Red Raiders to be Tested at Owen Field

NORMAN, Okla. -- Texas Tech has the early lead in the Big 12, having won the only conference game so far.

But the comeback Red Raiders' status in the Big 12 South is going to get a quick test. On the first Saturday in October, the first full weekend of league play, they are a nearly four-touchdown underdog when they go to No. 2 Oklahoma (3-0).

Texas Tech (3-1) scored 26 straight points to win the league opener 31-30 over Kansas on Saturday. That came a week after the Red Raiders overcame a 21-0 deficit to beat TCU 70-35.

``They've always got the capability of coming back and making it a game,'' Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jason White said. ``If we have the opportunity to get up, we just have to keep going and keep scoring points.''

Sooner Gameday Central: Texas Tech

In other Big 12 openers Saturday, No. 5 Texas (3-0) is home against Baylor (2-1); No. 25 Oklahoma State (3-0) hosts Iowa State (2-1); Colorado (3-0) goes to Missouri (2-1); and Kansas State (2-2) is at Texas A&M (2-1). Kansas (2-2), goes to Nebraska (2-1).

Oklahoma is the Big 12's top scoring team with 45 points a game, a touchdown more than the Red Raiders average. And the Sooners are one of eight teams coming off an off date following non-conference play.

The Sooners have a 9-2 series lead, with four straight victories. Oklahoma beat Texas Tech 56-25 last year after a 60-15 victory in 2002 when the South Division title was at stake.

Colorado made it through non-conference play undefeated for the first time in coach Gary Barnett's six seasons.

Missouri suffered a shocking loss at fledgling Division I-A team Troy State last month. That was also an early blow to the Heisman hopes of Brad Smith, but that doesn't ease Colorado's concerns of stopping the dual-threat quarterback.

``Smith just gives you headaches in trying to figure out what to do,'' said Barnett, who's 5-0 vs. his alma mater. ``You can probably overcoach all that stuff and overdo it, so the bottom line is you just have to go out and play.''

Texas coach Mack Brown insisted this week that Baylor is the most improved team since the first week of the season. He warned that the Bears' passing attack will test his secondary and his defensive line.

The reality is that the Longhorns have outscored Baylor 256-24 the past five meetings. Three were shutouts, including 56-0 last year.

With the nation's leading rusher Vernand Morency (187 yards per game, 7.4 per carry), Oklahoma State has become a run-heavy offense. The Cowboys average 334 yards rushing a game, running nearly six times as often as they throw the ball (181 rushing plays, 31 passing).

While Iowa State has struggled at times defensively, the Cyclones have allowed just 79 yards rushing per game.

Texas A&M's defense has made strides toward regaining its ``Wrecking Crew'' moniker. But after allowing just six points their past two games, the Aggies have to deal with K-State running back Darren Sproles, who's piling up 183 rushing and a nation's-best 250 all-purpose yards per game.

Nebraska has won 35 straight games over Kansas, the nation's second-longest streak of one team beating another -- Notre Dame has 40 straight wins over Navy.

``It's historic, and it's obviously a tradition, and it's one that's respected by all of us,'' said first-year Nebraska coach Bill Callahan. ``We hope we can add to that.''

Callahan is the Cornhuskers' fourth coach since the 35-year dominance began. Mark Mangino is Kansas' eighth.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Red Raiders to be Tested at Owen Field

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