GAME NOTES: Fresh off a humiliating defeat, the seventh-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders get right back on the horse this weekend against the Baylor Bears in Big 12 Conference action.

This game marks the season finale for Baylor, which owns a 4-7 record as a member of the nation's elite football conference. The Bears carried a four- game skid into a November 15th clash with Texas A&M, and that tilt resulted in a much-needed 41-21 victory. It was only the second time the Bears won in their last 23 meetings with the Aggies. Regardless of the outcome of Saturday's clash, Baylor will not be participating in a bowl game, but the team can certainly play spoiler for Texas Tech.

The Red Raiders controlled their own fate for a trip to the Big 12 title game and a possible national championship appearance, but they were completely dismantled by Oklahoma last week in a 65-21 final. Now, the Red Raiders are tied with Oklahoma and Texas atop the Big 12 South standings, and if all teams win this weekend, which is certainly expected, the BCS rankings would determine the division's representative in the league championship tilt. Tech owned the nation's longest active winning streak coming in to the OU clash at 12 games, and fans of the program are well aware that even after a 10-1 start, there is a good chance that the Red Raiders will be left out of the BCS bowl picture.

Texas Tech has won 12 straight meetings with Baylor to take a 33-32-1 lead in the all-time series.

While wins have been hard to come by for Baylor this season, the future does look bright in Waco, largely because of the presence of freshman quarterback Robert Griffin. The rookie has been sensational, as he has completed 58.7 percent of his passes for 2,000 yards with 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions. Far from just a pass threat, Griffin has run for 744 yards and 11 touchdowns. Clearly, he has been overshadowed by a historically great quarterback crop in the Big 12, but Griffin has Heisman-type ability. The leading rusher for Baylor is Jay Finley, as he has run for 760 yards and seven touchdowns. Kendall Wright recorded 47 catches for 635 yards and five scores to pace the Bears. Baylor is averaging 28.0 ppg and 381.5 total ypg this season, solid numbers for a solid offensive football team.

In the much-needed victory over Texas A&M last time out, Griffin threw for 241 yards and two touchdowns, and the young signal-caller added 56 yards on the ground. Finley finished with 116 yards and a score, while both Thomas White and Kendall Wright had receiving scores.

Opponents are scoring 28.8 ppg and gaining 395.7 total ypg against the Bears, who have certainly faced many explosive offensive teams to date. The best offensive clubs in the nation can be found in the Big 12, and Baylor has already taken on the likes of Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Give the Bears credit for limiting opponents to 3.6 yards per rush, as the run defense has been stronger than the team's play against the pass. While Baylor has yielded its fair share of big plays through the air, the team does have 15 interceptions to its credit. Joe Pawelek is the star of the defense, as he has registered 121 tackles to go along with six interceptions.

Against Texas A&M, Pawelek intercepted a pair of passes and was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week as a result. The Bears limited the Aggies to just 64 rushing yards and came up with five takeaways.

Heading into the Oklahoma game, Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell and his favorite target, Michael Crabtree, were considered leading candidates for the Heisman Trophy. It can only be assumed that both are now on the outside of that bubble. Harrell finished with solid numbers, as he threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns against only one interception, but he was unable to get anything going in the first half. As for Crabtree, he was limited to six receptions for 62 yards. Tech only gained 45 rushing yards in the clash, and while most teams would be thrilled with an offensive output of 406 yards, the Red Raiders certainly expected a better showing.

Through 11 games, they are averaging 45.5 ppg on the strength of 551.7 total ypg. Harrell has connected on 70.5 percent of his passes for 4,438 yards and 39 touchdowns against only six interceptions. Crabtree has seen a decline in his numbers from last year's sensational sophomore season, he has recorded 84 receptions for 1,072 yards and 18 scores.

It was borderline comical how easy it was for Oklahoma to march up and down the field against the Texas Tech defense. The Red Raiders were victimized for five rushing touchdowns and 299 yards on the ground. They were horrendous against the pass as well, permitting the mighty Sooners to average 19.2 yards per completion with four passing scores. By the time the dust settled, Texas Tech allowed 625 total yards and nine touchdowns in what was truly an embarrassing performance.

Opponents are averaging 26.1 ppg against Texas Tech, which is yielding 376.3 total ypg. The Red Raiders have been solid against the run all season, and while they have yielded plenty of yardage through the air, they do have more interceptions (16) than touchdown passes allowed (15). Darcel McBath has been a strong performer for Tech, as he is second on the team with 63 tackles and tops with six interceptions.

Although Texas Tech is bitterly disappointed, a victory over Baylor this weekend is a certainty. Expect a monster performance out of Crabtree, who won't be a non-factor for the second consecutive week.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas Tech 51, Baylor 24