Texas Football vs Texas Tech: Week 10 Schedule, Preview, and Prediction
By Tyler Brett
Texas football goes back out on the road in Week 10 looking to fix their woes away from home. The Longhorns (4-4, 2-3 Big 12) travel to Lubbock to face Texas Tech (4-4, 2-3). This should be a high-scoring game with both teams taking advantage of favorable matchups. Both teams need this win to help salvage their chances at bowl eligibility and will bring their best efforts to secure the win.
Where to Watch
Saturday, November 5, 11:00 AM CT, FS1
What to Watch For
Nobody in college football has been as prolific in the passing game as Texas Tech. The Air Raid attack is averaging an FBS-best 500.6 yards passing per game this season. They will attack Texas secondary, which has been one of the weakpoints of the defense this season.
Patrick Mahomes has enjoyed a breakout seasons so far, throwing for 3,519 yards and 28 touchdowns so far this season. He currently leads the nation in passing, averaging 439.9 yards per game through the air, nearly 75 yards more per game than the second leading passer in FBS. Even working through an injured shoulder, Mahomes has been efficient and prolific at a break-neck pace.
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As good as Mahomes and the passing attack has been, the Tech defense has been as bad. They rank last in the Big 12 in total defense, allowing 518.4 yards and 41.4 points per game. They’ve struggled particularly against the run, allowing a Big 12-worst 5.41 yards per carry and 21 touchdowns while allowing 213.8 yards per game.
That combination should lead to a shootout. Texas’ secondary struggles to contain the pass and D’Onta Foreman has been unstoppable in the running game. Both teams should be able to run their offenses effectively, meaning it will likely come down to whichever team avoids the “big” mistake.
Keys to Victory
- Feed D’Onta Foreman – Foreman is in the middle of a historic run. He’s rushed for over 100 yards in nine straight games, including 250 and two touchdowns last week against Baylor. There is no doubt that he’s capable of carrying this Texas offense and he should find plenty of running room against a porous Tech rush defense.
- Disrupt Patrick Mahomes – If Mahomes is comfortable in the pocket, he will shred this Texas secondary. Since Charlie Strong took over defensive play calling, the Horns have improved defensively in getting after quarterbacks and creating turnovers. They currently lead the Big 12 in sacks and have forced 10 turnovers in the last four games. Getting to Mahomes, forcing turnovers and creating sacks will be key for Texas in this game.
- Limit Mental Errors – This game figures to be a back and forth affair. Texas has to avoid mistakes that will undercut their effort. This includes penalties that could kill drives or costly turnovers to give away field position. Defensively, they must be on top of their assignments and communicate effectively to avoid blown coverages. If they can do that, Texas has the firepower to win this shootout.
Prediction
Texas comes into the game as a four-point favorite. They’ve yet to win on the road this season but won big the last time they went into Lubbock, 34-13, in 2013. The Horns are riding some positive momentum, winning two of their last three, and are playing well enough to finally get their first win away from DKR.
Texas 45, Texas Tech 35