"The guy has a thorough understanding in everything they do to the point he can go blindfolded and point out every receiver on every route," Sooners coach Bob Stoops said of Harrell.

"He has excellent feet in the pocket to keep himself alive on the play and throw on the run. When he has what he likes, he rarely is not going to be on the mark."

Oklahoma also has a Heisman candidate on its side in Sam Bradford, who is directing the third-most proficient offense in passing yards per game (355.5) and total yards (549.8).

"He's got the size and the arm and makes good decisions back there," said Texas Tech safety Daniel Charbonnet of Bradford.

As potent as Texas Tech's offense is, it may be meeting its equal in Oklahoma's.

The Sooners have scored at least 35 points in all 10 games, but they have really stepped it up offensively since a 45-35 loss to Texas on Oct. 11, averaging 57.3 points and 590.8 yards during a four-game winning streak.

DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown each ran for 100 yards against Texas A&M, and they've combined for 1,586 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. Juaquin Iglesias has team highs of 51 receptions and 853 yards, while Manuel Johnson, Jermaine Gresham, and Ryan Broyles each have at least 30 catches, 500 yards, and five TDs

"We are really balanced with our running and passing games," Bradford said. "Our attitude is better this year. There is a different mindset with this team. We still have a lot of our goals in front of us."

Those goals are a Big 12 Championship and a possible BCS berth.

In order to reach the Big 12 Championship, Oklahoma, fifth in the BCS, needs to win its two remaining games and have Texas lose its last game in order to claim the Big 12 South division.

Texas Tech (10-0, 6-0) is trying to go 11-0 for the first time, including a win in Norman.

Mike Leach, who served as offensive coordinator under Stoops at Oklahoma in 1999 before taking over the Red Raiders, has never won in four trips to Norman as Texas Tech coach.