Texas Tech at Oklahoma State Preview

By Darrell Laurant  |   Friday, November 11, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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This game might be a tale of three feet -- two of them belonging to Texas Tech Red Raiders RB Taurean Henderson, the other to Oklahoma State QB Bobby Reid.

Henderson, best-known for snatching passes out of the backfield in No. 13 Tech's pass-drunk offense, has emerged over the last two games as a ground-gaining machine -- 136 yards and two touchdowns against Baylor two weeks ago, 136 yards and four scores last week in a 56-17 thrashing of Texas A&M. And it just so happens that the floundering OSU Cowboys, who have yet to win a conference game, rank last nationally in defending the run.

Reid, meanwhile, may try to play on a sore foot just to give Oklahoma State's spread-out attack a hope of succeeding. Al Pena has kept the position warm for the last few weeks, but he lacks the mobility the offense requires. The question will be whether a gimpy Reid can be quicker than a healthy Pena.

Red Raiders QB Cody Hodges has thrown for 3,502 yards and 27 touchdowns this season -- mute testimony to Tech's reliance on the pass -- but he may be able to rest his arm this week if Henderson gets off. If not, wide receivers Robert Johnson and Joel Filani have snagged 108 Hodges aerials between them.

On the other hand, Oklahoma State is playing at home, is desperate for a victory, and led No. 2 Texas 28-9 at halftime a few weeks before imploding in the second half. RB Mike Hamilton gained 194 yards against the proud Longhorn defense, and Tech's "D," built around hard-hitting DB Dwayne Slay (63 tackles, eight forced fumbles) has been up and down against the run.

Game time will be 2 p.m. at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater.
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