Game Preview: Can Red Raiders Compensate for Bowman’s Absence?

The last time the Cowboys lost in Lubbock was 2008.

Oklahoma State has defeated Texas Tech in the land of airborne tortillas five straight times. The Pokes will have a chance to make it six when they face the Red Raiders at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Here are a few looks into the matchup, but first, every Big 12 team has now played a league game. So, we’ll start with a look at the conference standings.

Big 12 Standings

Offensive Stats

Defensive Stats

Tech Forced to Shift Offense in Bowman’s Absence

Despite not playing last weekend, Alan Bowman’s 154 pass attempts leads the Big 12.

Bowman averaged 51 attempts a game before a shoulder injury forced him out. Last weekend in Norman, the combo of Jett Duffey and Jackson Tyner threw 25 passes.

That led the Red Raiders to running 37 times, the most since their Week 1 blowout win against FCS Montana State.

Duffey, who has emerged as Tech’s starter over Tyner, had some success when filling in for Bowman last season. He completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,221 yards and eight touchdowns, but he also threw six interceptions.

Although he isn’t as reliable as Bowman as a passer, Duffey adds a different dynamic with his ability to run. Duffey ran for 369 yards and four touchdowns in 2018.

“I think they’re gonna do some read stuff with him,” Gundy said Monday. “They want to throw screens. They want to throw bubbles, get the ball out of his hand quick. They like to throw the inside game, slants and such, and then throw it down the field.”

Tech Taking a Committee Approach to Run Game

Armand Shyne, SaRodorick Thompson and Ta’Zhawn Henry have all been handed the ball at least 30 times this season.

For reference, OSU’s backup running back LD Brown has 21 carries to this point, and the next running back, Jahmyl Jeter, has 11.

Tech’s trio has combined for 581 yards and seven touchdowns on 5.6 yards per carry.  Shyne and Thompson have similar body types. Both weigh 210 pounds, and Thompson is listed an inch taller than Shyne. Henry is a smaller, shiftier back at 5-foot-7, 185 pounds.

Without Bowman, the three will likely be called upon more, as they were in Norman. Thompson got the lion’s share of the carries against OU, running for 96 yards on his 13 touches.