Texas Waltz

Texas Tech completes 4-game streak
by Mizzou Matt

COLUMBIA, MO- For the past few weeks, the Tigers have become familiar with the state of Texas. Mizzou is already very familiar with the largest state in the contiguous 48, due in large part to the recruiting pipeline, but the way the schedule was planned has taken the popular "Texas Two-Step", and turned it into a waltz.

The Tigers are leading this year's series against Texas teams 2-1 and are outscoring opponents  94-78 in that same stretch.

Missouri started off the four games against Texas teams with a thrilling 38-31 overtime win against Texas A&M in College Station. The very next week, the Tigers traveled to Waco and Floyd Casey Stadium to face the Baylor Bears. They limped back to Columbia after a heart wrenching 42-39 loss. Game three of the stretch was November 12th vs Texas, a game that wasn't as enthralling as the previous two. Still, Mizzou came away with the 17-5 win. The Texas Waltz wraps up with the Red Raiders of Texas Tech coming to Columbia for Mizzou's final home game. It's senior day, and the Tigers will honor their departing seniors, as they've done for many years. The game is also the "Blackout" game, in which the fans are encouraged to wear black instead of gold.

Texas Tech is coming off a three-game losing streak. They lost 41-7 vs Iowa State (Mizzou def. ISU 52-17 on Homecoming). Tech also lost to Texas 52-20 (Mizzou def. Texas 17-5). The most embarrassing loss was to Oklahoma State, 66-6 (Mizzou lost to OKST 45-24). The only points scored by Tech was a fumble returned for a touchdown as the Raiders' offense was completely over matched and shutdown. Since defeating Oklahoma 41-38, Tech has been outscored 159-33. Quarterback Seth Doege was held to a season low 169 yds passing against the Cowboys, and the Raiders' rush defense has been anything but respectable. Iowa State rushed for over 300 yards against Tech. Oklahoma State's Herschel Sims ran for 109. Texas' Bergeron ran for 191 as the Longhorns ran for 400+. All in all, Texas Tech has allowed their opponents to rush for nearly 1000 yards in the previous three games (990- 368 by ISU, 453 by Texas, 169 by OKST). The message is abundantly clear: RUSH THE BALL.

But can Mizzou move the ball on the ground after losing Henry Josey, the Big 12's leading rusher? They have the experience at running back to do so. Kendial Lawrence, who was the starter until being sidelined with an injury, ran the ball for 100+ and a touchdown against the Longhorns.

Mizzou (5-5, 3-4) needs just one more win to become bowl eligible, and the upcoming game against Tech (5-5, 2-5) could be the one to push them over the cusp. The Tigers close out their final year in the Big 12 against Kansas, in Kansas City, on November 26. The Jayhawks are 2-8, 0-7 on the season.