Texas Tech vs. Texas: Preview and Prediction
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming Big 12 match up in our Texas Tech vs. Texas preview and prediction.
Game Info
2:30 p.m. Central Time, Saturday September 26th, 2020, Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, Texas.
TV: FOX
Texas Radio: Longhorn Radio Network
Texas Tech Radio: TTU Sports Network
Spread: Texas (-18)
Fun Fact: In the last 11 meetings, Texas is 9-2 against the Red Raiders.
Key Players
Texas
QB Sam Ehlinger
Sam had one heck of a first game against UTEP as he threw for over 400 yards and 5 touchdowns in the first half alone. More importantly, he looked comfortable in the new Mike Yurcich offense and made quick decisions in the passing game. Look for more of that again on Saturday in Lubbock.
WR Joshua Moore
Josh is maybe the Longhorns most explosive option at wide out and he displayed that when he took a short pass and took it over 70-yards a couple weeks ago. Even with Jake Smith coming back for Texas, I think Moore could be a key part of the Longhorns passing attack this weekend.
Safety Caden Sterns
If this game turns out the way I believe it will, Tech may be forced to throw the football and that will give Caden Sterns plenty of opportunities to make plays in the secondary.
Texas Tech
QB Alan Bowman
Alan threw the football 51 times against Houston Baptist and to be quite honest, I thought he looked just ok against much lower competition. However, I will give him a pass due to his lack of experience because over the past two seasons, he has missed a lot of time due to injury. Maybe he is still trying to get his feet back underneath him and used to HBU game to shake some rust off.
WR KeSean Carter
I know the Red Raiders have T.J. Vasher and Erik Ezukanma but I truly believe that KeSean can be Tech’s best wide receiver this season. He showed some explosiveness and he could be a deadly force to be reckoned with in the passing game.
Game Plan
Texas
I don’t think what Texas is going to do offensively is a big secret. Texas Tech gave up nearly 600 passing yards against Houston Baptist and I am sure offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich is smiling from ear to ear when he saw that. The Longhorns are going to give Sam Ehlinger the full green light and I expect wide outs Joshua Moore, Tarik Black and Jake Smith to get plenty of looks on Saturday.
Defensively, Texas is going to have to worry about the wide outs for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are not afraid to throw the football and they have playmakers on the outside to make some things happen. Fortunately for Texas, they have a good secondary and this will be a huge matchup to watch in this game, the Tech wide receivers against that Texas secondary.
Texas Tech
It would be wise of Texas Tech to play the clock game in this matchup but if the secondary gives up some big plays, then Alan Bowman will be forced to throw the football more than he should. And while Tech has the wide outs to make it work, I still worry about the consistency of Bowman who still has only played one game this season after missing nearly the entire 2019 season.
As for the defense, all eyes are on the secondary. There is no doubt that Texas will throw the ball to test out to see if the Red Raiders secondary learned anything from two weeks ago.
Prediction
Texas: 38 Texas Tech: 24
The Longhorns are just too talented and will overwhelm the Red Raiders, who continue the rebuilding process under Matt Wells. At every level, UT has the advantage and that will be shown on Saturday.
