Harrison Wier
Staff Writer
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The Longhorns (6-3) travel to Lubbock to face Texas Tech (5-4) in an always chaotic night game at Jones AT&T Stadium. Both Texas and Texas Tech are on a two-game losing streak. The Red Raiders are hoping to become bowl eligible with a win over the Longhorns, while Texas is hoping to remain in the race for a Big 12 title. Our staff weighs in on what to expect from a chilly night in Lubbock:
Daniel Seahorn (3-6)
I was calling another Texas loss in this one given the defensive struggles and it being a night game in Lubbock. Freshman quarterback Alan Bowman is out due him reinjuring his lung that kept him out previously and the Red Raiders might be without defensive leader Dakota Allen. Those are two noteworthy players on the injury report for Tech and could end up being a major factor on Saturday. While Duffey is certainly dangerous with his feet, he isn’t nearly as competent of a passer as Bowman has proven to be this year. Limit the coverage busts and take care of the football offensively and I think the Longhorns get back in the win column this weekend.
Prediction: Texas 42, Texas Tech 31
Jameson McCausland (5-4)
A Saturday night in Lubbock is certainly not the ideal fix for a Texas team who is trying to hold together a defense and stay afloat in the Big 12. The Longhorns have a lot to clean up after giving up 42 points to West Virginia a week ago.
Texas will have several advantages in this game. Tech will be without starting QB Alan Bowman and there are doubts LB Dakota Allen will be ready to go after suffering an injury last week against Oklahoma. Backup QB Jett Duffey is a better runner than a thrower, but it should benefit Texas that they have a full week to prepare for the QB run game.
Offensively, there is no reason Texas shouldn't be approaching or surpassing the 40 point mark in this game. Tech's defense is slightly improved, but they still give up huge chunk yardage in the run game. If Texas can get a couple stops a half of defense, Sam Ehlinger and the offense should be able to take care of the rest.
Anything can happen in Lubbock, but I think Texas gets a much needed win.
Prediction: Texas 42, Texas Tech 35
Aaron Carrara (7-2)
Lubbock. Night Game. Tortillas..... It’s going to be a close game that sees the lead go back and forth until the 4th quarter. Tech will go with the mobile Jett Duffy at quarterback while Alan Bowman recovers from injury - and the Longhorns have had their share of troubles stopping the run.
Sam Ehlinger’s shoulder is still a bit wobbly and the Longhorns are dealing with injuries, but the Texas offense should be able to put up points against Tech’s defense.
The biggest question will be how the Texas defense responds to Kliff Kingsbury’s offensive plan. Texas was hammered by the Oklahoma State and West Virginia offenses, and they must find a way to stop big plays on the ground and in the air if they want win #7.
In the end I think Herman and Orlando make the necessary adjustments and prepare a game plan that seals a win.
Prediction: Texas 45, Texas Tech 41
Harrison Wier (4-5)
Let me preface this by saying my prediction is due to the fact that Texas has only lost one game in which I've predicted against them. Maybe my lack of faith is just what this team needs to get over the hump!
With that said, a night game in Lubbock is always going to be difficult. I believe this game is really going to show Texas fans how much of Tom Herman's culture is embedded in the football program. If the team comes out flat and without energy again, I think Herman still has some work to do with perfecting his culture installation. The team has clearly been affected by back-to-back close losses, but this game is now the most important of the year. Texas can still salvage their season with a win in Lubbock, and this is no secret to Herman and his team. The Horns can either hang their heads about not finishing in close games, or go out and play competitive football. The course they choose could say a lot about Herman's culture and how much it's shaped the program.
Ultimately, I don't trust the Texas defense — even against backup quarterback Jett Duffey. Duffey has good athleticism and can run the ball well. Kliff Kingsbury knows this, and will certainly try to use it to his team's advantage. If Texas can contain Duffey and force him to throw the ball, he will make mistakes. If not, it's going to be a long day in the office for Todd Orlando. The Texas offense is certainly going to put up points on Tech's defense, but can the defense make the stops needed to give the Longhorns a comfortable lead? I don't think so, and that worries me. As Tom Herman says, "Winning is hard." But winning in Lubbock is even harder. I'm not sure this team is ready to do it yet.
