TTU is averaging 47.2 points a game while allowing an average of 22.2 points per game. OU is averagIng 51.4 points per game while allowing 23.6 points per game. The deciding factor could very well be the fact this game will be played in Norman Oklahoma. The fact I am a Lubbock resident has me hoping Tech pulls off the win in Norman...but the realist in me knows that it will be very difficult to pull off. UT beat OU by 10..UT beat OSU by 4..Tech beat UT by 6 and destroyed OSU by 36. I think the numbers angle favors Tech..but that home field advantage will be a bear to get around. I REALLY want Tech to beat OU..would probably pass out if they do. Either way the game has all the makings of yet another classic....rivaling the UT game. GO TECH....THERES 201,000 PAIRS OF GUNS UP IN THIS TOWN!

This game could rival the OU Nebraska game "of the Century" and like that game could decide the Heisman winner. If OU wins, they lose out to the Orangehorns for the South title? {providing they also beat State} Who the hell does the BCS think it is? I don't think it's a godd@#n human...Whoever wins the South, UT,OU or Tech deserves it.

Does defense even exist in the Big 12? I predict the TT vs OU game will end up 92-88, and that's not an exaggeration!
And when the NC game comes into the picture, the winner of the SEC will be KING once again, because they can play
defense.

It is easy to play defense when the offenses stink. Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt lack the ability to consistently move the ball. Georgia and Kentucky combined for more than 80 points yesterday.
When people say the SEC plays defense, those people are simply ignorant of what offense looks like.
Caption to the Harrell photo: "Yes, I am a douche. Thanks for asking"

Matt, let me see if we can have the bandwagon circle back to pick you up. It may be full since it stopped by here a couple of weeks ago............I checked and they said they have room of any small school fan who longed for this type of season for their school. Welcome aboard.
Tech's Oline and Dline is better than OUs. That usually makes the difference in these affairs.

I watched Jarrett Lee and thought I was watching a middle school QB. The SEC has one team, UF, and that one team will be in the MNC game.

Yes defense exists in the big 12. The SEC hasnt faced any offenses like the one Alabama/Florida will likely face in the bcs championship game. The offenses TTU and OU field are by far the scariest. The bulk of the points OU has been giving up has been in the second half when the out come of the gane has been decided (the past couple of games anyway). Tech's offense has been on the verge for a few years now and became scary when they developed their running threat. Tech has been primarily a passing team ever since Leach came to town,but most defensive coordinators knew they could play pass defense withas many people as they wanted to because Tech could not and would not attempt to run the ball. This year Tech has forced opposing teams to respect the fact they have two backs capable of taking it to the house if they put too many DB's out on the field. OSU and UT played to a 28 to 24 score..a more "SEC" type of score and you see what happened last night at Jones AT&T Stadium. I say there are defenses in the Big 12..I am just convinced the offenses are that much more prolific than the offenses in other leagues. Just think back a few years ago..the natinal title game..UT and USC..last team with the ball won..the same type of mentality exhibited today in the Big 12. The game is changing..limited scholarships..parity..grades...the dynasty era is taking a direct hit. Ever stop to wonder why Florida State and the University of Miami suddenly look average? How about Nebraska?. The fact of the matter is some kids are staying closer to home and kids with questionable academic sills are being left out due to NCAA rules governing academic scores. The economy dictates a lot in this. Sure anyone can get a full ride scholarship..but what about the family of that recruit?. The point of all of this is...There are pockets of talent in the USA..Texas...California..Florida. Oklahoma is close enough to attract Texas players. Florida has seen the development of once unknown colleges like UCF,USF and FAU that spreads their talent base out further than just UM,FSU,and FU once you factor in the smaller number of scholarships allowed each school..the talent has to go somewhere. Todays young athlete is bigger,stronger,and faster than in years past. It appears there is a growing number of coaches willing to place their better athletes on offense and challenge their opponents to stop their offense. I like defensive games as well as anyone..but I think those days are going away slowly but surely.

