The OTHER other key to OSU-Tech

By Scott Wright

Anytime this decade when OSU and Texas Tech meet, there’s a lot of talk about the two high-scoring offenses.

This year, there’s going to be a lot of talk about the defenses — and rightfully so, because two of the Big 12′s most suspect defensive programs over the last few years currently rank first (Tech) and second (OSU) in total yards allowed during Big 12 play, as well as first (OSU) and third (Tech) in points allowed through five conference games.

But the one key aspect that could be forgotten in Saturday’s top-10 showdown is the run game. No, not Oklahoma State’s. We know the Cowboys can run the ball.

The Red Raiders trying to run the ball more. The surprising part is that they’re doing it fairly well.

Currently, Mike Leach’s offense ranks eighth in the conference at 134.8 yards per game, which doesn’t seem like much, considering OSU’s Kendall Hunter averages that much (135.6) on his own. But it’s quite a climb for the Raiders, who generally anchor the bottom of the conference rushing chart.

Individually, Baron Batch and Shannon Woods both rank in the Big 12′s top 11, each averaging more than 61 yards per game. Woods comes in just a yard-and-a-half per game behind OSU backup Keith Toston.