The Red Raiders’ strategy flies in the face of conventional football wisdom. You must establish the running game. Texas Tech isn’t going to run. And still, it defies you to stop its passing game.

“Every defensive back on this team is excited this week,’’ Longhorns cornerback Aaron Ross said. “A team passing the ball 75, 80 times a game, that’s really exciting for a defensive back. That basically means the game comes down to us stopping the receivers. That’s what we live for.’’

At Texas Tech, the short pass is effectively a run. The Red Raiders use a lot of crossing patterns, relying on the decision-making ability of Hodges.

Clearly, they don’t have talent on the level of a Texas or USC. But they do have a scheme that must be respected.

“This could be the best team we face all year,’’ Texas guard Will Allen said.

The respect is there. Texas knows it can not let down, not for a moment, if it wants a return trip to Pasadena. By stopping the Red Raiders, Texas can give the nation something to think about.

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It also might be the last chance for the Longhorns to make an impression. The Big 12 is down. The Longhorns will get a good test from Texas A&M in the regular-season finale, but should be solidly favored. Otherwise, it’s difficult to see a realistic challenge for the Longhorns.

While Texas has actually gained ground on USC in the polls, there are rumblings from the number-crunchers. An unbeaten ACC team (Virginia Tech?) or an unbeaten SEC team (Georgia? Alabama?) might sway some influence. Regardless of how it breaks down, someone is setting up to become the next Auburn (unbeaten, yet denied a spot in the BCS championship game).

Texas wants to avoid that fate.

“If we do what we have to do, we’ll be fine,’’ Brown said. “You start thinking about that [BCS] and you might slip up.’’

What must the Longhorns do? They must keep winning and their defense must put on a show against Texas Tech. That would get your attention. That would leave an impression.

And maybe it would cause the imagination to race into January, where USC’s offense could appear a little less unstoppable. Slowing down the Red Raiders would inspire that type of confidence and keep the Longhorns rolling along.

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