Oklahoma State's defense is 84th in the nation, I'm just saying

Yes Dave..84th in the nation (according to todays paper their defense is ranked 64th but we wont go there)....now open those eyes and that mind and look at where the Big 12 offenses are ranked and do some math. Now...today when you are watching the NFL on tv..watch New Englands offense very carefully. I have watched a couple of New England games (they dont show too many down here in West Texas) and I have seen several offensive sets that look eerily similar to some of the formations Texas Tech uses. Ever wonder why Wes Welker has flourished up in New England? Like I stated..the game is changing before our very eyes..life is on a constant cycle..so are sports. Every team has its day...every coach has that special season..ever offensive scheme has its run.the same can be said for defenses. The run and shoot was the rage back in the day but it leveled off. The west coast offense made its run..and now the spread and its plethora of variations is in the spotlight. Times are constantly changing and it usually leaves a lot of us behind..I say that because I too still think defense wins titles..but I am starting to see the advantage to being able to out run and out gun a defense. When you put a QB and five to six receivers on the field each capable of catching the ball and taking it to the end zone..you stretch defenses to it breaking point...not a huge fan of it myself..but it appears to be working. I dont even keep track of stats and offensive or defensive rankings any more..too skewed..and they dont tell the entire story anymore. The only numbers that tell the truth are the final scores. Is Texas Tech the best team or the second best in the country? Thats highly debatable there are teams in other conferences that might be able to beat TTU or Alabama...but those are match ups we'll never see.

I agree with Jimmy J that as good as Tech looks, winning in 2 weeks in Norman is a lot to ask. Not impossible, but I'm sure OU will be favored by 5-7 points by the bookies. I almost wish that they didn't have the week off, because Tech is on such an incredible roll right now, but maybe that gives Tech more time to prepare for a difficult road game and OU more time to get cocky. Irony is that even if Tech loses, OU has to play OSU in Stillwater the following week and OSU has been a pain the arse to OU the last few years, and if OSU can win that one then Tech still wins the South provided they dispatch Baylor.
Damn they were fun to watch last night. Harrell looked at times like he was knew that he could not be sacked, and he was toying with OSU, especially on the goal line when he pulled all the shenanigans before going under center, taking 3 steps back and throwing the perfect fade to Crabtree - shades of Peyton Manning in his prime. A lot is made of Crabtree and he is All-American caliber but Tech's receiver corps is so good and so deep and they complement each other well that you can't focus on Crabtree like Tech did on Dez Bryant. But if Tech beats OU it will be because of their O-line. Scary to look at and scary good. OU will score more than OSU's 20 points but they may need 50 or more to win.
I am a UT fan first but Tech is a close second, I used to live in Lubbock and despite having a degree from UT have actually been to more Tech games. I can only imagine the atmosphere there the last 2 weeks. Whatever happens in Norman in 2 weeks, this is a breakthrough year for Tech. If Tech beats OU then Harrell should start making room at his parents' house for a nice new trophy. Jimmy J, you guys enjoy your day in the sun. Harrell and Crabtree will be gone but with Leach and McNeil there the program is in good hands, and Leach is just the kind of guy that would rather stay there and be king for life than get lured away by more money.
And I hope Alabama wins the SEC, because I think Leach actually prefers being No. 2 in the polls, except the last one of course.

Thanks Steve G..the game in Norman promises to be a barn burner for sure. Leach seems to have problems in Norman..but Stoops has similar issues in Lubbock. I wouldnt be surprised to see both teams in the 60's..but I really figure this game will be more like the UT score. I'm thinking a score like 38 to 32..and I am open minded enough to say it could go either way. Techs defense has a way of taking away the opposing teams #1 wide out forcing their opponent to go one dimensional. Thats what they did to UT and OSU and it worked. I think OU can get caught in the same trap but the fact this will happen in Norman makes it harder to pull off..not impossible..just more difficult. This run reminds me a lot of the run the Lady Raiders pulled off back in 1992/1993..no one had heard of them..no one gave them a snowballs chance..yet they did it anyway. The Raiders have the tools to do it..but it is a game played by young men who can still vapor lock at any moment. Leach appears to have their minds set on the right path....hopefully they can keep it up for the next month. I'm pulling for them..I am skeptical..but I want them to pull it off so bad

Come on. everybody knows by now alabaqma and texas tech will not make it to the national championship. It will be Texas and Florida. this how it will happend. Alabama will lose to Florida in the sec championship. Texas tech will lose to Oaklahoma after there bye. And Texas Will! beat Missouri in the Big 12 championship. Now it may not look like it but Texas will win the national championship. Because you saw what theu did to USC in there last Championship. Hook 'em Horns!!!!!!!!

