Lubbock, TX (Sports Network) - Graham Harrell threw for a whopping 418 yards and five touchdowns on 31-of-48 passes as the 12-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders walloped the SMU Mustangs, 43-7.

Sophomore sensation Michael Crabtree was Harrell's favorite target, bringing down eight balls for 164 yards and three touchdowns for the Red Raiders (3-0), who have won each of their first three games by double digits. Baron Batch led the ground attack with 99 yards and a score on 10 carries. Daniel Charbonnet had three interceptions for the victors.

Bo Levi Mitchell had a forgettable performance under center for SMU (1-2), throwing five interceptions on 13-of-24 passing for 155 yards. Emmanuel Sanders had eight catches for 125 yards for the Mustangs, who were outgained 693-274.

Despite nearly 10 inches of rain that fell in the Lubbock area over the previous 36 hours, the game was played flawlessly by the home team.

The Mustangs got off to a horrific start as Mitchell was picked off on the first play of the game, setting the tone for a long day for SMU.

The Mustangs' defense held the Red Raiders to a 35-yard field goal by Donnie Carona, but a 45-yard touchdown run from Batch midway through the first quarter gave the favorites a 9-0 edge as the PAT failed.

Mitchell's first pass on the ensuing possession was picked off, setting the stage for Graham and Crabtree's 24-yard touchdown hookup in the back of the end zone with 5:39 remaining in the first quarter.

The two-point conversion failed, but another Crabtree touchdown, this time from 47 yards out, gave the Raiders a 22-0 lead at the break.

The Raiders failed to punch in a score from inside the Mustangs' five-yard line before the break, but a 51-yard pitch-and-catch from Graham to Crabtree on the first drive of the second half made that missed opportunity a distant memory.

Later in the third, Graham found Edward Britton on a seven-yard score, capping a seven-play, 88-yard drive, which was highlighted by a 45-yard reception from Shannon Woods.

Graham's final pass on his prolific day was a 44-yard TD to Detron Lewis two minutes into the fourth, and SMU saved some face with Aldrick Robinson's seven-yard touchdown from Logan Turner with four minutes left in the game.

Texas Tech hosts Massachusetts next weekend, while SMU squares off against TCU...Texas Tech has won five straight games dating back to last year...Last weekend, SMU defeated Football Championship Subdivision member Texas State, snapping an 11-game losing streak dating back to last season, as head coach June Jones notched his first win at the helm of the program. The Mustangs have dropped 11 straight decisions on the road dating back to 2006...Texas Tech leads the all-time series 31-16, including the last 13 meetings...Woods had 86 yards on the ground and 46 through the air.

GAME NOTES: Former Southwest Conference rivals lock horns in Lubbock this weekend, as the 12th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders entertain the SMU Mustangs at AT&T Stadium.

As expected, the Raiders are off to a fast start, defeating each of their first two opponents by double figures. The team kicked off its 2008 campaign with a 49-24 beating of Eastern Washington at home before taking to the road to defeat Nevada, 35-19, last weekend. Texas Tech, which has won four straight games dating back to last year, has now opened a season 2-0 for the fourth consecutive time.

As for SMU, it rebounded from a season-opening loss to Rice (56-27) by defeating Football Championship Subdivision member Texas State, 47-36, last weekend. The victory snapped an 11-game losing streak, as head coach June Jones notched his first win at the helm of the program. The Ponies, unfortunately, now hit the road, where they have dropped 10 straight decisions dating back to 2006.

In terms of the all-time series, Texas Tech leads its former league rival by a 30-16 count and it has won the last 12 meetings dating to 1989.

The Mustangs moved the ball effectively last weekend, totaling 431 yards and six offensive touchdowns in a win over Texas State. More importantly though, SMU didn't turn the ball over and that was a big improvement from the opener when it committed five miscues in a loss to Rice.

Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell led the charge last weekend and was masterful, as he threw for 370 yards and five touchdowns on 24-of-37 pass attempts. It was a much better showing from the true freshman, who passed for 244 yards and three touchdowns in the opener, but also committed four turnovers in that game.

Emmanuel Sanders and Aldrick Robinson were his two favorite targets once again, with Sanders catching eight balls for 138 yards and three scores and Robinson pulling down the same amount of passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. The duo were also effective in the opener, combining for 15 catches, 212 yards and three touchdowns.

While the passing game seems to be flourishing, the same can't be said about the ground attack, which has totaled only 72 yards through the first two contests.

Defensively, SMU has a lot of improving to do if it wants to contend for a winning campaign this season. After allowing 466 total yards to Rice in the opener, the Ponies were beat for a similar 465 yards by a much lesser opponent in Texas State. The unit has surrendered over 200 yards rushing in both games and that is certainly an area that needs improvement. The Mustangs though, have been able to make some big plays, forcing seven total turnovers, including five last weekend.

Peter Fleps led the charge last weekend with 13 tackles and two forced fumbles, while Derrius Bell had a fumble recovery to go along with an interception.

The Red Raiders last weekend, weren't nearly as impressive as they normally are, but the offense still did a solid job in gaining 421 total yards in a win over Nevada. Texas Tech, which amassed 639 total yards versus EWU, hurt itself with nine penalties and two turnovers and those are two areas the team struggled with in the opener as well.

Graham Harrell didn't put forth his best effort either last weekend, as he completed only 19-of-46 pass attempts for 297 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Considered one of the top quarterbacks around, Harrell is expected to be more productive like in the opener, when he threw for 536 yards and a pair of scores.

Michael Crabtree, the nation's top wideout as a freshman last season, broke through against Nevada by catching seven passes for 158 yards, including an 82-yard touchdown reception. It was a typical effort from Crabtree, who had a modest showing in the opener with nine catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.

The Raiders are well known for their prolific air attack, but the ground game has chipped in early on, gaining over 100 yards in each of the first two contests.

Texas Tech's defense bent last weekend, but it never broke and despite allowing 488 total yards to Nevada, the unit gave up just one touchdown.

"The defense bailed us out a bunch of times, said head coach Mike Leach. "Honestly, today which ever team had our defense would have won the game."

Nevada had to settle for four field goals in the game, as the Red Raiders allowed it to convert just 3-of-16 third down chances. The defense also came up with four sacks and a pair of turnovers, keeping Nevada from taking over the game. Bront Bird led the way for Texas Tech with 13 tackles and a sack, while Brandon Williams recorded a pair of sacks. Williams also had a one of the team's three sacks in the opener.

The Red Raiders dodged a bullet last weekend at Nevada, but they showed they could win without playing their best. Expect a better effort by Texas Tech this weekend, especially from Harrell, who should throw all over a soft SMU defense for the victory.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas Tech 49, SMU 20