Longhorns wary of Texas Tech

AUSTIN -- Texas coach Mack Brown doesn't want to hear about Texas Tech's soft early season schedule and how the Red Raiders' score-a-minute offense piles up points against inferior teams.

He says the Red Raiders are more dangerous than ever and could derail the Longhorns' goals of winning Big 12 and national championships.

"What they are doing in college football is unheard of, offensively," Brown said. "It's amazing."

Tenth-ranked Texas Tech (6-0, 3-0) meets the No. 2 Longhorns (6-0, 3-0) today in a game with huge implications for the conference and the Bowl Championship Series.

If Texas wins, the Longhorns tighten their grip on the Big 12 South division and their No. 2 position in the BCS. A Red Raiders victory upsets not only the conference race, but also thrusts Tech into the national title chase. The two teams are the only Big 12 squads currently in the AP top 25.

"Someone's going home with a loss," Longhorns defensive end Brian Robison said. "And I don't plan on it being us."

Led by fifth-year senior and first-year starting quarterback Cody Hodges, the Red Raiders lead the nation in points (53.7) and passing yards (472) per game with the shootout offense coach Mike Leach brought to the high plains five years ago.

Some of those gaudy numbers have been cranked up in wins over Florida International (56-3) and Division I-AA teams Sam Houston State (80-21) and Indiana State (63-7). But Brown notes the Red Raiders also beat Kansas, Nebraska and Kansas State, with Hodges passing for 643 yards in last week's 59-20 romp over the Wildcats.

"They beat Nebraska in Lincoln, and we all know that's tough to do," Brown said. "They totally dominated Kansas State. ... Too much has been talked about the first three games instead of the last three."

Tech is ranked in the top 10 for the first time since 1977. It will be the first top-10 team to come to Austin since 1999, when the Longhorns beat No. 3 Nebraska.

As dangerous as Tech can be, the Longhorns must fight an urge to take for granted a team they beat 51-21 last season.

"We are a better focused team than we were last year," Leach said.

The Longhorns have beaten five ranked teams during their 13-game winning streak.

"I believe our offense can put up points just like Tech," Texas wide receiver Limas Sweed said.