Red Raiders put aside distractions, top Spartans in Alamo Bowl

NCAA Football Betting Lines

01/03/2010 - San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Steven Sheffield came off the bench and sparked a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, as his touchdown pass to Detron Lewis proved to be the difference in Texas Tech's 41-31 victory over Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl.

Down, 31-27, midway through the final frame, Sheffield relieved Taylor Potts and connected on 6-of-6 passes for 75 yards on the pivotal march, which was capped by an 11-yard rifle to Lewis with 5:03 to play.

Franklin Mitchem's leaping interception of a Kirk Cousins pass on the ensuing possession and Baron Batch's touchdown run put the finishing touches on a tumultuous week for the Red Raiders, who fired embittered head coach Mike Leach on Wednesday amid allegations of abuse of a player.

Potts injured a finger on his non-throwing hand in the fourth after throwing for 372 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Texas Tech (9-4), which dropped a 47-34 decision to Ole Miss in last year's Cotton Bowl.

Lewis ended with 114 yards on 10 catches, while Batch added 100 yards and two scores on 22 carries in the win.

Cousins finished with 220 yards and two interceptions on 13-of-27 passing for the Spartans (6-7), who have dropped four straight bowl games. Keshawn Martin caught a TD from Cousins and tossed another to Blair White, who logged 114 yards on six grabs.

Edwin Baker amassed 97 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries for Michigan State, which was playing shorthanded after head coach Mark Dantonio suspended several players -- including three starters -- and dismissed two others for their role in dorm brawl.

With defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill serving as interim head coach and Adam James -- the player involved in the Leach incident -- standing on the sideline, Texas Tech went in front, 34-31, when Lewis caught Sheffield's quick out at the right sideline and spun his way across the goal line.

Following Mitchem's pick at the MSU 35, the Red Raiders went for it twice on fourth down and converted both times, as Alexander Torres caught a six-yard slant on 4th-and-5 and Lewis hauled in a five-yard out on 4th-and-4.

Batch's 13-yard jaunt over the goal line with 2:08 remaining clinched the fulfilling win.

Cousins was picked off in Texas Tech territory on the game's opening touch, and the giveaway turned into seven points when Batch took a handoff and ran into the end zone on third down from the MSU three.

Baker tied the game by running through the TTU defensive line for a 46-yard scamper at the 3:47 mark of the opening quarter.

Matt Williams' 21-yard field goal on the second play of the second quarter put the Red Raiders back on top, and Potts made it 17-7 when he found Lyle Leong for a two-yard score at the 11-minute mark. The TD was set up by Austin Zouzalik's 51-yard reception on a flea flicker.

Three minutes later, Cousins cut into the deficit when he escaped a sack and found Martin behind the secondary for a 48-yard touchdown.

Williams missed a 48-yarder on the ensuing drive but booted a 38-yard try just before halftime after Brett Swenson's 52-yard attempt for MSU was blocked.

Swenson made up for his missed field goal when he recovered Eric Stephens' fumble on the second half kickoff. Backup quarterback Keith Nichol gave the Spartans their first lead, 21-20, on a seven-yard draw following the turnover.

With 6 1/2 minutes left in the third, TTU's Jacoby Franks hauled in a 14-yard pass in the end zone to cap a nine-play, 92-yard drive highlighted by Batch's 49-yard reception.

A pair of trick plays later in the frame gave Michigan State the lead again. After punter Aaron Bates hit Charlie Gantt for an 18-yard pass on a fake field goal try, Martin lined up behind center and hit White for an eight-yard score.

Potts was picked off on the third play of the fourth, leading to a Swenson 44- yard field goal to increase Michigan State's lead to 31-27 with 8:05 to play.

Sheffield then stepped on their field and swung the game's momentum.

Game Notes

This was the first-ever meeting between the teams... The Red Raiders improved to 11-22-1 in bowl games, while Michigan State is now 7-13 in postseason play...James was on the sideline but not dressed to play...Martin logged 86 yards on four grabs for Michigan State, which had just 13 first downs compared to 31 for Texas Tech...Potts completed 29-of-43 passes, while Sheffield was 9- of-11 for 88 yards...Batch added 85 yards on six grabs...The Red Raiders outgained the Spartans, 579-396.

