In an offensive driven league like the Big 12 Conference the defensive metrics are measured a little bit differently than most leagues.

For instance, it’s safe to throw yards allowed out the window just on the number of plays that a defense is required to defend in any given game on the schedule.

But outside of points allowed, perhaps none is as important as third down defense. It’s been a staple of the Tony Gibson regime as the Mountaineers have yet to allow a Big 12 team to covert over 50-percent of its chances in 22 consecutive games. It’s a streak that dates back to 2013.

That will be tested this weekend against a Texas Tech team that is the top of the conference as well as one of the best in the nation on third downs. The Red Raiders have converted on 53-percent of their attempts this season rolling up yards and plays by keeping the offense on the field.

It’s a battle of strength on strength but one will have to give.

“We have to try to limit possessions and limit snaps and to do that you have to be able to get off the field,” Gibson said. “We have to do a great job on critical downs.”

Critical downs because even if the Mountaineers do stop the Red Raiders on third down, head coach Kliff Kingsbury has shown in previous meetings that he has no reservations going for it on fourth down.

“He’s going to take his chances,” Gibson said.

The Texas Tech offense is one of the top units in the nation averaging a total of 55.2 points and 649.8 yards of total offense, both good for second nationally, while the passing offense accounts for a nation’s best 544-yards per game. The offense is a fast-paced air raid system that looks to use tempo to get defenses off balance while junior quarterback Patrick Mahomes triggers the ball to his playmakers.

The Red Raiders use quick passes and screens to get the ball out of Mahomes hands into the various playmakers on the offensive side which makes bringing pressure a difficult decision.

“We have to take good angles and recognize it and be aware. He’s going to throw it but it’s all about what we’re giving him in the back end. He’s going to read us so disguising will be big,” redshirt senior linebacker Justin Arndt said. “We want to slow them down you don’t want them running 100 plays.”

The Red Raiders have scored 50 points in nine consecutive home games, an NCAA record, so points are likely but the key for West Virginia is to be able to win on third down and when Texas Tech does move the football make them kick field goals instead of scoring touchdowns.

It’s a formula that worked for the Mountaineers defense last season in a 31-26 win. In fact, West Virginia held the Red Raiders to a season low in both yards and points.

“Our red zone defense was good as far as holding them to some field goals. We got a turnover in the red zone. Those are things that will be key and we didn’t let them get off to a fast start,” Gibson said.

Fast starts have been a trademark of the Red Raiders inside Jones AT&T Stadium jumping out to leads in every single game this season and averaging a total of 61 points per game during those three contests.

Another week, another challenge but so is life playing defense in the Big 12.

“Being a defensive coordinator in this league is not fun,” Gibson quirked.