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No. 22 Texas (2-1) at Texas Tech (2-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Line: Texas by 7, base
Series record: Texas leads 54-17.
What is at stake?
The Big 12 opener for both teams is Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s first visit to Lubbock and the first game against the Longhorns for Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire as head coach. The former Baylor assistant and lifelong Texan won three state championships as a high school coach in the Lone Star State. This is the third straight year the schools have opened the conference schedule against each other.
Key match
Texas RB Bijan Robinson against Texas Tech’s run defense. Robinson has at least 100 receiving yards in each of his first three games, including a season-high 183 rushing yards with three touchdowns in last week’s 41-20 win over UTSA. Edge rusher Tyree Wilson is Texas Tech’s top NFL prospect with sacks and tackling ball carriers in the backfield.
Players to watch
Texas: LB Jaylan Ford is the top player for an improved defense and leads the team in tackles with 25. He led the Crimson Tide to a 21-20 win in Week 2 after being caught offside on an 81-yard touchdown run by Alabama. He was a lock defender with good instincts and solid field tactics.
Texas Tech: QBs Donovan Smith and Behren Morton Smith has five interceptions in two games after the Red Raiders knocked off lowly Murray State in their opener. The offense struggled overall in last week’s 27-14 loss to No. 12 North Carolina. As a result, Morton played in something outside of Garbage Time for the first time. He threw Texas Tech’s third interception against the Wolfpack.
Facts and figures
The Texas QB’s status remains a mystery until game time, with Quinn Evers recovering from a clavicle injury and Hudson Card playing with a high ankle sprain. Sarkisian said they both practiced earlier in the week. Redshirt freshman Charles Wright is the third QB option. … Texas has just one turnover in three games, none in the last two games … It’s the third straight for the Red Raiders. Then they won-No. 25 Houston 33-30 in double overtime two weeks ago. … If the Longhorns go to the Southeastern Conference in 2024 instead of 2025, this could be Texas’ last visit to its longtime rival.
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