When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin
Records: Texas Tech (6-5, 3-5 Big 12); Texas (4-6, 3-4 Big 12)
Last meeting: Texas 34, Texas Tech 13 on Nov. 1, 2014.
TV: FOX Sports 1
What's on the line?
Texas Tech has another opportunity to check off an accomplishment the Red Raiders have not been able to pull off in some time. A road victory over the Longhorns would mark the first time the Red Raiders have won in Austin since 1997 and the days of Spike Dykes as head coach. Many times the Red Raiders have tried and failed but the inconsistent play of this year's Texas team has generated a positive feeling around Lubbock entering Thursday's contest.
A loss would not hurt Texas Tech as the Red Raiders are already guaranteed a spot in postseason play, but a loss for the Longhorns would certainly end their season. Texas needs to win its final two games against Texas Tech and Baylor in order to have a chance at participating in the upcoming bowl season. The Red Raiders could potentially notch their first road win over the Longhorns in nearly 20 years and end Texas' season with the same devastating blow.
When Texas Tech has the ball
Look for the Red Raiders to continue to do work senior running back DeAndre Washington in the trenches. Washington is coming off a career-best performance against Kansas State in which he rushed for 248 yards and 3 touchdowns. Texas Tech is going to continue to follow its reads and if the tackle box is consistently stacked in the trenches, the burden will fall on sophomore quarterback Patrick Mahomes to find favorable matchups to exploit in the passing game.
Mahomes will have extra incentive to be up for the challenge after being knocked out of last year's meeting between the two teams. Sophomore running back Justin Stockton has emerged as a favorable target for Mahomes and it'd be a safe bet to expect Stockton to catch at least a pass or two in the open field, with room to run. Stockton, Devin Lauderdale, Jakeem Grant, Ian Sadler and Reginald Davis will remain priority targets for Mahomes as they have been for most of the season.
When Texas has the ball
Don't expect much trickery outside of a few ball fakes. This Texas team has consistently looked to move the ball on the ground this season. The Longhorns have thrown only 8 touchdowns this season with 5 coming from freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard.
Don't expect a lot of scoring either, unless the Red Raiders fall into trouble defensively. Texas Tech possesses the second-worst scoring defense in the Big 12 and has allowed every conference opponent to score above its average this season. So where's the good news for the Red Raiders? The Longhorns own the conference's second-worst scoring attack, averaging 25 points per game on offense with only 28 touchdowns on the season.
Prediction
This will be a fun game to watch in the trenches. Texas Tech has allowed the third-fewest sacks in the Big 12 with a stout offensive line led by senior left tackle and two-time All-Big 12 selection Le'Raven Clark. While Texas averages a little over 3 sacks per game, led by senior linebacker and Skyline product Peter Jinkins and junior defensive tackle and Mansfield graduate Hassan Ridgeway. Something has to give.
Texas Tech's offensive success will be defined by the offensive line's ability to buy time for Mahomes and create space for Washington. Texas will look to have more bodies near the line of scrimmage to keep things muddied in the trenches. It will be a back-and-forth contest until the end unless Mahomes can find a way to get Sadler, Lauderdale, Davis and Grant involved early and often.
Score: Texas 34, Texas Tech 31
Twitter: @MikeDuPont_