Prediction: Texas Tech 45, Texas 42
Daniel Seahorn (3-6)
I was calling another Texas loss in this one given the defensive struggles and it being a night game in Lubbock. Freshman quarterback Alan Bowman is out due him reinjuring his lung that kept him out previously and the Red Raiders might be without defensive leader Dakota Allen. Those are two noteworthy players on the injury report for Tech and could end up being a major factor on Saturday. While Duffey is certainly dangerous with his feet, he isn’t nearly as competent of a passer as Bowman has proven to be this year. Limit the coverage busts and take care of the football offensively and I think the Longhorns get back in the win column this weekend.
Prediction: Texas 42, Texas Tech 31
Jameson McCausland (5-4)
A Saturday night in Lubbock is certainly not the ideal fix for a Texas team who is trying to hold together a defense and stay afloat in the Big 12. The Longhorns have a lot to clean up after giving up 42 points to West Virginia a week ago.
Texas will have several advantages in this game. Tech will be without starting QB Alan Bowman and there are doubts LB Dakota Allen will be ready to go after suffering an injury last week against Oklahoma. Backup QB Jett Duffey is a better runner than a thrower, but it should benefit Texas that they have a full week to prepare for the QB run game.
Offensively, there is no reason Texas shouldn't be approaching or surpassing the 40 point mark in this game. Tech's defense is slightly improved, but they still give up huge chunk yardage in the run game. If Texas can get a couple stops a half of defense, Sam Ehlinger and the offense should be able to take care of the rest.
Anything can happen in Lubbock, but I think Texas gets a much needed win.
Prediction: Texas 42, Texas Tech 35
Aaron Carrara (7-2)
Lubbock. Night Game. Tortillas..... It’s going to be a close game that sees the lead go back and forth until the 4th quarter. Tech will go with the mobile Jett Duffy at quarterback while Alan Bowman recovers from injury - and the Longhorns have had their share of troubles stopping the run.
Sam Ehlinger’s shoulder is still a bit wobbly and the Longhorns are dealing with injuries, but the Texas offense should be able to put up points against Tech’s defense.
The biggest question will be how the Texas defense responds to Kliff Kingsbury’s offensive plan. Texas was hammered by the Oklahoma State and West Virginia offenses, and they must find a way to stop big plays on the ground and in the air if they want win #7.
In the end I think Herman and Orlando make the necessary adjustments and prepare a game plan that seals a win.
Prediction: Texas 45, Texas Tech 41
Harrison Wier (4-5)
Let me preface this by saying my prediction is due to the fact that Texas has only lost one game in which I've predicted against them. Maybe my lack of faith is just what this team needs to get over the hump!
With that said, a night game in Lubbock is always going to be difficult. I believe this game is really going to show Texas fans how much of Tom Herman's culture is embedded in the football program. If the team comes out flat and without energy again, I think Herman still has some work to do with perfecting his culture installation. The team has clearly been affected by back-to-back close losses, but this game is now the most important of the year. Texas can still salvage their season with a win in Lubbock, and this is no secret to Herman and his team. The Horns can either hang their heads about not finishing in close games, or go out and play competitive football. The course they choose could say a lot about Herman's culture and how much it's shaped the program.
Ultimately, I don't trust the Texas defense — even against backup quarterback Jett Duffey. Duffey has good athleticism and can run the ball well. Kliff Kingsbury knows this, and will certainly try to use it to his team's advantage. If Texas can contain Duffey and force him to throw the ball, he will make mistakes. If not, it's going to be a long day in the office for Todd Orlando. The Texas offense is certainly going to put up points on Tech's defense, but can the defense make the stops needed to give the Longhorns a comfortable lead? I don't think so, and that worries me. As Tom Herman says, "Winning is hard." But winning in Lubbock is even harder. I'm not sure this team is ready to do it yet.
Prediction: Texas Tech 45, Texas 42
