A Fresh Start In The Big 12: Game Predictions for Texas vs. Texas Tech
The Texas Longhorns are back on track after a 58-0 drubbing of Rice last Saturday, now it's on to Big 12 play.
Steve Sarkisian's first conference test comes in Austin on Saturday when the Texas Tech Raider Raiders come to Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Can they off to the right start with their conference slate?
On Monday we gave a look at the program as a whole. On Tuesday, you met the offense, and the next day, you met the defense. Thursday came and Longhorn Country went behind enemy lines to discuss Red Raiders Football with Phil Mayer of Red Raiders Nation.
Now it's time for the Longhorns Country staff to make their game predictions for when Texas returns to DKR against Texas Tech.
Make sure to stick with LonghornsCountry.com through our season preview series, where we will analyze every opponent on the Longhorns schedule in 2021.
Matt Galatzan - Managing Editor/Publisher
Texas is coming off of a nice win over Rice. Unfortunately, that win didn't tell us very much about what issues this team has fixed after the Arkansas Debacle. Casey Thompson seems to be the answer so far, but this will be his biggest test as a college QB. Texas wins, but it's close.
Texas 41 Texas Tech 37
READ MORE: Texas Falls Out Of Top 10 In Sporting News' Preseason Top 25
Cole Thompson - Columnist/Editor
The scary part about the Red Raiders is they're playing a more balanced attack passing in Year 3 of the Matt Wells era. Tyler Shough still leads the Big 12 in passing yards, and he's yet to throw for over 35 pass attempts in an outing.
Casey Thompson needs to spread the ball out more. Last week against Rice, Xavier Worthy recorded seven of the 17 completions on the evening. With only one other player recording more than one catch. Tech, which ranks last in pass defense, likely will be double covering the freshman, leaving names like Jordan Whittington and Kelvontay Dixon wide open.
Last season, the two schools combined for nearly 120 points. It'll be closer to 75 with the Horns winning at home.
Texas 41, Texas Tech 30
Tomer Barazani - Staff Writer
This game will come down to which Tyler Shough shows up. He has been good in some games and not so good in others. Along with an inconsistent offensive line for Texas, this could be a dangerous matchup for the Longhorns. Nevertheless, with Casey Thompson leading the way, I expect the Longhorns to win in pretty convincing fashion.
Texas 27, Texas Tech 18
READ MORE: Texas' Offense Has Plan Under Steve Sarkisian
Matthew Postins - Staff Writer
Texas always seems to have issues with Texas Tech. It's an underrated rivalry. Last year the game ping-ponged back and forth before Texas won. Having seen Tech in person two weeks ago I can tell you're they're a more mature team than a year ago. But, the game is in Austin, I feel like Casey Thompson has been building toward a great game and the prediction I made earlier this summer stands. It should be a fun game.
Texas 33 Texas Tech 26.
Zach Dimmitt - Staff Writer
Texas Tech comes into this game undefeated, but have looked almost as inconsistent as the Longhorns have over the first three games of the season. The Red Raiders beat FIU by 33 last week, but only managed to squeak by the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks a week prior. Does this mean anything? In the current circumstances, probably not.
Despite early-season inconsistencies by both teams, the heated rivalry will likely erase all of this and provide the classic Big-12 shootout that we've been accustomed to over the years. If this game was being played in Lubbock, maybe Tech QB Tyler Shough secures the upset. But Casey Thompson will get the better of him as the game comes down to the last few possessions.
Texas 41, Texas Tech 31
Who will win the matchup? Comment and join in on the discussion below!
