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Top-ranked Texas visits unbeaten Texas Tech in Big 12 showdown

Nov 1, 2008 - 10:54 AM (1) Texas (8-0) at (5) Texas Tech (8-0), 8:00 pm EDT

LUBBOCK, Texas (Ticker) -- Texas is closing in on a national title while quarterback Colt McCoy is chasing a Heisman Trophy. Both could depend on this Saturday's performance.

McCoy and the top-ranked Longhorns face their toughest remaining test on the schedule when they visit Big 12 Conference rival Texas Tech.

Texas (8-0, 4-0 Big 12 South), which is playing its fourth consecutive team ranked in the top 12, may have survived its biggest scare of the year last week.

McCoy threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score while the Longhorns used a late defensive stand to escape with a 28-24 victory over then-No. 8 Oklahoma State.

After the win, McCoy had already turned his attention to the Red Raiders (8-0, 4-0).

"I think it's going to be another great crowd (at Texas Tech)," McCoy said. "That's what you come here for. It's one of those things where honestly if you love this game and have passion for this game, it's really hard not to get fired up."

McCoy thrust his name to the top of most Heisman lists by completing over 85 percent of his passes in convincing victories over then-No. 1 Oklahoma and then-No. 12 Missouri over the previous two weeks.

McCoy was impressive again last Saturday, finishing 38-of-45 for a career-high 391 yards. The junior has passed for 2,285 yards and 21 touchdowns with four interceptions while also gaining a team-high 412 rushing yards with seven more scores.

If history is any indication, Texas appears to have the advantage in the last contest between undefeated teams until at least the national title game.

The Longhorns have put on an offensive show against Texas Tech the past few years, winning each of the last five meetings - including last season's 59-43 victory. Texas has won eight of the last nine meetings, scoring over 50 points in four of those contests.

The Red Raiders, who have just 14 wins in 57 all-time games against their in-state rivals, can vault themselves into the national championship picture with a win. Quarterback Graham Harrell also has a chance to pass McCoy in the Heisman race.

Texas Tech delivered a message to the rest of the Big 12 last Saturday as Harrell threw five touchdown passes and ran for another score in a 63-21 rout of then-No. 18 Kansas.

"It's all about having fun," said Harrell, who moved to fourth place on the NCAA's all-time list for career passing yards. "When we have fun, we're at our best. We went out and tried to have a good time. That's what we did, and we played really well."

It was the start of a daunting four-game stretch for the Red Raiders, who face Oklahoma State and Oklahoma in their next two contests.

"All of the games leading up to this game were big games," Texas Tech coach Mike Leach said. "You just have to do the same stuff. We will prepare well and see where it takes us. We just have to worry about ourselves and what we can do to get better. We have to keep our eye on the task at hand."