West Virginia vs. Texas Tech: WVU offense could give Red Raiders trouble

West Virginia's offense this weekend might be too much for the Texas Tech defense, which was one of the highest-rated defenses in the country before last week's 41-20 loss to No. 17 Oklahoma.

The Mountaineers enter Saturday's contest averaging 570 yards per game. Oklahoma, which put 41 on the board against Texas Tech in just three quarters, averaged 492 before beating the Red Raiders.

Improvement from the OU game is vital if the Red Raiders defense has a chance to slow the Mountaineers, Texas Tech Coach Tommy Tuberville said. Against Oklahoma, the defense gave up 150 yards after contact on runs and pass completions, and allowed touchdown passes on two third-and-longs, he said.

"We've got to get back to making sure that we play the way we played in the first four games on defense," Tuberville said. "It wasn't anything other than the fact that we just got there and didn't make plays."

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith has been the offensive anchor this season. He's thrown 24 touchdowns and zero interceptions, while completing 81.4 percent of his passes.

Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin have been on the receiving end the most from Smith. Bailey has 49 catches, 710 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Austin has 58 catches, 662 yards and eight touchdowns.

Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.