What the tortillas? The BON staff predictions are in as Texas travels to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech

Playing in Lubbock on Saturday, the Longhorns will look to win their first road game of the season when they take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders at 11 a.m. CT.

If you aren’t making the three-and-a-half day pilgrimage to the Llano Estacado, then you can catch the game on FS1.

Wescott Eberts — editor

So far, I've predicted Longhorns victories for each of the road games and missed. I predicted a big Baylor win last weekend... Maybe I'm just not very good at this? Predictions are hard.

Texas faces the season's fourth opportunity to finally come up with a road win against a flawed Texas Tech team that could give up 300 yards rushing to D'Onta Foreman -- assuming the star running back doesn't get too tired before reaching that mark. Let's at least chalk down another monster day for him.

Defensively, the 'Horns will face one of the top quarterbacks in the country in Patrick Mahomes, who will have some extra motivation this weekend after Breckyn Hager expressed the Texas defense's desire to injure "that quarterback."

The secondary is improving with Kris Boyd and John Bonney, but Davante Davis and Holton HIll may need to finally step up since the Red Raiders will likely run a lot of plays -- over 85 per game.

Watch out for third-down defense in this one -- Texas struggles in that department, while Texas Tech leads the nation. Mahomes is especially dangerous passing when facing third down and long, an area where the 'Horns have struggled.

This figures to be a close game, but I think I'll try on a little optimism this weekend and set myself up to go 0-4 in road predictions.

Texas 45, Texas Tech 41

Cody Daniel — co-editor

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, especially considering Texas is 0-4 away from Austin this season, but I think the 'Horns will do just enough to escape Lubbock with a win.

We all know how explosive Texas Tech's offense is, but just as evident is as how poor its defense is — the Red Raiders rank 126th of 128 teams in total defense.

I'd be surprised if the two don't combine for at least 80 points on Saturday morning, but I think the difference will be a single defensive stand and a turnover or two, which I think gives the edge to Texas.

The 'Horns have forced 10 turnovers since Charlie Strong took over play-calling duties and have added 16 sacks and 31 tackles for loss in the last three games.

It still won't be perfect, but I think the defense will continue to progress against Texas Tech and the Longhorns offense should get whatever it wants on most series.

Texas 44, Texas Tech 38

Abram Orlanksy — staff writer

I can't pick these Longhorns to win away from DKR until they show they're capable of it.

Texas matches up fine with Tech, as teams have been hurting us more on the ground than through the air the last couple of weeks, but with the game being in Lubbock I just can't pull the trigger on picking Texas to win.

I see a shootout with the offense doing enough to win, but the D letting them down again. Guessing 600+ yards for the Red Raiders but unlike the Baylor game, no huge turnovers in the red zone.

Tech 50, Texas 41

Michael Pelech — staff writer

At this point, I feel like I'm taking a gamble by putting in a prediction. I think Texas has lost every game I've predicted them to win. But the Cubs just won the World Series, so let's break another curse.

Foreman gets to 200 again, Shane Buechele throws for a career high, and the defense does just enough to survive the onslaught from the hampered Patrick Mahomes by picking up a few fortunate turnovers.

Texas 50, Tech 45

Robert Larkin — staff writer

I’m pretty sure I’ve missed on several of my last picks, so proceed with caution when reading this blurb.

Texas is going to roll into Lubbock with a lot to play for, as they will essentially play for Charlie Strong’s job every week for the rest of the season. I’ve seen Texas Tech play a few games this year, and all I know is that I expect to see very little defense from both teams.

D’Onta Foreman should have a field day against the porous Tech run defense, and Shane Buechele could also see a big day. I think Texas will not only need to give Foreman his share, but also vertically challenge the Tech secondary.

On the flip side, Texas needs to find a way to contain Patrick Mahomes, something only West Virginia has done a really good job of doing. I’m concerned that the Texas defensive line may be too weak and its secondary is too soft to keep this game from turning into a shootout.

Expect offensive fireworks this Saturday, and the team that controls time of possession will win the football game.

I think Texas controls the ball and run game just enough, pulling out a big road win in Lubbock.

Texas 52, Texas Tech 45

Wes Crochet — staff writer

I didn’t like this game back when I predicted Texas would end the season 8-4, and though I like it better now, I still don’t like it enough.

It’s on the road, at 11 a.m., and against one of the best spread offenses in the country led by a quarterback who can sling it just about anywhere on the field while also using his feet to make some plays. However, it should be noted Mahomes has been playing with an injured shoulder that is less than 100 percent.

Aside from what Tech and Mahomes typically do, let’s also not forget that none of the first- or second-year players on the Texas roster have ever played in Lubbock, and that shouldn’t be overlooked.

It’s not all bad for Texas, though — Tech is awful on defense, and that’s nothing new. And if Mahomes is injured more than we may think, Texas could catch Tech in a game where its offense isn’t at full strength.

But this game still probably comes down to what the Texas defense can (or can’t) do Saturday morning.

Picking Texas would mean I trust the Texas defense to get enough pressure on Mahomes up front while playing well enough on the back end in the secondary to at least give themselves a chance on offense to get the ‘Horns on the plus side of the scoreboard by the end of it.

Yes, Texas beat Baylor last week. And yes, Baylor runs a spread offense. But Baylor’s spread is different. And I didn’t see the Texas defense get tested against Baylor like it likely will against Tech. I also still am not sold this secondary can hold up against a passing attack like Tech’s.

I’ll gladly be wrong, but there seems to be too many trends going against the ‘Horns in this one for me to take Texas.

Texas Tech 45, Texas 41