Oklahoma State won’t get an early start Saturday. The Cowboys and Texas Tech are set for a late-night Big 12 showdown at 8:30 p.m. in Boone Pickens Stadium, with both teams carrying plenty into Stillwater.
Texas Tech arrives at 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the Big 12, trying to protect its spot in the race for the Big 12 Championship Game. Oklahoma State comes in at 6-3 overall and 4-2 in league play, looking to climb back into the mix among the conference’s top teams.
The game will be shown on ESPN, with radio coverage on KXXY-FM 96.1. Oddsmakers have Oklahoma State as a 3-point favorite, and the over/under is 72.5.
This series has been tight over the years. Texas Tech owns a 25-24-3 edge all-time, while Oklahoma State has controlled things more often in Stillwater, where the Cowboys hold a 14-10 advantage.
Texas Tech’s biggest weapon is running back J’Koby Williams, who has turned into one of the league’s most dangerous big-play threats. He has gone for at least 160 rushing yards in three of his last four games and has ripped off runs longer than 40 yards in each of those contests. Williams ranks No. 4 in the Big 12 with 954 rushing yards.
The Red Raiders bring an offense built to survive a shootout, and this one has the look of exactly that kind of game. Texas Tech is coming off a 53-48 win against West Virginia, and while its defense has issues, it has also made enough winning plays to get the job done.
Oklahoma State’s path is pretty clear, too. Drew Mestemaker and the Cowboy offense should have chances to put up points against a Texas Tech defense that has been average. The Red Raiders are not the same team that won the Big 12 Championship last season, and they have already needed one-score escapes against Houston, Arizona and West Virginia.
Add in the setting - a home night game where Oklahoma State is 4-0 this season - and the Cowboys have an environment that could tilt things their way.
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