Big win? For Texas Tech, it's just another test passed

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech is ready for its "next biggest game in the history of the season," as head coach Mike Leach likes to put it.

The rest of the country will have to wait two weeks.

'I feel like every week we have something to prove,' Michael Crabtree says. (US Presswire)

Following the Red Raiders' 56-20 win over No. 9 Oklahoma State on Saturday, all that stands between Tech and its first Big 12 South Division title is the second-hottest team in the conference -- No. 6 Oklahoma.

The division title includes a trip to the conference championship game, likely against Missouri or Kansas. The Jayhawks are familiar with Tech -- the Red Raiders dismantled them at the start of this current four-game test against ranked opponents, 63-21.

But first things first. Tech had to take care of the Cowboys, who had aspirations of a Big 12 title on their agenda.

With No. 1-ranked Alabama needing overtime to beat LSU and No. 3 Penn State losing at Iowa, some wondered if Tech was going to be another top team to blow its shot at the national championship.

When Graham Harrell fumbled a snap on the Red Raiders' first possession and the Cowboys scored three plays later, Oklahoma State took the first step toward another upset.

Harrell, though, led the Red Raiders on the first of seven consecutive touchdown drives and in the process made a bigger statement to become the next Heisman Trophy winner.

"(Harrell) was on fire the whole game," Oklahoma State safety Ricky Price said. "He's up for the Heisman and he's a great player. The receivers were catching the balls and making plays."

One of those receivers, Mike Crabtree, one of Harrell's biggest competitors for the Heisman, finished with eight receptions for 89 yards and three touchdowns. This was the second time this season that Crabtree caught three TDs. He has 18 on the season after finishing with 22 a year ago as a redshirt freshman.

Harrell completed 40 of 50 passes for 456 yards. He threw six touchdowns and zero interceptions.

"They have tremendous protection, and when you play a team that throws the ball as effective as they do, it is hard to get to the quarterback and they find seams and move the football," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. "My guess is, without getting to him and with him standing back there, the seams started to open up and that is what he was hitting."