• Watch video of Texas Tech coach Mike Leach at Big 12 Media Days:



• See The World-Herald's photo showcase from Texas Tech's 37-31 overtime win over the Huskers in last year's meeting.

• When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
• Where: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln
• TV: ABC
• Radio: 1110 AM KFAB

LAST TIME OUT

The Red Raiders took out some of their recent frustrations by plastering Kansas State 66-14 on Saturday night. After losses to Texas and Houston, they have won two in a row heading into Saturday's game at Nebraska.

With quarterback Taylor Potts sitting because of a concussion, first-time starter Steven Sheffield threw for 490 yards and seven touchdowns against the Wildcats. Texas Tech piled up a stunning 739 yards on a K-State defense that was allowing just 267.2 yards per game — and hadn't allowed any opponent more than 23 points.

The Texas Tech defense was equally effective, limiting the Wildcats to 284 yards and just one offensive score. Kansas State tailback Daniel Thomas came into the game leading the Big 12 with 105.8 rushing yards per game, but managed just 49 on 11 carries and was ineffective on kickoff returns, one of his specialties.

Texas Tech ran its records to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12. So thoroughly beaten were the Wildcats that veteran coach Bill Snyder said afterwards: “I don't know that I've ever experienced a game like this. I'm awful disappointed.''

SYSTEM OR THE QB?

Few probably knew of Sheffield before Saturday night, but his one-game numbers put him right there with some of those recorded by Potts, Graham Harrell, Cody Hodges, Sonny Cumbie, B.J. Symons and Kliff Kingsbury in recent years. Sheffield had 370 passing yards by halftime — a school record — as Texas Tech led 38-0.

Of his 33 completions (on 41 attempts), Sheffield hooked up with 10 different receivers and his touchdowns covered 52, 6, 4, 72, 28, 12 and 25 yards.

Who is Sheffield? The junior comes from Pflugerville, Texas. He arrived in Lubbock as a walk-on and is nicknamed “Sticks” because of his 6-foot-4, 175-pound frame. He also isn't afraid to operate from outside the pocket, not a regular trait of Texas Tech quarterbacks.

Sheffield had been heard from before, throwing three touchdowns against New Mexico on Oct. 3 after Potts was knocked out just before halftime. Potts' situation is unclear for NU on Saturday, but even if he does come back, will his old job be waiting?

“We'll see,” Red Raiders coach Mike Leach told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. “Stay tuned, I suppose. That's what makes sports exciting is it always changes.”

THROW IT TO ME

Michael Crabtree left early for the NFL and Eric Morris graduated, and 171 receptions went with them. So far, Texas Tech has spread it out instead of having one receiver or back step forward and take the brunt of the load.

The highest any Red Raider ranks in the Big 12 is Alex Torres at No. 10 with 31 catches (5.17 per game). Behind the freshman is Detron Lewis with 30 receptions and Tramain Swindall with 24. Lewis caught eight passes for 100 yards against Kansas State.

Also Saturday night, Swindall caught five passes for 97 yards and Jacoby Franks three for 99 yards. Swindall had five catches for 139 yards the week before at New Mexico.

Nebraska, by the way, ranks first in the Big 12 in passing defense, allowing 162.6 yards per game and league lows of 75 completions and one touchdown.

PROTECTING THE FOOTBALL

Texas Tech ranks last in the Big 12 in one team category — and it's an important one.

The Red Raiders have reached the midway point of their season at minus-four in turnover margin. Nobody else in the Big 12 is worse than minus-one, and that includes some of the teams struggling the worst.

Why? It's mainly because Texas Tech has given up the ball 14 times (eight interceptions, six fumbles). It had just one turnover against K-State, but committed 10 in a three-game stretch against Texas, Houston and New Mexico. The Red Raiders have gained as many or more turnovers (10) than five league teams.

Something to watch against Nebraska, no doubt, because the Huskers currently rank second in the Big 12 at plus-five.

SECONDARY ISSUE

Something to watch this week will be the health of Texas Tech starting safety Cody Davis and cornerback LaRon Moore. They were replaced by junior Franklin Mitchem and freshman D.J. Johnson on Saturday night, respectively, and both backups made five tackles.

Davis remains the Red Raiders' leading tackler with 36, including 27 solos. Moore recovered a fumble and broke up a pass against New Mexico, and two weeks earlier intercepted a pass at Texas.

ODDS AND ENDS

Texas Tech has allowed 12 sacks in its last four games, including five at New Mexico when offensive lineman Brandon Carter was suspended. The Red Raider defense has recorded 18 sacks, but Nebraska has surrendered just four. ... Here's something you won't see very often: Tech sophomore kicker Donnie Carona made five tackles on kickoffs against Kansas State. Remember Carona? Leach benched him last season after the Nebraska game because he was 3 of 7 on field goals with four missed extra points, including a blocked extra point in overtime against the Huskers. ... Texas Tech ranks last in the Big 12 in rushing offense (78.0 yards per game) and first in passing offense (443.5). Baron Batch is Texas Tech's leading rusher with 312 yards, including 86 on nine carries vs. K-State. ... Nebraska hasn't beaten Texas Tech since 2001, an 0-3 stretch after being 7-0 against the Red Raiders.

— Rich Kaipust