Predicting Texas Tech Football’s Complete 2014 Season

Oct 19, 2013; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Allen (10) rolls out to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide defense during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3: Texas Tech vs. Arkansas (Lubbock, Texas)

Favorite: Texas Tech, just barely.

Storyline: These two teams and their coaches represent opposite ends of the college football spectrum. At Arkansas, Bret Bielema loves his “two-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust” ground-based offense “attack”, and has no love whatsoever for the high-flying hurry-up tempo offense used by many coaches today, namely Kliff Kingsbury. In fact, Bielema is no infamous for being outspoken in his opposition to hurry-up offenses, even going so far as to propose and back a rule change. This game represents major bragging rights for proponents of both styles.

MVP: It may sound crazy, but the only way Tech wins this game is to slow it down and play keep-away with Arky. The Red Raider defense has stopped a good running attack in years, and it’ll be no different with Bielema’s Razor-backs (get it?). DeAndre Washington and the Tech offensive line will be crucial to winning the time-of-possession battle, and they’ll be collective MVPs if that happens.

Score: This will be a high-scoring affair and Bret will not like it. Arky matches every Tech score throughout, but Washington, Webb and the unstoppable Red Raider offense prevail. Texas Tech 41, Arkansas 35.

Record: 3-0