Last Updated on November 2, 2010 7:47 pm by Anthony Rome
Missouri vs. Texas Tech Preview
LUBBOCK, TX – Blaine Gabbert and Missouri’s steady passing attack was shut down by one of the nation’s top defenses last weekend, and the program’s national championship aspirations took a significant hit.
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Trying to bounce back from their first loss and looking stay in the thick of the Big 12 North race, Gabbert and the 14th-ranked Tigers may be able to move the ball better Saturday night against Texas Tech – owner of one of the country’s worst defenses.
Oddsmakers from online sports book BroburySports.com have made Missouri –4 point spread favorites for Saturday’s game against Texas Tech. Current NCAA Public Betting Information shows that 91% of more than 1,152 bets for this game have been placed on Missouri -4.
Coming off a 36-27 win Oct. 23 over then-No. 3 Oklahoma, the top team in the BCS standings, Missouri (7-1, 3-1) was hoping to carry some momentum to Lincoln. The Tigers fell behind 24-0 in the first quarter against then-No. 14 Nebraska, however, and lost 31-17.
The defeat dropped Missouri seven spots in the rankings and made it likely that the Tigers will need to win their final four games to have a chance of capturing the division.
“It’s our first loss of the year,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “It’s very difficult for all of us. We’re battlers and competitors. We’ll get up tomorrow, lessons learned, and move on.”
Missouri seemingly has a lot to work on because it was dominated at the line of scrimmage offensively and defensively. A game against Texas Tech (4-4, 2-4) could be what it needs to shore up those areas.
The Cornhuskers’ defensive line put heavy pressure on Gabbert, sacking him six times after Missouri surrendered seven sacks in the first seven games. Gabbert, coming off back-to-back 300-yard passing efforts, was limited to 18-of-42 passing for 199 yards with a touchdown and his first interception in four games.
Gabbert, however, was facing a stout Nebraska defense that ranks third in the FBS against the pass. He should have better luck against a Texas Tech team that has the nation’s second-worst passing defense at 317.4 yards a contest.
In the Red Raiders’ 45-27 loss to Texas A&M last Saturday, Aggies junior Ryan Tannehill – a converted wide receiver – threw for a school-record 449 yards in his first career start at quarterback. Tannehill tossed four touchdowns against Texas Tech, tied for worst in the league with 18 TD passes allowed.
The Red Raiders gave up 623 yards overall – their most since then-No. 5 Oklahoma racked up 625 in 2008.
Texas Tech’s biggest troubles this season have stemmed from allowing 32.6 points a game on defense – 11th in the Big 12.
“We got to do a better job getting off the field,” coach Tommy Tuberville said.
Missouri’s defense has been far superior, ranking ninth in the nation at 15.4 points allowed per contest, but it had major problems against the run last weekend.
The Tigers came into the Nebraska game ranked second in the conference in run defense at 114.6 yards, but allowed Roy Helu Jr. to set a school record with 307 yards rushing.
Missouri probably won’t have to worry about stopping the run as much against Texas Tech, which relies heavily on the pass, averaging 316.8 yards per game. Who will be throwing the ball for Texas Tech is still unsettled, however, as Tuberville is deciding between Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield.
Potts started the first eight games, passing for 2,388 yards with 21 touchdowns and five interceptions. He threw for 227 yards and a TD against Texas A&M before being replaced by Sheffield in the fourth quarter.
Sheffield, who entered having completed just two of eight passes, went 11 of 14 for 129 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.
The Tigers aren’t concerned with who will be taking snaps for the Red Raiders.
“It really doesn’t matter who we face,” cornerback Kip Edwards said. “Really, we’re just trying to get back on the winning side.”
The Tigers have outscored the Red Raiders by an average of 26.3 points in winning the last three in the series. In the teams’ last meeting in 2007, then-No. 15 Missouri beat 22nd-ranked Texas Tech 41-10.
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