No. 2 Longhorns Open Conference Play Against Texas Tech

Texas travels to Lubbock for a weekend series to kick off Big 12 play.

Texas enters their weekend clash with Big 12 foes Texas Tech the winners of five straight games, most recently beating Central Arkansas 7-2 on Tuesday. While the Longhorns enter conference play on five straight wins and full of confidence, the Red Raiders are not a team to take lightly and could very easily upset the Longhorns in this series. 

Murphy Stehly

Doug Hodo

Silas Ardoin

Look no further than here for everything you need to know about the series, from how to watch to a breakdown of Texas Tech. 

---

How to watch

All three games will be available to stream on Big 12 Now, on ESPN+

Game 1: Friday at 6:30 p.m. Central 

Game 2: Saturday at 2 p.m. Central

Game 3: Sunday at 2 p.m. Central

A look at Texas Tech's season so far

Texas Tech has had a very strong start to their season, entering this weekend as the No. 16 team in the country. The Red Raiders have put together a nine-game win streak this season as well as a seven-game win streak, looking almost unbeatable at times with a potent offense capable of scoring in bunches. 

Texas Tech by the numbers

Record: 18-4

Runs scored: 208

Runs allowed: 92

Team ERA: 3.90

Team Avg.: .290

Texas Tech wins the series if...

They can get to the Texas bullpen early in games. Starters Pete Hansen and Tristan Stevens, and even Lucas Gordon possibly, have shown that they can be aces of the staff and shut down opponent lineups when they take the mound. While the Longhorns have reliable bullpen arms such as Travis Sthele, Luke Harrison, and others, asking them to pitch long innings and slow down a potent Red Raider offense is tough. If Texas Tech can knock the Longhorn starters out of games early this weekend, it could be a long weekend for Texas. 

Texas wins this series if...

The pitching staff slows down the Red Raider offense enough for the Longhorn bats to do their thing. Texas' trio of Pete Hansen, Tristan Stevens and new Sunday starter Lucas Gordon have been effective to start the season, but this could be their hardest matchup yet. If they are able to slow down the Red Raider bats just enough, look for the Texas offense, led by guys like Ivan Melendez and Murphy Stehly, to continue to put up runs in clutch spots and walk away from this weekend with a series win to open conference play. 

Pete Hansen

Tristan Stevens

Lucas Gordon

---

You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Longhorns? Click Here

Want to join in on the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Longhorns Country message board community today!

Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook.