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Friday, November 15, 2013

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The Dallas Morning News

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BCS NO. 5 BAYLOR (8-0, 5-0 BIG 12) VS. TEXAS TECH (7-3, 4-3) | 6 p.m. Saturday, AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Ch. 4)

Tech surpassed its ceiling with 7-0 start

Injury challenges too much for Raiders to ultimately overcome
COLLEGES

liff Kingsburys problem in his first season at Texas Tech may be that he got ahead of schedule. All along, the Red Raiders were destined to be a 7-5 or 8-4 team in the best-case scenario, what with the preseason injury to projected starting quarterback Michael Brewer and the midseason hits to the defense. Had Kingsbury started 3-4 and finished with four victories in five games, it would have been different. Instead, Tech started 7-0, raising all kinds of conference and BCS hopes before a current three-game losing streak. What could help perceptions of Techs season in a big way? A win Saturday over BCS No. 5 Baylor at AT&T Stadium. Its possible though even Kingsbury agreed with Baylors status as a 27-point favorite. Tech has played Baylor competitively during the Bears rise to prominence, splitting the last four games in North Texas.

CHUCK CARLTON
[email protected]

Tough month
Texas Tech will be trying to break a trend of November skids when it faces Baylor at AT&T Stadium on Saturday. The breakdown: Season Nov. 2011 0-4 2012 1-3 2013 0-2 Totals 1-9

Tight end Jace Amaro fielded a question this week about revenge, since a Baylor win in 2011 kept Tech from a bowl game. I dont think two years ago matters anymore, Amaro said. But I think that knocking them off from being undefeated will be a great accomplishment this season. To win, Tech will have to overcome the mistakes that have dogged it the last three weeks and much longer in

Stephen Spillman/The Associated Press

Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury hopes to see improvement in the trouble areas that have plagued his team this season.

some cases. Some, like the injury-riddled defense, are simply facts. Certainly Texas Tech cant afford to be as porous as it has been, allowing 849 yards rushing in the last three games. Even with Baylor running backs Glasco Martin (sprained knee) and Lache Seastrunk (groin) gimpy, freshman Shock

Linwood still ranks second in the Big 12 in yards per game. Others are potentially fixable, like turnovers. Tech is tied for 116th in the Bowl Subdivision in turnover margin, with 10 more giveaways than takeaways. That troubling stat is nothing new. Since the 2010 season under three different head coaches, Tech has been on

the positive side of the turnover stat just six times in 32 Big 12 games. Once you play the better teams and you lose the turnover battle, its going to be a tough time winning the games, Kingsbury said. At this point in the season youd think some of those could be eliminated.

Factor penalties into the equation as well. Only Baylor has been penalized more among Big 12 teams than Techs average of 72.3 yards a game. Kingsbury, who had been on a hot streak dating back to last season as Texas A&Ms offensive coordinator, says hes fine despite the three losses. Its part of football, he said. We knew the type of team we had going in, and the areas that we had to improve upon, and we still know those. We just have to keep working and have two really big games left. Im excited to see how our team reacts. Kingsbury has time on his side as a new coach. This season wont define him. Hell have more chances. For now, Kingsbury just wants to see improvement and maybe gain a little momentum. I think coming into it, its always a process, Kingsbury said. We just wanted to get better with each week. We feel like weve done that to an extent.
Follow Chuck Carlton on Twitter at ChuckCarltonDMN

Bill Nichols SATURDAYS NOTABLE GAMES

Baylor vs. Texas Tech (+27) at AT&T Stadium, Arlington
6 p.m., Ch. 4: Undefeated Baylor is looking for a shot at the national title. Tech, losers of three straight, is unsure which freshman quarterback will start and is haunted by a 1-9 record in November since 2011. The Bears lead the Big 12 in rushing. The Raiders have allowed more than 275 yards rushing the last three games. Tech leads the Big 12 in passing. Baylor is No. 1 against the pass. Baylor averages 61.0 points scored and 15.4 allowed, an average margin of 45.6. Tech averages 37.8 points scored and 27.0 allowed, a 10.8-point average margin. So, that makes Baylor a plus-34.8. Subtract three points for Techs underdog motivation, and the Bears win by 31.8. Baylor 52, Texas Tech 20.

BCS NO. 8 CLEMSON 55, GEORGIA TECH 31

IN FOCUS Nick Marshall

QB, Auburn

Georgia (+3 12) at Auburn

2:30 p.m., Ch. 11: The last time Marshall played in this rivalry, he was a Georgia defensive back in 2011. After spending last year at a community college, he will be calling the signals for the Tigers. Marshall has rushed for 734 yards in Auburns zone-read scheme. In last weeks 55-23 win over Tennessee, he had a career-high 214 yards and two touchdowns. That rushing total ranks third all-time among Auburn quarterbacks. The Tigers 33 rushing TDs rank third nationally. Auburn 42, Georgia 30.

QB leads Clemson in romp

Boyd breaks Rivers ACC record for TD passes as Tigers roll
CLEMSON, S.C. Tajh Boyd passed for 340 yards and four touchdowns to break Philip Rivers Atlantic Coast Conference career TD record in No. 8 Clemsons 55-31 victory over Georgia Tech on Thursday night. Boyd has 97 touchdown passes, two more than Rivers now with the San Diego Chargers had at North Carolina State from 2000-03. Boyd left the game and headed to the locker room in the third quarter after hurting his collarbone. But a few minutes later, Boyd bounced around the sidelines, tossing a football and said he was OK to re-enter the game. He didnt need to, not with Clemson (9-1, 7-1 ACC) ahead 41-24. Georgia Tech (6-4, 5-3) had faint hopes of winning the ACC Coastal Division, but fell behind 20-0 early in the second quarter and could not catch up. Sammy Watkins had touchdowns catches of 41 and 44 yards for the Tigers. The stadium went silent when Boyd was down on the field. The mood lightened up when he returned to the sideline and loosed up his arm. Hell need to be healthy in two weeks Clemson faces FCS opponent Citadel to close its home season Nov. 23 when the Tigers look to break a fourgame losing streak to rival South Carolina.
The Associated Press
THURSDAYS RESULTS at Clemson.............. 55 Georgia Tech............... 31 Marshall ................. 45 at Tulsa ..................... 34

Oklahoma State at Texas (+3)

2:30 p.m., Ch. 4: The Longhorns have won six straight; the Cowboys five straight. Both teams average 5.7 yards per play and 4.5 per rush. UT averages 7.2 per pass to OSUs 7.0. OSU has the better rush defense; Texas is better against the pass. The Horns have the edge on third-down conversions, but the Cowboys lead in turnover margin, plus-11 to plus-6. Oklahoma State 38, Texas 34.

Stanford at USC (+3)

7 p.m., Ch. 8: Stanford has won five of its last six against USC, including three straight squeakers. The Trojans are 4-1, including wins over Oregon State and Arizona, under interim coach Ed Orgeron. The Cardinal is coming off a confidence-enhancing 26-20 win over Oregon. A victory keeps USC in the hunt for the Pac-12 South title. Stanford 27, USC 23.

Michigan State at Nebraska (+6 12)

2:30 p.m., Ch. 8: Michigan State seems poised to beat Nebraska for the first time. The Spartans defense held Michigan to minus-48 yards rushing with seven sacks among 11 tackles for loss. The Cornhuskers, always tough at home, revived their season with their dramatic win over Northwestern. Michigan State 31, Nebraska 23.

Houston (+16) at Louisville

6 p.m., ESPNU: A curious point spread considering the Cougars only two losses were to UCF (7-1) and Rutgers (6-3) by a combined six points. Both teams are known for their offenses, but UHs defense leads the nation with 18 interceptions and a plus-21 turnover margin, and Louisville is tied with Alabama for best scoring defense. Louisville 27, Houston 24.

Connecticut (+14) at SMU

2 p.m.: SMUs four American Athletic Conference games have been decided by an average margin of 514 points. The Huskies are looking for their first win. Signs point to Garrett Gilbert, the national leader in total offense, putting up big numbers at home. SMU 38, Connecticut 17.

