2014 Oklahoma Sooners Football Opponent First Look | Texas Tech Red Raiders

Conference: Big XII

Season Record: 3-6

Last Week's Opponent: Bye

Points Scored Per Game: 28.4 (Ranks 72nd Nationally)

Points Allowed Per Game: 41.6 (Ranks 124th Nationally)

Last Meeting With Sooners: October 26, 2013 (L 38-30)

Opponent Blog: Viva The Matadors

Texas Tech will host the Sooners this weekend as one of the bottom teams in the conference. The struggling Red Raiders defense may be just the medicine that cures Oklahoma's struggling offense and fans of both teams will get to see just how much heart their respective squads have left to play for.

Offense

Tech hasn't gone stagnant on offense but they are a far cry from the high powered scoring machine that once ruled out in West Texas. Their average of 28.4 points per game is the seventh highest average in the conference and hasn't been near enough to make up for the holes in the defense.

Quarterback Davis Webb has thrown for 2,539 yards and has 24 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. Tech is fourth in the Big 12 in passing offense and averages 46 attempts per game. Jakeem Grant and Bradley Marquez are tied for a team-high 53 receptions each. Grant's 709 receiving yards are the most on the tean and Marquez leads the way with seven receiving touchdowns.

The Red Raiders' rushing attack may be better than advertised. Playing from behind for most of the season has resulted in Tech leaning more on their passing attack and neglecting a running game that averages 5.2 yards per carry. DeAndre Washington is the top back for Texas Tech. He's carried the ball 141 times so far this season for 796 yards. Tech has scored the fewest rushing touchdowns (7) in the Big 12 this season and no other team runs the ball fewer times in a game than the Red Raiders do (29.4).

Defense

Defensively you won't find a worst unit in the conference. Opponents are averaging 41.6 points and 502.1 yards per game against this defense. Opposing quarterbacks are averaging a completion rate of 58.7% and the Red Raiders have been scored on thought the air 21 times while only nabbing 3 interceptions. As bad as that is, Tech is even worse against the run. Opposing teams are running the ball an average of 50 times per game at a pace of 4.9 yards per carry. Texas Tech has given up 26 rushing touchdowns this season.

Pete Robertson is the team's leading tackler, with a total of 62, and his 9 sacks are the most on the team as well. The Red Raiders have five players with 50 tackles or more.

The Skinny

Oklahoma has to right the ship and they have to both coach and play with heart. Here's the perfect opportunity to do all of that. The Red Raiders will be challenging enough on offense to force Oklahoma into some different looks but they're just bad enough on defense to keep this as a safe game. That is...unless they haven't tanked their season in.