Our starting linebackers provide no help on the pass rush and no help in the pass coverage.

3 more points for Tech in your prediction and we would have the Holy Trinity of football scores.  Texas 59, Tech 45.

... essentially played to a draw in Stillwater, I have no idea how we'll fare on Saturday. OSU = Tech = Texas at this point. Our only advantage is playing at home, and that's a very very slight advantage.

Nice article on a "gritty" Texas team on ESPN:

This Longhorns team isn't dotted with individual talents like some earlier teams. But it has gradually developed a sense of belief that many of Brown's earlier teams never seemed to possess.

"Unlike where we were at in the Kansas State game and the game against Oklahoma, this bunch now believes in each other," Brown said. "We're running the ball better. Our defense is playing better. They think they'll win every game now."

Uh....  which defense is that, Mack?

ESPN

Me and the Old Lady will be in attendance.

Hopefully Leach and his scrappy poop-deck crew won't leave Austin with too much booty, but there most definitely will be some plundering.

Hook 'Em

The only way to stop Tech's offense is to throw it off its rhythm.  What can you do?

You can't really blitz very often because Tech sends so many guys out into the secondary, you need the safeties and linebackers in coverage.  The key to the game is two-fold:

1. get pressure on Harrell from the front four, and

2. harass the receivers at the line.  

If you're getting good pressure on Harrell from the front four, but the CB's are playing 10 yards off the receivers, Harrell will just utilize one of the million dump-off options or quick slants he has on every play.  And many of the yards Tech racks up are yards after catches.  You have to disrupt both Harrell by getting pressure (which eliminates the deeper and slower-developing receiving options) and you have to disrupt the receivers (which eliminates the quick-read receiving threats).

Unfortunately, here's what I've seen from Texas so far this year: 1) an inability to get pressure on any QB with any regularity, and 2) CB's playing 10 yards off WR's.

Here's hoping Akina realizes that Tech is a whole other ballgame.

1.Defense: worried or terrified? Neither, mostly because I expect very little. Much like they dying old man who can look forward to death I have alread accepted my fate.

2. Can we get the offense on track before half time?

Of course, we did last week, 1st quarter is a different story though. But I think Davis has learned something from the last two games.

3. What to do with Michael Crabtree? Lock him in the trunk of a car? Introduce him to Robert Joseph? I don't think we have anybody who can cover him.

4. Prediction? Shootout, of some sort, I think home field advantage gives us a slight edge 41-38 (I just have a fondess for that score). But my lock of the week guaranteed winner is that since my wife has given me a day pass, I will end up inebriated somewhere.

Can someone confirm... If we win out, we can still make the Big XII championship if OU looses vs OSU and Tech, right? But they have to lose both games?

I worry about this game most of all every season.  I live in Lubbock, and that means if Texas loses I get to hear about it for an entire year, many times from people I don't even know.  Anyway, Texas has to do three things to win this game.  

1. Tackle after the catch.  Harrell is not that impressive, his recievers make him look good.

2. Harrass Harrell, when he is in trouble he makes stupid decisions (Colorado/Mizzou)

3. Establish a run game.  Colorado did this and kept the Tech offense off the field.  They dominated the time of Possession and came away with a win.

I am nervous about this because of our lack of a pass defense.  Hopefully, they will step it up this weekend.  My prediction - TX - 35 Tech - 24

My prediction is assuming that Texas can do these things.  If not, who knows what will happen.  Here's hoping that they will win....HOOK 'EM

1. Defense: worried or terrified? Not really worried or terrified. I really think they have a one dimensional, very beatable, offense. We've been in this show before - and I think we'll have their number. (See: Games prior games of Tech with CU, OSU, etc.)

2. Can we get the offense on track before half time? Pretty please?? I'll forgive a unsettled first and second quarter offense if we could cut out the INTs and Fumbles.

3. What to do with Michael Crabtree? I agree, plant someone on him, and shut him out as an option. He will make catches, but someone needs to be there to keep the number low. All the time I see our defenders giving receivers this odd bubble of space. You cannot give Crabtree three or four yards, because he will take them and 15 more.

4. Prediction? Texas by 9.