LUBBOCK, Texas—Mike Leach wants his Texas Tech team to leave behind last year’s loss at Oklahoma when the Red Raiders play the Sooners on Saturday.
The 65-21 rout last November ended Tech’ unbeaten season and eliminated their chance of playing for the national title. The win kept the Sooners ahead of Texas in the BCS standings and sent OU to play for the national championship against Florida.
This year, Texas Tech needs a win to become bowl eligible for a 16th straight season (a win over FCS team North Dakota does not count). And Oklahoma, unranked last week for the first time since 2005, in looking to improve its bowl position.
Leach says he’s put the 2008 loss to his former boss, OU coach Bob Stoops, in the past.
“Any reflection on that is a complete waste of time,” said Leach, who was Stoops’ offensive coordinator in 1999. “Nothing from that game impacts this game. There’s not one play that we made or they made that affects this game.”
The memory of the raucous OU crowd hasn’t faded much for players on both teams.
In fact, Red Raiders linebacker Bront Bird is looking to Saturday’s game to erase it.
“That was embarrassing and probably the most embarrassing loss I have ever been a part of, and I am sure the rest of the team feels the same way,” he said. “Getting a win this week would get that out of our memories and get that sour taste out of our mouths.”
Oklahoma (6-4, 4-2 Big 12) fed off its fans’ frenzy as the Sooners built an insurmountable lead by halftime.
“Last year’s game was one of the greatest atmospheres I’ve ever played in,” said junior running back DeMarco Murray, who averages 65.8 yards per game. “I’m sure their fans are going to be going crazy for them and making it as loud as it can be come Saturday.”
The Sooners bounced back last week with a 65-10 win over Texas A&M, which beat Texas Tech 52-30 in Lubbock last month. The Red Raiders are coming off a 24-17 loss at Oklahoma State, a game in which Leach swapped quarterbacks twice.
Taylor Potts, who leads the Big 12 in passing yards per game (301), started against the Cowboys and probably will again on Saturday. Against Oklahoma State, Potts was replaced for about two quarters by backup Steven Sheffield, who remains hobbled with a bad foot.
Leach has said he juggled the QBs because he grew “tired of flat spots,” but not just from Potts and Sheffield. He also took aim at receivers and offensive lineman.
“Right now, we are a team that is explosive, but we’re not real consistent,” Leach said. “We’re preparing to do the best we can and see where it takes us.”
The Red Raiders (6-4, 3-3) will face a “basic sound defense,” Leach said. The Sooners pass defense is ranked 18th in the nation (178 yards per game) and will go against Texas Tech’s No. 2 passing offense in the nation, (391 yards).
“They go out there with great fundamentals and energy,” Leach said. “I think they do that as good as anybody.”
One of the lineman likely to cause Tech’s offense some difficulty is Gerald McCoy, a 6-foot-4, 297-pound junior who ranks fourth in the Big 12 and 15th nationally in tackles for loss (13.5 for 55 yards).
Stoops, whose Sooners’ team is 7-2 against Leach, said the Red Raiders are always tough.
“It’s always challenging playing Mike’s teams,” Stoops said. “Mike’s offense at Tech is very unique. Everyone has their different ways they want to move the ball, but (his) is a definite different way than most spreads.”
