I'm going with Oklahoma as our POD Runner UP. First off it has been a rough year for this team with the injury to Sam Bradford and Landry Jones has looked great and he's looked brutal both at the same time. last week I think he built some momentum and confidence when they beat up on Texas A&M 65-10. That is a lot different than their 10-3 loss at Nebraska, but Nebraska has a defense, Texas Tech can get a pass rush, but that's really all I'm confident in as they are ranked 56th in total defense and 54th in points allowed. They will play on eof the better offenses they have played all year, and the best defense they have played all year. Both teams are not the same as they were last year when Oklahoma steamed over Texas Tech 65-21 and ruining Texas Tech's National Title hopes. They remember that, but they have not closed the gap in overall talent enough to make a big difference.
Oklahoma has faced better defense and better offenses in an overall stronger schedule. They have dominated offenses just as good as Texas Tech's which is more misleading than good. They have faced an average defense ranked 65th and 82nd against the pass. Oklahoma is ranked 6th in overall defense and 5th in points given up. They are stingy and they have done it against good teams. They have faced a 12th ranked team 27th, 25th, and 8th overall offenses. These are the points they gave up 14, 16, 13, and 10. Very impressive and I'm not sold on this offense of Texas Tech at all.
I'll give you a clear cut example. Against Texas A&M and their 104th ranked defense Texas Tech put up just 30 points and were outscored in a game they lost at home 52-30. That same team got housed by Oklahoma a week ago 65-10 you do the math. I'm not big into comparing the two, but it definitely is something you have to take seriously when comparing the teams because the defense is going to be the difference. The fact that Bob Stoops knows Mike Leach very well is another factor as Leach used to be Stoops' offensive coordinator. Leach is not very confident in his QB situation which is the key to any offense he runs, he is quoted as saying, "We've got five to pick from, so hang on," When asked about the QB situation.
