By Garin Turner
The first of four games on Saturday with college football playoff implications starts at noon EST on ABC when the #11 BYU Cougars face the #4 Texas Tech Red Raiders for the Big 12 Championship.
What’s at stake (besides the Big 12 Championship)
Most people think Texas Tech is a lock regardless but only a win would assure that for the Red Raiders. They enter the game 11-1 (8-1 in the conference) with their only loss coming against Arizona State. Texas Tech beat a then #16 Utah 34-10 in their fourth game of the season (Utah is currently ranked 15 th and with some help could still make it into the college
football playoffs) The Red Raiders also defeated then #7 BYU 29-7 three weeks ago.
For 11-1, 8-1 conference BYU, a win most likely gets them in. They would avenge the loss three weeks ago while beating the current #4 team in FBS. BYU’s biggest win was also against Utah who was ranked 23 at the time.
The first matchup
BYU had three turnovers in the game and Texas Tech outgained their opponent 368-255. The Red Raiders went 7/18 on third down while holding BYU to just 3/14. Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton threw for 219 yards and a touchdown. Cameron Dickey carried the ball 23 times for 121 yards and a score.
Bear Bachmeier threw for 188 yards, one touchdown and one interception for BYU. LJ Martin was the leading rusher with 35 yards on 10 carries. Chase Roberts had six catches for 61 yards and a touchdown.
Keys to the game
Turnovers. Can BYU limit the mistakes and can Texas Tech convert them into more touchdowns if they force a turnover? The Red Raiders kicked five field goals.
Protect the quarterback. Texas Tech allowed BYU to sack Morton four times.
BYU’s running game. The Cougars ran 27 times for 67 yards for an average of 2.5 yards.
BYU Team Leaders
Passing: Bear Bachmeier, 2,593 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Rushing: LJ Martin, 1,229 yards on 217 carries and 11 touchdowns.
Receiving: Parker Kingston, 57 catches for 804 yards and five touchdowns.
Texas Tech Team Leaders
Passing: Behren Morton, 2,428 yards, 20 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Rushing: Cameron Dickey, 1,023 yards on 180 carries and 13 touchdowns.
Receiving: Caleb Douglas, 53 catches for 823 yards and seven touchdowns.
Prediction
Texas Tech keeps it out of the hands of the selection committee on Sunday. BYU plays better but just too much Texas Tech in this one, 35-21.
