Game Preview: Oklahoma State

Saturday, September 30

Lubbock, Texas

7 p.m.

Texas Tech Athletics

Oklahoma State

September 25, 2017 | Football

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Texas Tech returns to Jones AT&T Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday night against Oklahoma State

By: Texas Tech Athletics Communications

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech opens Big 12 Conference play Saturday night with a 7 p.m. primetime kickoff against 15^th-ranked Oklahoma State at Jones AT&T Stadium. Television coverage will be provided nationally on FOX.

Tech will honor the West Texas oil and gas industry Saturday as the game as been billed as the "Celebrate Energy Game." As part of the game, Tech is calling for a "Blackout" of Jones AT&T Stadium as fans are encouraged to wear black to cheer on the Red Raiders.

Limited tickets still remain for Saturday's game, which will be the 45^th all-time meeting between the Red Raiders (3-0; 0-0) and Oklahoma State (3-1; 0-1). Tickets can be purchased online or by contacting the Tech Ticket Office at 806-742-TECH.

Gus Johnson will have the call from Jones AT&T Stadium for FOX on Saturday as he will be joined in the booth by analyst Joel Klatt. Jenny Taft will report from the sidelines to complete the FOX crew.

The Texas Tech Sports Network will also broadcast the game over 46 affiliates throughout the state of Texas and New Mexico as Brian Jensen will have the call alongside analyst John Harris, sideline reporter Chris Level and engineer Steve Pitts. The radio call will also be available on Sirius and XM channels 81 as well as via the TuneIn app.

SATURDAY STORYLINES

Texas Tech navigated a challenging non-conference schedule to start its season at 3-0 heading into Saturday's primetime showdown with No. 15 Oklahoma State. The Red Raiders will be looking for a 4-0 start for the first time since 2013.
Texas Tech routed Eastern Washington to start its season and then followed with a win over an Arizona State program that just topped then-No. 23 Oregon last weekend. The Red Raiders followed with a win last weekend over a Houston program that had won 16-consecutive games at home, which was previously the longest streak in the country.
One important factor in Texas Tech's 3-0 start this season has been its ability to protect the ball while also forcing turnovers on the opposite side. In fact, the Red Raiders head into this weekend ranked tied for fourth nationally with a plus-7 turnover margin.
The Red Raiders have forced nine turnovers through the first three games this season, five of which came in the win at Houston. Tech currently ranks tied for 13th nationally with its nine turnovers gained. In addition, Tech has only allowed two turnovers this season via a fumble against Arizona State and a deflected interception at Houston.
Dating back to the start of the 2002 season, Texas Tech is 39-11 in night games at Jones AT&T Stadium, a 78 percent winning percentage. Under head coach Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech is 8-3 in home night games with wins in four of its last five games under the lights.
Texas Tech will be looking for its first win over Oklahoma State since the 2008 season as the Cowboys have won eight-straight games in the series. Despite the losing streak, the Red Raiders lead the overall series with a 21-20-3 all-time advantage.
Texas Tech enters Thursday's game with a 13-8 record all-time in Big 12 openers. The Red Raiders have won four of their last five Big 12 openers thanks to victories over TCU (2013), Iowa State (2012) and Kansas (2011, 2016).
Jones AT&T Stadium has been nothing short of friendly to the high-octane Red Raider offense in recent years as Texas Tech enters Saturday's showdown having scored at least 50 points in 12 of its last 14 games at home. Tech opened the year with 56 points in its season opener against Eastern Washington and then followed with 52 points a week later against Arizona State.
A year after dropping four games by eight points or less, the Red Raiders have already proven they can win the close game this season after defeating Arizona State, 52-45, and then Houston, 27-24, a week ago. Texas Tech was just 1-4 in games determined by eight points or less last season.
The Texas Tech defense had possibly its best performance under coordinator David Gibbs at Houston as the Red Raiders created five takeaways last weekend against the Cougars. It marked the most turnovers for the Red Raider defense since facing Kansas during the 2008 season.