WOW. If nothing else TT football is dam sure entertaining TT is for real. I am a die hard U.T fan and bleed burnt orange, but above all i am a football fan. TT has the best team in the nation right now. It was a hard game to watch, hopping OSU wins so UT can move up, but then that would mean I'm cheering for an Oklahoma team, which as a UT fan would mean i would be cast into hell at any time, and at the same time cheering for TT cuz they have a dam fine football team, and they are from Texas!! Good football is good football. In my opinion,I don't think that the SEC can come close to competing with the Big12 this year, whether it be UT , OSU, TT, or OU. Bama has a great team, as does LSU, Florida, but those guys see the high-lites to. Big12 football best in the land.

There's plenty of ammunition for both sides of the SEC v. Big 12 debate in the NC, notwithstanding that the argument is premature in any event. SEC homers should concede that SEC defenses are, in the aggregate, not AS dominating as in years past. The Big 12 loyalist should likewise concede that this conference lacks any formidable defenses (OU is the top-ranked unit at #51).
Naturally, the Big 12 offenses are good enough to skew the defenseive stats in this conference. However, when you remove the elite clubs of the conference from the equation, it becomes evident that Big 21 defenses are sub-par. For example, Ou has allowed the point totals against teams that are NOT TT, UT, Okie St., or Mizzou in its last 3 games: 28, 28, 35.
Likewise, Okie State was horrible-no pass rush, lack of speed in the secondary, and overall inept. The SEC, converesely, fields 5 of the top 25 defenses in the Country. It is fair to say that T.Tech would not put up the video game #'s against most SEC units, including SEC afterthoughts, South Carolina, LSU, and Auburn (not to mention 'Bama and UF). The difference between the 2 conferences is in the line of scrimmage, as I believe UF or Bama could pressure Harrel/Bradfor/McCoy. Naturally, when they fail, the Big 12 offenses will make them pay.
Irrespective, if OU wins in 2 week the point becomes moot because it pushes UT into the title game.
Also of relevance is that as strong as the Big 12 South is this year (which is very), the North ihas been commensurately weak. This means the Big 12 title game should be a wholly 1-sided affair which in turn means that the Big 12 South winner is the de facto representative of the conference in the BCS. As such, there are no relistic hopes for the 2 teams that miss out on the title shot, which really is unforttunate because a TT/UT ot UT/OU rematch would be tremendous.
All told, Florida appears to be a much more complete team that any of the Big 12 juggernauts right now-but not so much better that they would be a presumptive favorite over any of the Big 3 of the Big 12.
Final thought-Okie St. caught UT in a perfect situation, which likely made that game much closer than it would otherwise would have been. After watching Okie St. last night, it is evident that they do not have the top-to-bottom athletes necessary to defeat any of the top 5 teams (the 3 Big 12 behemoths and the 2 SEC elite).

Bigfan, you may be right about Florida beating Alabama. Actually that would be my pick. That is more likely than the Raiders getting beat, imo. Use the same reasoning as what has been the pattern in this blog: Defense AND OFFENSE win championships now. Florida has the offense. Alabama struggled offensively yesterday against a defense that was absolutely shredded by Georgia and Florida.
You gotta have playmakers and score early and often. This isn't 1970's Texas vs. Notre Dame or Ohio St vs. Michigan anymore. By that yardstick, it's Florida clearly from the SEC and whoever wins the Big 12 South. And as I mentioned, Tech could get bailed out even after losing to OU. Don't forget, out of the top 4 in the Big 12 South, who have only lost games to one of the others, OU is the only one that hasn't played more than one of the other 3 to date, and they lost to UT at a neutral site.
It is OK, keep on talking trash about how Tech isn't worthy. They thrive on it.

