Red Raiders, Sooners set to clash in Norman

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Titanic clashes have become old hat for Texas Tech.

Taking down Texas and Oklahoma State in back-to-back weeks, thus vaulting itself to No. 2 in the BCS, has given Tech oodles of respect. But now the Red Raiders must win once more to solidify their ranking, and this mammoth match-up doesn’t take place in west Texas.

On Saturday, coach Mike Leach’s team travels to Norman to face coach Bob Stoops’ Sooners in the biggest game of the week and the most important game left for each squad.

An Oklahoma win would create a three-team logjam with Texas at the top of the Big 12 South. A Tech win means it only has to beat Baylor and Missouri to play in the national championship.

That’s a nice idea for Leach, but to make it happen his team must end the nation’s longest home winning streak and beat Stoops at Owen Field for just the third time in his career. Asked about his stellar home record, Stoops focused the attention on his team, rather than the fans.

“I think maybe just our overall focus and play are the biggest reasons,” Stoops said. “I don’t think we’ve ever been known to have an overly ruckus crowd.”

The comment caused a mild ruckus among OU fans, but nothing Stoops could say would deter Sooner fans from turning out in droves or cheering wildly.

Leach said it’s hard to argue with Oklahoma’s numbers at home, but like Stoops he’d prefer to focus on the players. One player, in particular.

Leach recruited Sooner quarterback Sam Bradford out of high school and said he’s not surprised by his success.

“He was a really nice individual that I was impressed with,” Leach said. “It’s good to see him do well.”

Bradford’s numbers suggest he’s doing more than well — 3,406 yards, 38 touchdowns — but so is Tech gunslinger Graham Harrell. His 4,076 passing yards lead the nation.

That’s just another layer on this epic Saturday night clash. Barring a disastrous game from both quarterbacks, the winner will lead the race for the Heisman trophy.

According to most college football Web sites, Harrell has led the way since defeating Texas three weeks ago. However, Harrell and Bradford’s numbers are so similarly spectacular that a head-to-head victory will carry the most clout.

If that’s not enough, consider the revenge factor. Last season Oklahoma had a chance to reach the national championship game until a stop in Lubbock derailed those plans. Before this season the Red Raiders were used to that spoiler role (always a bridesmaid) but now they’re the ones sitting on top.

Texas Tech looked tremendous in the driver’s seat against Oklahoma State, but now the car is heading north to a hostile — though apparently not ruckus — stadium in Norman. One more revenge factor? Bradford was knocked out of last year’s loss.

“Knowing that I wasn’t able to be out there just competing with all my teammates and wasn’t able to finish the game is really frustrating,” Bradford said on College GameDay last week. “It kind of puts a sour taste in my mouth.”

The fun begins when the titans take the field at 7 p.m. Saturday on ABC.

— - Edited by Scott Toland

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