NCAA Preview: Oklahoma vs Texas Tech
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No. 16 Oklahoma (4-2, 3-0 Big 12) at Texas Tech (3-3, 1-2), 8 p.m. (FOX)
Line: Oklahoma by 13.
Series Record: Oklahoma leads 17-6.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
A win would give the Sooners their first 4-0 start in Big 12 play since 2004 and keep them in the hunt for the conference title. Texas Tech looks to end a two-game skid with losses to Kansas State and West Virginia.
KEY MATCHUP
Oklahoma: RB Joe Mixon and freshman Abdul Adams vs. Texas Tech's defense. Mixon, who has rushed for 476 yards and two touchdowns this season, will carry a bigger load Saturday after Samaje Perine was injured early in the 38-17 win over Kansas State. Perine will be out for at least two weeks. Mixon is averaging 6.0 yards per carry, while Adams, who's played in only two games, is averaging 4.3 yards. Texas Tech is giving up about 205 yards rushing per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Oklahoma: QB Baker Mayfield. The junior will play in Lubbock for the first time since 2013 when he played in eight games (seven starts) as a freshman walk-on at Texas Tech before transferring to OU.
Texas Tech: QB Patrick Mahomes. The junior leads the nation in passing yards per game (429.8) but struggled in the Red Raiders loss to West Virginia. He's missed practice with a shoulder injury sustained last month. Mahomes finished with his second lowest passing total of the season (305 yards) in last week's loss.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Sooners are 6-0 in Lubbock when scoring at least 30 points and are 0-4 there when scoring less than 30 points. ... Texas Tech has not beaten the Sooners at home since scoring a 41-13 victory in 2009 campaign. ... OU has won its last eight true road games and 19 of its last 21. ... The Red Raiders will be looking for their first win over a ranked opponent since beating No. 16 Arizona State, 37-23, in the 2013 Holiday Bowl. ... Texas Tech is one of nine schools in the country to have only lost one fumble this season. ... The Sooners are giving up 33 points a game, while the Red Raiders are surrendering 40.2.
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