One thing about Saturday’s matchup between Texas and Texas Tech is clear: When the Longhorns and Red Raiders meet on the football field, there’s going to be a lot of scoring.

Texas Tech has only won four of its last 20 meetings against Texas, but when the Red Raiders  have had the upper hand, it’s mostly in shootout games that come down to the wire.

The lone exception to this trend came in Texas’ loss to Texas Tech in 2017, when the Longhorns scored their fewest points in their last 20 games against the Red Raiders and fell 27-23.

Then-freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger had a chance to put the game away in the final minutes with the Longhorns up three points. But Ehlinger threw an interception that led to the Red Raiders’ game-winning touchdown after a 55-yard interception return.

Since then, the Texas Tech defense has been unable to stop Ehlinger both in the pocket and on the run. In 2018, the then-sophomore quarterback threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns. In 2019, Ehlinger threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 88 yards on 10 carries.

Expect Ehlinger to have a field day on Saturday, but as history shows, the Red Raiders could definitely light up the scoreboard as well.

GAME TO REMEMBER:

Every Texas fan can recall the game where former Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree caught a pass and tiptoed down the sideline for a game-winning touchdown to upset then-No. 1 Texas in 2008.

A 2015 shootout in the rain might also be on the minds of many Longhorn fans when it comes to the Red Raiders. But this week’s game to remember is Texas’ thrilling 2018 victory over Texas Tech.

After starting the 2018 season with a disappointing loss to Maryland, the Longhorns had bounced back and won six straight games, including a 48-45 win over rival Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl.

In the next two games, Texas lost two down-to-the-wire games to Oklahoma State and West Virginia, dealing a blow to its Big 12 title hopes.

The Longhorns seemed poised to put their past woes behind them in Lubbock, leading 27-10 in the third quarter. But with a successful onside kick and 24 fourth-quarter points, the Red Raiders tied the game with 1:45 left in the game. 

It was a defining moment for the Longhorns, who were facing the possibility of a third straight loss.

Enter Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who made a 29-yard touchdown grab over the outstretched arms of a Texas Tech defensive back to salvage the Longhorns’ season in the same exact corner of the field where Crabtree broke so many Longhorn hearts 10 years earlier.

The then-junior wide receiver had a career high 159 receiving yards on eight catches.

“Sam (Ehlinger) believed in me and put it up there for me to go get it, and I came down with it,” Humphrey said.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING:

Nov. 29, 2019: University of Texas at Austin vs. Texas Tech University, Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, 49-24

Nov. 10, 2018: University of Texas at Austin at Texas Tech University, Jones AT&T Stadium, 41-34

Nov. 24, 2017: University of Texas at Austin vs. Texas Tech University, Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, 23-27

Nov. 5, 2016: University of Texas at Austin at Texas Tech University, Jones AT&T Stadium, 45-37

Nov. 26, 2015: University of Texas at Austin vs. Texas Tech University, Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, 45-48