The last Big 12 game between the rivals takes place on Black Friday at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium between No. 7 Texas and in-state foe Texas Tech. After losing to Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown, the Longhorns had played a few wobbly games. However, this week, they defeated Iowa State 26–16 away to win their 10th regular-season game, their first since 2009. The Longhorns would secure the top seed in the Big 12 Championship Game with a victory against the Red Raiders.
Despite having a slow start (3–1), Texas Tech has won three straight games to qualify for bowl games. The Red Raiders have won in Big 12 play for the first time since 2009 under head coach Joey McGuire’s direction. With 5:30 left in the fourth quarter, Texas Tech overturned a 14-0 first-quarter deficit against UCF to win 24-23. This victory occurred after an extra point was blocked. In the victory, Tahj Brooks, the running back, ran for 182 yards and a score.
Since their first meeting in 1928, Texas has faced Texas Tech 72 times. Since the Red Raiders joined the Southwest Conference in 1960, the teams have faced off annually. The Red Raiders overcame a 10-point halftime deficit in 2022 to defeat Texas 37-34. Myles Price, a receiver for Texas Tech, had 13 receptions for 98 yards in the victory.
How to watch the Texas Tech game live in Austin
When: Friday, November 24 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Austin, Texas’s Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium
ABC on TV; Fubo for live streaming (free trial)
The Christmas promotion from Fubo has begun! New users may get $40 off Fubo’s Pro, Elite, and Premier plans for a limited period of time ($20 off the first and second months).
Texas Tech vs. Texas: What you should know
Strength on strength: Texas has one of the best rush defenses in collegiate football; yet, the Longhorns’ greatest opponent will come from Texas Tech rushing back Tahj Brooks. With 1,348 yards of running, Brooks is third nationally and leads a Texas Tech team that has started three different quarterbacks due to injury. Texas defensive tackles T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II are the best interior tandem in NCAA football, therefore the Longhorns’ early success will depend on winning this game.
As a rookie, CJ Baxter performed well in relief of injured running back Jonathan Brooks for Texas, against Iowa State’s formidable rush defense. To keep the Longhorns in the game, Baxter ran for 117 yards on 20 attempts and scored a 21-yard touchdown. Most astonishingly, Baxter seemed to gain stronger as the game progressed. Texas’s 10-1 record has been largely attributed to their rushing game, and against Texas Tech, Baxter seems primed to have a breakthrough performance.
Big 12 math: A victory versus Texas Tech will guarantee Texas a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game. But a defeat might destabilize the field. Up to six teams might finish tied for second place, and Texas Tech would still have a slim but remote possibility of winning the championship. Whatever the outcome, the Longhorns are still in a solid position, but Texas would be much better off taking care of business. Nevertheless, McGuire will surely have a plan in place to attempt to knock Texas out of the Big 12.
Texas vs. Texas Tech forecast and selections
odds by consensus from SportsLine
Though the Longhorns have had trouble shutting out opponents, Texas has performed well throughout the season and is still very much in the running for the College Football Playoffs. The Longhorns have won their past four games by a combined 5.8 points per game, with the exception of a four-touchdown victory against BYU. In the decisive match of this rivalry, Texas Tech will give it their all and manage to keep the score close. The Red Raiders cover a significant spread, but Texas prevails.
More in Sports: https://buzzing.today/sports/
Photo Credits: https://commons.wikimedia.org/