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GAME NOTES: The second-ranked Texas Longhorns open up Big 12 play this weekend, when they welcome Lone Star State rival Texas Tech to Austin for a showdown at Texas Memorial Stadium.

Mack Brown's squad got off to a slow start at Wyoming last weekend, but the end result was a lopsided 41-10 victory over the Cowboys. The win was the 15th straight non-conference win for Texas, which opened the 2009 season with a 59-20 win over UL-Monroe.

The players change in Lubbock, but the results are usually similar under Mike Leach and this year is no different. The Red Raiders have once again shown their offensive proficiency and come into this contest following a 55-10 whipping of Rice. Tech opened the 2009 campaign with 38-13 victory over North Dakota.

This contest marks the 59th all-time meeting between these two instate rivals, with Texas holding a substantial lead at 43-15 overall. However, it was the Red Raiders that played spoiler last year and destroyed Texas' dream of a national title, with a thrilling 39-33 victory. Texas however, has won five straight meetings in Austin.

Mike Leach has a new signal-caller under center, but not much has changed, as a pass-oriented offense is clicking on all cylinders early on. Against Rice last week, junior Taylor Potts completed 36-of-57 pass attempts for 457 yards and an amazing seven TDs. Lyle Leong finished the game with nine catches, for 117 yards and three TDs, while Tramain Swindall tallied six receptions, for 123 yards and two scores. In all, Tech rolled up 508 yards of total offense, but only 52 yards came on the ground. The team may need to show a little more balance against an opponent like Texas.

Like his predecessors, Potts is thriving under center. He has completed almost 67 percent of his passes in the first two games, for a Big-12 best 861 yards and nine TDs. Leong has been the top downfield target thus far, with 13 catches in the first two games, for 172 yards.

Defensively, Tech has looked solid, but the first two opponents haven't presented much of a threat, amassing just 232 yards of offense per game. The unit was particularly good in the second half against Rice, limiting the Owls to just 154 yards in the final two quarters, while collecting three sacks. In all, the team racked up six sacks in the game, marking the first time that has happened since 2007.

Senior linebacker Marlon Williams has been all over the field in the early going, leading the team with 16 tackles, including five TFLs. He also recorded an interception in the second half against Rice.

Texas played a sluggish first half in Laramie last weekend, but put it together over the final two quarters and rolled to a 31-point win over Wyoming. Heisman hopeful Colt McCoy led an offense that amassed 544 yards, by completing 30-of-47 passes, for 337 yards and three TDs. He added a fourth score on the ground and now is responsible for six TDs (five passing) in the first two games.

The team has shown great offensive balance in the first two outings, churning out 553 yards total per game, with 195 yards on the ground and 358 through the air.

All-American candidate Jordan Shipley has been outstanding on the outside thus far, hauling in 15 balls, for 241 yards and one TD.

The ground game has been a group effort, led by Vondrell McGee (5.0 ypc), Tre' Newton (7.5 ypc) and Cody Johnson (three TDs).

The Red Raiders will definitely represent a challenge for the Texas defense, which has not been tested to date. The stop unit in Austin has done a great job against the run and the pass, resulting in just 285.5 yards per game for opponents.

Still, knowing what Texas Tech is going to do offensively, doesn't give coach Brown any relief.

"They do the same thing every week, and they're averaging 46.5 points a game and they're throwing for more yards than anybody in the country. It's just the same stuff. Mike (Leach) does a great job throwing the ball. They do it every year."

The loss of key personnel up front from 2008 has allowed rush specialist Sergio Kindle to move from his linebacker spot to the defensive line in 2009. Kindle is a difference maker coming off the edge and must be accounted for at all times. That should free up others to make plays, including linebackers Roddrick Muckelroy, Emmanuel Acho and Keenan Robinson.

Potts has played very well thus far, but the Longhorns represent a much better defense than he has faced to date.

Still, Mack Brown doesn't expect much to change under center for the Red Raiders.

"He's the same guy. Just change the numbers. They all have confidence. Mike (Leach) does a really smart thing. Most of those guys have been in the system for a really long time, so it doesn't drop off."

The Longhorns certainly remember what happened last year and McCoy and company won't allow it to come down to the final moments of the game this time around.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas 32, Texas Tech 21