The Oklahoma Sooners dropped to No. 4 in the AP Top 25 poll after a less than impressive win over the Kansas Jayhawks in Week 8. The Sooners will look to produce a much better showing this Saturday when they lock horns with the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Here's our preview to see who has the edge in this Texas Tech vs Oklahoma Week 9 game.
Texas Tech Red Raiders enter Week 9 as +19 underdogs
The Texas Tech Red Raiders suffered their third defeat of the season in Week 8, losing to the Kansas State Wildcats in heart-breaking fashion. Texas Tech failed to score in the second half as Kansas State turned a 10-24 halftime deficit into a 25-24 victory in the end.
The Red Raiders will look to get their season back on track in Week 9 when they travel to Norman to face the red-hot Oklahoma Sooners. For Texas Tech to record the upset win, it will need to get a huge performance from running back SaRodorick Thompson.
Thompson has eight rushing touchdowns this season. He has found the end zone at least two times in three of Texas Tech's last four games. He has also scored 31 rushing touchdowns in his career for Texas Tech, tied for seventh all-time in Red Raiders history.
It is vital for the Red Raiders that they put the clamps on Kennedy Brooks. He has been a beast for Oklahoma on the ground of late, averaging 149.7 yards rushing in his last three games. The Red Raiders have held five of their eight opponents this season under 100 yards rushing.
Related Article: AP Top 25 Poll: Alabama Jumps Past Oklahoma to No. 3; Oregon Soars to No. 7 Ahead of Week 9
Oklahoma Sooners installed as -19 favorites
Oklahoma's hot start continued on Saturday with a 35-23 victory over Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. It was a huge result for the Sooners, who improved their season-record to a perfect 8-0 slate. It is the first time since 2004 that Oklahoma has started the season with eight consecutive victories.
Caleb Williams has been outstanding since taking over for Spencer Rattler during the Red River Showdown against Texas, completing 72 percent of his passes for 685 yards and eight touchdowns.
Williams' 192.6 passer rating is third best in the nation during that three-game stretch. Williams has shown that he is a dual threat as well, rushing for 224 yards and three scores on just 21 carries in those games.
The Sooners will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing the Red Raiders as they have fared extremely well against them of late. Oklahoma has averaged 51.9 points in its last nine games against Texas Tech, all of which resulted in victories for the Sooners. Oklahoma destroyed Texas Tech, 62-28, in their previous meeting last year.
Writer's Prediction
Oklahoma wins and covers the spread.
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