The eyes of the college football world next descend upon ... Lubbock?
That's the case next Saturday after No. 1 Texas set up the latest Big 12 (and national) showdown with a 28-24
victory over Oklahoma State. The Horns end their four-ranked-teams-in-four-weeks run with a trip to Texas Tech.
Depending on how things shake out, it could be for the No. 1 ranking.
Texas Tech, of course, has never been ranked that high but finds itself in the thick of the national championship
race after a 63-21 victory at Kansas earlier in the day. Mike Leach's band of pirates are just starting their own
streak of four ranked teams in a row. Texas comes to Lubbock next week. If it wins Texas Tech could emerge No. 1 for
the first time in its history.
Texas leads the all-time series 43-14 but Tech has won three of the last 11 meetings, two by former coach Spike
Dykes. The Raiders haven't beaten the Horns since 2002.
Texas Tech's Graham Harrell was his usual self (386 yards, five touchdowns) but it was the defense that gave the Red
Raiders hope. Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing had his worst game since high school throwing for only 154 yards.
We found out Harrell's weakness: boredom. After being sacked only once in the first seven games, he was sacked on
successive plays late in the game. Not that it mattered. Texas Tech scored eight touchdowns in the first three
quarters then sat back and enjoyed its best start in 32 years (8-0).
In Austin, we finally found out that Colt McCoy has a weakness too. The nation's current Heisman leader nearly
handed Oklahoma State the game with an interception that set up a field goal and later a fumble at the Cowboys' 10.
The fumble with 5 1/2 minutes left allowed Oklahoma State a chance to drive for the winning score but Texas tackle
Lamarr Houston snuffed out a middle screen to stop the Cowboys on fourth down in their own territory.
Good luck getting a ticket. Game tickets are going to be tough enough, but we're talking plane ticket. A quick check
of Travelocity.com shows the cheapest flight at $424. Then it shoots up to $894. One way. From Dallas.
Who was more impressive? Georgia scored its most points ever in Baton Rouge, routing LSU 52-38. It was the third
time in 10 games the Tigers have allowed at least 50 points.
Florida went up 35-0 on Kentucky on its way to a 63-5 win. The Gators' scoring drives on their first five touchdowns
totaled 13 days plays and covered 216 yards. The longest drive lasted 1:43.
• Is there any doubt where the power lies in the Big 12? The South Division went into the Saturday with three of the
nation's nine undefeated teams and four of the top eight in the BCS. Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma
averaged 42.5 points in winning their games.
Texas Tech had eight touchdowns in the first three quarters of its 63-21 victory at Kansas. Not to be outdone,
Oklahoma had eight touchdowns in the first half 80 miles down the road at Kansas State. In the half of the
Oklahoma-Kansas State game, the teams scored 12 touchdowns. Not counting Oklahoma's punt return for a score, the
teams averaged 4 plays, 56 yards and 1:26 of possession time on the 11 other touchdown drives.
Baylor at Nebraska - the six teams combined for 159 points, 1,723 yards in total offense 63 first downs.
Oklahoma's 55 points in the first half at Kansas State is a school record. The previous high for a first half for
the Sooners was 52 against Rice in 1978. It tied the school record for most points in a half. Oklahoma scored 55 in
the second half against Texas Tech in 1942. Oklahoma had seven touchdown drives in the first half. That required 29
plays and covered 343 yards. All of the scoring drives were under two minutes; the longest drive required 1:45.
In case you're wondering, the 73 points scored by both teams on the Oklahoma-Kansas State game doesn't come close to
the NCAA record for most points in a half. North Texas 49, Navy 45 set the record last year (94).
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