Talking tumbleweeds, Tech and turnovers

Originally Published: Oct 13, 2010 9:46 PM CDT

I remember a trip that I took to Lubbock about 10 years ago to broadcast some college basketball games.  I was driving my Chevy S-10 along a highway headed south out of town when I heard a thump on the back of the truck that knocked me slightly sideways.  What the h*** was that I thought as I turned to look out my passenger side window in time to see a tumbleweed the size of a Volkswagon bug rolling away in the dusty field. 

So Im looking for an edge, one way or the other, in Saturdays shootout in Lubbock.  There will be more footballs flying than tumbleweeds in the Texas panhandle.  Theres one thing that I just cant get over:  Iowa State 52   Texas Tech 38.  And the Red Raiders rallied to make that game close.  Tech trailed 24 to nothing at one point.

Some things to ponder heading into Saturday:

Is it possible the Cowboys might practice some form of ball control in order to keep Techs offense off the field?  Maybe not officially, but I bet they make a huge concerted effort to run the ball early and often.  OSU has by far the better running game and Tech can give ground on the ground.  Iowa State rolled up 251 yards rushing against the Red Raiders.

The OSU defense forces turnovers.  The Cowboys are +5 in turnover margin and their average of +1.0 per game ranks tied for tenth nationally.  And Tech can turn it over.  The Red Raiders gave it away 3 times in the loss to Iowa State and 3 more in their loss to Texas.

OSU has to get off the field  on 3rd down.  Theyve been awful at it for the most part this season.  Tech ranks 1st in the Big 12 and 25th nationally in 3rd down conversion percentage at 47%. 

My prediction:  OSU 42   Tech 39