wake up bigfan55. The ONLY way UT makes it to the Big 12 championship game is if OU AND Baylor beat Tech unless I am mistaken the first tie breaker is head to head. A tie between UT and TTU would go to TTU since TTU won 39 to 33..remember? A tie between OU and UT sends UT to the big game IF Baylor beats TTU..which could happen but is highly unlikely..Baylor comes to Lubbock. I dont even think UT comes out on top in case of a three way tie at the end of the season for the same head to head reasoning. OU still has to face OSU and we all know how that rivalry goes. IF OSU upsets OU and OU does beat TTU..we're back to that rotten old head to head deal once again. Definitely a confusing mess but OU beating TTU isnt a sure fire pass to the championship game for UT..I do believe points scored would play into that one..which means the highest points scored combine in all games..which right now plays into OU's hand. UT didnt impress me THAT much. They are an outstanding team..credit is given where credit is due. But it looks to me like if you shut Shipley down and pop Colt in the mouth a few times..the wheels fall off. Baylor beat the living crap out of Colt for a while in the first half yesterday and Baylor scored two TDs to tie it up toot sweet. Baylor didnt have the guns to keep up for the long haul but they will soon. UT is good..but too one dimensional to win it all this year. Hopefully thats not too difficult to understand...but UT is on the outside looking in for now..OU is steering the ship right now..TTU controls its own destiny. IF OU does win..I'm sure the experts will start explaining the tie breaker scenarios out there..and its liable to start this week since both teams are off this coming week..this is too good a story for ESPN to let it lie

I am a Bama fan but I am fallin' in "love" with Tex Tech and Graham. I love that team. I watched them beat Texas in a great game last week and now this over OKU. I don't know what to say except that I will keep watching and when it comes time for them to face Oklahoma..a single game points record will be set. Both have awesome offenses but I think Tex Tech will prevail. Even if Alabama loses and doesn't make it to the NC..I wanna see Tech and Graham in it. The Big 12 does have the better conference this year IMO. Fla. can stack up with any of those teams offensively tho. Bama would have hard time containing those offenses from Tech, Oklahoma, and maybe Texas. I want Graham's cell# :).

Jimmy J you lost me. But maybe I'm wrong; if so correct me. I don't see where OU is steering the ship. You Tech fans need to have faith!
Scenario 1: Tech beats OU. No tiebreaker needed (unless they fall to Baylor, and since they beat UT they win it anyway).
Scenario 2: OU beats Tech and OSU, Tech beats Baylor, UT wins out. Three way tie which I heard is broken by the BCS rankings - is that still so?. I don't have a vote there, but I would vote for UT in that case since their only loss was in the Jones snakepit on a near miracle play after making a heroic comeback after playing OU, Missouri, and OSU in successive games - quite a gauntlet to run. OU's only loss would have been after getting knocked out in crunch time to UT, a 14-point loss at a neutral site. Big difference. Since Tech would have lost last and they are the new kids on the block they have no chance.
Scenario 3 (not implausible at all!): Tech loses to OU and beats Baylor, OU then loses to OSU in Stillwater and UT wins out. Then you have your 2-way tie which Tech wins based on head to head.
All other scenarios aren't even considered since I can't picture Texas losing to Kansas or A&M (not this year, the Aggies are looking like a sorry lot and UT has to be sick of them). UT is in the mix no matter what.
Correct me if I am wrong about the 3-way tiebreaker.
Disagree about Colt. If OU beats Tech McCoy gets my vote for the Heisman. He doesn't have the recieivers, O-line or even running game that Tech has. Tech popped him good and he got up and did everything you could ask to beat them. If Tech beats OU Harrell gets it hands down.
Another BCS championship scenario: Opposing QB's both have Heisman Trophies. The media will be so excited they will have to wear Depends. That will be a first. Any game not between a Big 12 team and an SEC team would be a travesty.

The way I see this (OU steering the ship) is OU can throw this thing into a wild spin. I personally think Tech can beat OU based on he fact OU's defense has that same snowballs chance of slowing TTU down. But IF OU plays lights out football they can turn the race upside down..thus the steering remark. I have heard the bcs rankings as a tie breaker as well and while I think that is a bogus tie breaker you could be right. I'm not sure to be honest. Why is it bogus? Texas Tech is not SUPPOSE to be here..they arent the "elite" team that UT or OU is thought to be. The Raiders arent going to get an ounce of love from any of the voters or the computers IF they lose at Norman. I think proof of this will play out when the polls get released later today. Tech beat UT and UT fell..what..4 places? Tech beat OSU and I'm figuring they will fall 10 to 12 spots in the polls. Again..OSU isnt suppose to be there either. Yes I know they have two losses but their fall will be greater than if it was UT or OU that had those same two losses. IF Tech loses at Norman they will most likely drop out of the top ten. If Tech does win at Norman OU wont drop more than 5 places in the polls. Dont think so? You nailed it yourself when you said that you'd give your vote to UT if Tech loses at Norman. Tech is the proverbial fly in the ointment as far as the sports writers and coaches are concerned and one stumble will spell disaster for the Raiders despite winning that game at the "snakepit". On the same subject..didnt Tebow win the heisman with two losses last year..as an underclassman? So why would one loss place Colt over Graham? Same deal...Colt plays at UT..Graham plays at TTU..the same old suppose to be there deal. If you are right it wont be any skin off my nose. We have come to expect that sort of treatment..we know the pain of not living on I-35..beinf judged purely on the basis of head to head competiton would shock the living crap out of us folks out here on the flat lands of West Texas. The earth and stars have to align perfectly for anything good to happen out here....while those on I-35 are forgiven without hesitation

