Texas Tech Preview: A Week in Advance

The number 25 Oklahoma State Cowboys open Big 12 Conference play next week against the Red Raiders of Texas Tech in a Thursday night clash on ESPN. Oklahoma State will be facing a tough challenge against a Texas Tech team coming off a loss to Arkansas. It was a game where the Red Raiders went point for point with the SEC foe in the first half before succumbing to the Razorbacks ground attack in the second. The Cowboys should start off conference play with a win, but they must do one thing right: run the football effectively.

Last week against Texas Tech, we saw Arkansas running back Alex Collins run for 212 yards and 2 touchdowns, and running back Jonathan Williams run for 145 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Razorbacks were able to hand the ball off play after play, gaining four or five yards on nearly every attempt. In order to see a Cowboy's victory, Mike Gundy and his staff need to follow a similar approach. With quarterback Daxx Garman low on experience and a veteran at the running back spot, a ground heavy attack is the way to go against this Texas Tech team.

Pressuring Texas Tech quarterback Davis Webb early and often will also be huge for the Cowboys. Webb is a young quarterback coming into a hostile Thursday night road game. Receiving constant pressure from the Oklahoma State front seven, along with a loud Cowboy crowd, will get into the head of the sophomore quarterback. If the Cowboys can stay on top of Davis Webb and run the ball straight at the Red Raider defense, fans will see 1-0 in the conference column for Oklahoma State.

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