Ehlinger and No. 8 Texas open Big 12 play at Texas Tech

Updated Sep. 24, 2020 8:20 p.m. ET

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No. 8 Texas (1-0) at Texas Tech (1-0), Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX).

Line: Texas by 18.

Series record: Texas leads 52-17.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Texas needs a quick start in the Big 12 as the Longhorns chase their first league crown since 2009. Texas looked good in its season opener but can't afford an early stumble on the road. Second-year Red Raiders coach Matt Wells needs a signature win. This could be one to jump-start his program.

KEY MATCHUP

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger vs. the Red Raiders' frazzled secondary. Ehlinger is already the school's No. 2 passer in both career yards and touchdowns. He could have easily set Texas singe-game records in both categories against UTEP but hardly played in the second half. The Red Raiders got torched by Houston Baptist's prolific passing game their first time on the field.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Texas: Freshman defensive tackle Alfred Collins was a massive victory for Texas in the recruiting battles and his first game produced his first career sack. Collins' rapid development as dominant pocket pusher could make a huge difference for the Longhorns defense.

Texas Tech: Alan Bowman was one of the top freshman quarterbacks in the country in 2018 until he got hurt and had his 2019 season also derailed by injury. He's back again and threw for 430 yards against Houston Baptist.

FACTS & FIGURES

Texas struggled on the road last season, losing four of five Big 12 games away from Austin. ... Texas quarterbacks threw seven touchdowns to seven different receivers against UTEP. ... Red Raiders linebacker Colin Schooler and Texas wide receiver Brenden Schooler are brothers. They’re also both transfers from Arizona, although Brenden Schooler spent most of his career at Oregon before a brief stay in the desert. ... Ehlinger’s 426 yards passing last week was third-most in school history.

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Colin Schooler

Sam Ehlinger

Alan Bowman

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Longhorns