West Virginia at Kansas (+6 12)

11 a.m.: West Virginia nearly pulled off a stunner against Texas, losing in overtime. The improved Mountaineers must win to keep their bowl hopes alive. Kansas has lost six straight. West Virginia 34, Kansas 23.

Iowa State (+24 12) at Oklahoma

11 a.m., Fox Sports 1: The Sooners are 69-5-2 against the Cyclones, including 14 straight wins. The Sooners are coming off a 41-12 loss to Baylor. The Cyclones suffered their sixth straight defeat, to TCU, 21-17. The rested Sooners should roll at home. Oklahoma 39, Iowa State 13.

Miami at Duke (+3 12)

2:30 p.m.; ESPNU: Both teams are 7-2 but are moving in opposite directions. The Blue Devils have won five straight; the Hurricanes are coming off losses to Florida State and Virginia Tech. In ACC games, Miami leads the series, 8-0. Duke 28, Miami 24.

LAST WEEK: 7-3 straight, 6-3-1 vs. line; SEASON: 85-26 straight, 63-43-5 line

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

College picks

CHUCK CARLTON

TIM COWLISHAW
Columnist vs. Line Straight Baylor Baylor Okla. St. Okla. St. Iowa St. Oklahoma W. Virginia W. Virginia SMU SMU Rice Rice S. Carolina S. Carolina Miss. St. Miss. St. Auburn Auburn USC USC Maryland Va. Tech Nwestern Nwestern Ohio St. Ohio St. Mich. St. Mich. St. Oregon St. Oregon St. Colorado Colorado Oregon Oregon Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Indiana Wisconsin Penn St. Penn St. 6-13-1 (.316) 107-108-5 (.498) 16-4 (.800) 170-50 (.773)

CORBY DAVIDSON
The Ticket vs. Line Straight Baylor Baylor Okla. St. Okla. St. Iowa St. Oklahoma W. Virginia W. Virginia SMU SMU Rice Rice S. Carolina S. Carolina Alabama Alabama Auburn Auburn Stanford Stanford Va. Tech Va. Tech Nwestern Nwestern Ohio St. Ohio St. Mich. St. Mich. St. Arizona St. Arizona St. California California Oregon Oregon Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Indiana Wisconsin Purdue Penn St. 11-8-1 (.579) 106-109-5 (.493) 16-4 (.800) 166-54 (.755)

KATE HAIROPOULOS
Colleges vs. Line Straight Baylor Baylor Okla. St. Okla. St. Oklahoma Oklahoma W. Virginia W. Virginia SMU SMU Rice Rice S. Carolina S. Carolina Alabama Alabama Auburn Auburn Stanford Stanford Va. Tech Va. Tech Nwestern Nwestern Ohio St. Ohio St. Mich. St. Mich. St. Arizona St. Arizona St. Colorado Colorado Oregon Oregon Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Wisconsin Wisconsin Penn St. Penn St. 11-8-1 (.579) 118-97-5 (.549) 13-7 (.650) 167-53 (.759)

EMILY JONES
vs. Line Straight Texas Tech Baylor Texas Texas Iowa St. Okla. St. W. Virginia W. Virginia Connecticut SMU La. Tech Rice Florida S. Carolina Alabama Alabama Auburn Auburn Stanford Stanford Maryland Va. Tech Nwestern Nwestern Illinois Ohio St. Nebraska Mich. St. Oregon St. Arizona St. California California Oregon Oregon Kentucky Vanderbilt Wisconsin Wisconsin Purdue Penn St. 5-14-1 (.263) 88-127-5 (.409) 15-5 (.750) 165-55 (.750)

BILL NICHOLS
Colleges vs. Line Straight Baylor Baylor Okla. St. Okla. St. Oklahoma Oklahoma W. Virginia W. Virginia SMU SMU Rice Rice S. Carolina S. Carolina Miss. St. Alabama Auburn Auburn Stanford Stanford Va. Tech Va. Tech Michigan Michigan Ohio St. Ohio St. Mich. St. Mich. St. Oregon St. Arizona St. California California Oregon Oregon Kentucky Vanderbilt Wisconsin Wisconsin Penn St. Penn St. 12-7-1 (.632) 125-90-5 (.581) 15-5 (.750) 173-47 (.786)

