Texas Tech football: These toss-up games will decide how 2019 plays out

Game 5 vs. Oklahoma State

Last year, Texas Tech finally ended a 9-game losing streak to Oklahoma State by virtue of a dominant 41-17 win in Stillwater.  Now, Tech needs to start its own streak against the Cowboys and beat them in Lubbock for the first time since 2008.

OSU will likely put up plenty of points this fall despite bringing in a new offensive coordinator.  Former Princeton OC Sean Gleeson will likely utilize more of the QB run game to maximize Sanders’ ability with his legs.

But the passing game will still be OSU’s bread and butter. Returning three starters at receiver, including the second-leading receiver in the nation in 2018, Tylan Wallace, the Pokes will have tons of firepower.

Like just about every Big 12 team outside of Iowa State and TCU, the question will be whether there is enough defense in Stillwater this year after finishing No. 97 overall last year.  In the second year under DC Jim Knowles, the Cowboys hope to make enough strides to field a defense simply capable of slowing down teams enough to allow their offense to win those classic Big 12 shootouts that we’ve come to love.

Will another of those shootouts come in Lubbock?  The last time OSU was in Jones Stadium, they pulled out a 41-34 win with a last-minute touchdown.  And in 2015, they outscored Tech to the tune of 70-53.

In fact, in their last four trips to the South Plains, the Cowboys have averaged 57.2 points per game.  Hopefully, Tech can stand up far better against the OSU offense this year and finally beat this key Big 12 rival in front of the home faithful.