I understand what Crabree means with nothing matters as long as Tech is 10-0 but what is with this ranking system. Tech beats A&M and goes down in the ranking; however, Alabama beats unranked Kentucky by 3, Mississippi by 4 and goes to the top of the pole. This past weekend, Alabama beats #15 by 6 in overtime and Tech destroys Ok State (#8) and they remain #2 and the sports writers say its because Penn State lost. Come on guys, give the Red Raiders the respect they deserve. They have beat a #1, #18 and #6. Thats better than Alabama's # 6, which isn't even ranked now, #3 that is now in the lower 10 and #15.
Bring on the competition. Go Raiders.

I just like the way this is starting to pan out?
First, they had 6 of the Big12 schools in the top 20 more than any other conference!
Second, at least 4-5 of them were in the Big 12 south and 4-5 of them have been in the top 10 all season!
So to me they have the strength of schedule!
Now where in timbucktoo do they get off trying to put these other schools up there!
It took an overtime for Alabama to win
Florida lost to Mississippi which was and still is an unranked team
The only reason USC is getting so much hype now is there are more writers in California that can vote!

After watching Alabama stink it up last night, there's no way Tech is not the number one team in the country this week. Florida beats Alabama for sure. Championship game is between Florida and the Big 12 champion, probably Tech. I'm a Longhorn fan, so I'd rather see UT go to the championship, but I'd happily settle for being the 2nd Big 12 BCS choice. I'd just love to see Tech versus Florida, head to head. What an awesome game!
The people who continue to say the Big 12 has no defense, reality check. The SEC has no offense. Florida aside, the SEC is not all that good this year. Sorry, guys. Tennessee lost to Wyoming. How many good teams does the SEC have? Florida is great, Alabama is pretty good. That's it. Better luck next year.

Alabama is a joke, and so is the entire SEC. Sitting in the stands waiting for the routing to begin last night, we we all watching the LSU bama game, and wow. Both offeneses had absolutely no clue what to do, and no that was not because of defense. They just looked stupid. I really even though i go to tech, dont care which of the big 12 south teams gets into the championship game, although it shoudl be tech. The reason is because any big 12 team will murder whatever SEC team is in the championship game. it wont even be close, and then maybe the reporters and everyone in the nation will give just a smidgeon of respect to the much deserving Red Raiders. Also i thought it hilarious that when the so highly ranked Penn State lost to their first team, which happened to be the first decent team they played since Ohio State. They had such a crea-puff schedule its was such a joke. And yes that brings me to the cream-puff schedule that tech had at the beginning of the year, but its not any more, and it looks as though they are doing just fine. And my lasst point, I could be mistaken but i beleive McCoy had a total of about 16 yards when he played Tech, who according to the SEC butt buddies has no defense, so if you are saying that McCoy deserves the Heisman, and hes just the best ever, then i believe that would mean that... oh no... the Big 12 even has good defense to go along with that stellar offense. Darn! looks like your argument sucked. The only reason that the Big 12's defense is ranked so low is because they play the BEST offenses in the nation, which i believe will cause you to give up a few points.. Ok im done

another addition to my SEC has no offense point. Both bamas qb didnt complete half of his passes, which in my eyes says he cant pass to save his life, along with the 4.6 yds/carry of their running back. Lets compare to Harrell. whom yesterday threw 2 times more passes than that of bamas qb, completed 80% of his passes, as well as both of our running backs averagivng more than 7 yds/carry. Man I lvoe to be right