KEVIN SHERRINGTON
Columnist vs. Line Straight Texas Tech Baylor Okla. St. Okla. St. Oklahoma Oklahoma W. Virginia W. Virginia SMU SMU Rice Rice Florida S. Carolina Alabama Alabama Auburn Auburn Stanford Stanford Va. Tech Va. Tech Nwestern Nwestern Ohio St. Ohio St. Mich. St. Mich. St. Arizona St. Arizona St. Colorado Colorado Oregon Oregon Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Wisconsin Wisconsin Penn St. Penn St. 10-9-1 (.526) 119-96-5 (.553) 15-5 (.750) 175-45 (.795)

BRETT VITO
Denton Record-Chronicle vs. Line Straight Texas Tech Baylor Okla. St. Okla. St. Oklahoma Oklahoma W. Virginia W. Virginia Connecticut SMU Rice Rice S. Carolina S. Carolina Alabama Alabama Auburn Auburn Stanford Stanford Va. Tech Va. Tech Nwestern Nwestern Ohio St. Ohio St. Mich. St. Mich. St. Oregon St. Arizona St. Colorado Colorado Oregon Oregon Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Wisconsin Wisconsin Penn St. Penn St. 10-9-1 (.526) 106-109-5 (.493) 15-5 (.750) 174-46 (.791)

Colleges vs. Line Straight Baylor vs. Texas Tech (+27) Baylor Baylor Oklahoma State at Texas (+3) Okla. St. Okla. St. Oklahoma Oklahoma Iowa State (+2412) at Oklahoma W. Virginia W. Virginia West Virginia at Kansas (+612) Connecticut (+14) at SMU SMU SMU Louisiana Tech (+17) at Rice La. Tech Rice S. Carolina S. Carolina Florida (+1312) at South Carolina Alabama at Mississippi State (+25) Miss. St. Alabama Auburn Auburn Georgia (+312) at Auburn Stanford at USC (+3) USC USC Va. Tech Maryland (+1412) at Virginia Tech Maryland Michigan (+3) at Northwestern Michigan Michigan Ohio State at Illinois (+33) Ohio St. Ohio St. Michigan State at Nebraska (+612) Michigan St. Mich. St. Oregon St. (+1312) at Arizona St. Oregon St. Arizona St. California (+3) at Colorado Colorado Colorado Utah (OFF) at Oregon Oregon Oregon Kentucky (+13) at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Indiana (+21) at Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin Penn St. Penn St. Purdue (+2112) at Penn State Last week vs. line 12-7-1 (.632) Season vs. line 115-100-5 (.535) Last week straight 15-5 (.750) Season straight 174-46 (.791) Lines through Tuesday; shaded box indicates leader
OFF Key: Oregon QB Marcus Mariota questionable

REGIONAL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

SATURDAYS GAMES Iowa St. at Oklahoma (Fox 1) 11 am Troy at Ole Miss (ESPNU) 11 am West Virginia at Kansas (FSSW) 11 am Kentucky at Vanderbilt (Ch. 21) 11:21 am Abilene Christian at Prairie View 1:00 Connecticut at SMU 2:00 Howard at Texas Southern 2:00 Georgia at Auburn (Ch. 11) 2:30 Oklahoma St. at Texas (Ch. 4) 2:30 TCU at Kansas St. (FSSW) 2:30 Sam Houston St. at SE Louisiana (Ch. 47) 3:00 Houston at Louisville (ESPNU) 6:00 Florida at South Carolina (ESPN2) 6:00 Texas Tech vs. Baylor (Ch. 4) 6:00 (at Arlington) Stephen F. Austin at Lamar 6:00 Louisiana Tech at Rice (CBSSN) 6:00 Texas St. at Arkansas St. 6:30 Alabama at Mississippi St. (ESPN) 6:45 FIU at UTEP 7:00

C8 11-15-2013 Set: 22:34:57 Sent by: [email protected] Sports

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