Pacific-10 Conference odds

Teams that should be in: Stanford

Oregon and USC get their tickets punched after taking care of business this weekend. Yes, the Trojans' computer numbers aren't great, but there's no way the third-place team in this league is getting nixed. Grudgingly, I added Arizona after consultation with our Bracketologist. I don't know that Arizona will lose its last three (including a Pac-10 quarterfinal game), and even if the Cats do, I still can't see how they'd be left out, given the overall profile. That said, it bears watching, as three more L's would leave them at 18-12 (9-9) and on a 6-11 skid entering the Dance. It would be nice to see the Wildcats get at least one W in the Bay Area next week, as Cincinnati (albeit without Armein Kirkland and with a worse profile) was axed after a similar slide last season. I just couldn't rationalize having some of the other teams as locks and not having Arizona in that category -- there just aren't enough good teams behind the Cats to threaten their spot, it seems. Stanford has its fate in its own hands with the Arizona schools coming to the Farm to close out the regular season next weekend.

Should be in:

Stanford [17-10 (9-7), RPI: 40, SOS: 21] No shame in not getting a win in L.A., but that makes the home game against Arizona State a must-win ahead of what could be an intriguing meeting with Arizona should the Cats lose at Cal. Getting to 11 Pac-10 wins would make Selection Sunday much more comfortable, but 10's probably more than enough this season. The Cardinal have nonconference wins over Texas Tech and at Virginia to lean on, although they also lost badly to Air Force and Santa Clara at home.

Southeastern Conference odds

Work left to do: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Mississippi State It looks more and more possible that no one from the SEC West will make the NCAAs. How weird is that? Tennessee and Vandy move into the locks category after more good work this weekend. Kentucky stays there, although it would be smart for the Cats to handle Georgia at home Wednesday ahead of a trip to the Swamp. Could a disaster scenario (two more L's and a first-round SEC tourney exit) somehow dislodge the Cats despite their incredible computer numbers? Still unlikely, but not worth chancing it. Work left to do: Alabama [19-9 (6-8), RPI: 43, SOS: 47] The tough L at Tennessee was understandable, and even created some hope. Unfortunately, that hope was dashed by a home loss to Auburn, which leaves the Tide in some real trouble. There's still no signature win on the profile (no, Kentucky doesn't count), and the computer profile is weakening rapidly. The Tide conceivably could beat Ole Miss and win at Miss. State to get to 8-8 and clinch at least a share of the West crown, but that's probably not enough right now. The Tide will need to do some work in the SEC tourney. Georgia [16-10 (8-6), RPI: 52, SOS: 23] This is the team with the best chance to make it from this section right now. The Bulldogs rebounded from a terrible performance at Ole Miss to beat down Miss. State. Now they are at Kentucky (king of the RPI 51-100 win) and home to Tennessee. That would be worth a lot of computer points to get both (which is doable), as both teams are in the top 11 in RPI. Finishing at least 9-7 is an absolute must, and I would feel much better about the Dawgs' chances if they got both to get to 10 SEC wins. They also beat Gonzaga, but lost to ACC bubblers Georgia Tech and Clemson. Mississippi [18-10 (7-7), RPI: 63, SOS: 79] Like everyone else in this division, Ole Miss gacked up a chance to stake a claim, losing by double figures at South Carolina. Even 9-7 likely is not nearly enough with a nonconference profile devoid of anything notable. Mississippi State [16-11 (7-7), RPI: 66, SOS: 37] With a chance to get in the mix, these Bulldogs were leashed by their Georgia counterparts. Could they get to 9-7? I guess -- although winning at Arkansas, then beating Alabama is no lock -- but would that mean all that much for a team with this overall profile? Probably not. There's nothing of note (on the good side) in the nonconference profile.

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