The Texas Tech Red Raiders will take on the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 regular season opener for both teams on Nov. 26 in Lubbock.
It will be the end of a 14-week season and a Big 12 Conference Championship Game berth could be on the line.
Oklahoma is coming off an 11-2 season and a 7-2 Big 12 slate. But the Sooners failed to make it to the Big 12 championship game for the first time since reinstatement, and their season featured a major coaching transition.
Former head coach Lincoln Riley left the Sooners to take over USC, and the Sooners hired Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Vennells to take over. Venables was a former defensive coordinator at OU under Bob Stoops, the interim head coach for Somers’ Alamo Bowl victory over Oregon.
Texas Tech is coming off a tumultuous 7-6 season of its own. The Red Raiders fired Matt Wells last October and hired Baylor assistant coach Joey McGuire — a former Texas high school football coach — to take over the program. Former Red Raiders quarterback Sonny Cubmi took over the program on an interim basis and led them to the Liberty Bowl where they met former coach Mike Leach for the first time and beat Mississippi State 34-7.
Cumbie is now the head coach at Louisiana Tech. McGuire hired Western Kentucky offensive coordinator Zach Keightley for the same role at TTU, while he tapped well-regarded defensive mind Tim Deruiter to run the defense.
Now they are ours RedRaiderReview.com Staff predictions for the game.
Tim Hamm – Editor-in-Chief
Depending on how the season goes for Oklahoma, they may need a very impressive performance on the road against Tech. And if that’s the case, the Red Raiders could be in for some big old-fashioned Bart-Whippin’.
Oklahoma 51, Texas Tech 27
Cole Thompson – Reporter/Columnist
Oklahoma could be in the hunt to return to Arlington for the Big 12 Championship. Texas Tech is probably looking to be bowl eligible. No mercy given to the Sooners’ offense on Nov. 26 in Lubbock.
Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel ends this game in the third quarter.
Oklahoma 48, Texas Tech 20
Michael Gresser – Staff Secretary
This week could have big implications for both teams playing in Lubbock. Oklahoma may need to win to get to the Big 12 Championship. Texas Tech may need a win to become bowl eligible.
Oklahoma will play its best football this season. I believe there will be no game against the Red Raiders. Fortunately, I predict Tech will already be bowl eligible when the Sooners come to town. The Red Raiders put up an early fight, but the Sooners rallied in the second half to play for another Big 12 championship.
Oklahoma 40, Texas Tech 28
Connor Zimmerlee – Staff Writer
Texas Tech closes out its first season under Joey McGuire by welcoming Oklahoma to Lubbock. In last season’s matchup, the Red Raiders allowed 541 yards of total offense in a 52-21 loss to the Sooners.
The Red Raiders will keep this game close, however, not yet under McGuire. The Sooners will eventually pull away late, but don’t be surprised if this is a close game until the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma 38, Texas Tech 28
Matthew Postins – Staff Writer
This play is noteworthy because Joey McGuire worked for Dave Aranda at Texas Tech. But it would be unwise to call McGuire a disciple of Aranda. They didn’t work together long, and McGuire served as a bridge between Aranda and his predecessor, Matt Rule, the Texas high school coaches.
It’s also interesting to note that due to McGuire’s infectious energy, the Red Raiders are trying to rebuild quickly, with calculating behavior in tandem with Aranda Arif. Right now, Baylor is the more talented team and, frankly, the team with more experience in winning.
Bayer 34, Texas Tech 28
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