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Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the game between the Red Raiders and Cowboys.

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Texas Tech at Oklahoma State Game Preview

When: Saturday, November 12 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK
Broadcast: FS1

Oklahoma State isn’t the same team that lost twice in September, and that ought to rattle anyone with visions of a Big 12 title over the next month. The Cowboys have reeled off five straight wins to remain just a game behind Oklahoma in the league race. And the last two over then-unbeaten West Virginia and Kansas State after being down on the road really bodes well for the stretch run. Is Kliff Kingsbury losing any of his goodwill in Lubbock? His 4-5 Red Raiders have dropped three of their last four games, and are in grave danger of being left out of the postseason for the second time in the last three years.

What To Know About Texas Tech

The Red Raiders might be the easiest Power Five team to sum up at this stage of the campaign. Prolific quarterback Patrick Mahomes gives Tech a shot in every game, but a dreadful defense usually squanders those opportunities. Mahomes has uncorked 31 of his team’s 37 scoring strikes in 2016, spreading the ball around to a slew of eclectic receivers. But, oh, that defense in Lubbock. The Red Raiders have allowed 44 points on six different occasions, and they rank 126th nationally in total D after being stampeded by Texas running back D’Onta Foreman for 341 rushing yards.

What to Know About Oklahoma State

Mahomes vs. Mason Rudolph will be compelling. And the James Washington-led receiving corps will cause fits for the Texas Tech secondary. But Mike Gundy might want to give a few more touches to his backs, Chris Carson and Justice Hill, to soften a Red Raider defense allowing a whopping 5.8 yards per carry. The Oklahoma State D has holes, a concern against this week’s opponent. Gundy is going to need free safety Jordan Sterns to wrap up in the open field and defensive tackle Vincent Taylor to continue blowing up opposing interiors to force Mahomes to operate under pressure.

Advantages

Offense: Oklahoma State. Both teams boast high-flying passing attacks, but the Cowboys are better equipped to balance out the offense with a blend of the running game.

Defense: Oklahoma State. Texas Tech does absolutely nothing well on D, including sacking the quarterback, which will give Rudolph all day to operate.

Special Teams: Oklahoma State. Led by punter Zach Sinor and placekicker Ben Grogan, the Pokes have one of the top special teams units in the country.

Coaching: Oklahoma State. Gundy is a top-flight coach. Kingsbury has yet to prove he’s more than the architect of a record-setting passing attack.

Intangibles: Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are surging, while the Red Raiders are sinking and quickly running out of gas.

Matchup To Watch

Mahomes vs. Rudolph

Okay, so they won’t face one another on opposite sides of the line. Still, the head-to-head battle between Mahomes and Rudolph will be one of the most compelling quarterback duels of Week 11. And whichever hurler has the better afternoon could wind up leading his team to an important victory as well.

Texas Tech at Oklahoma State Betting Odds

Spread: Oklahoma State -12
Over/Under: No line as of post

Texas Tech at Oklahoma State Prediction

Two Big 12 schools traveling in opposite directions will continue down those disparate paths in Stillwater. Oklahoma State is storming into the final turn of the regular season, with enough momentum to break the tape in early December. The Cowboys will be no different than Texas Tech’s other opponents this season, shredding the Red Raiders will a combination of runs and passes. Mahomes will keep the game close for a while with his strong right arm, but Okie State will remain a step or two ahead throughout its sixth win in a row and eighth straight in this series with Texas Tech.

Texas Tech at Oklahoma State Score Prediction: Oklahoma State 46, Texas Tech 31

MORE: 1-128 College Football Rankings – Week 11