NORMAN, Okla. (U-WIRE) -- Texas Tech quarterback B.J. Symons will look to break the NCAA single-season record for passing yards in a season against Oklahoma.

Symons has thrown for 5,106 yards this season. The record is 5,188, set by BYU's Ty Detmer in 1990.

Detmer set the record in 12 games. Symons had a chance to set the record in 11 games Saturday against Texas. However, Texas held Symons to his lowest passing output of the season.

Symons threw for 365 yards in Texas Tech's 43-40 loss to the Longhorns.

Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach has downplayed Symons' assault on the record book.

"It's clear he knows how to throw the ball, and he can do it against the best competition in the country," Leach said. "I don't think how many yards he breaks it by should be a big distinction."

This week Symons faces the OU defense, which is ranked first in the nation against the pass. OU is also ranked first in the nation in total defense.

"Texas Tech is a team that is throwing up a ton of yards and points on everyone they've played," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "They put up over 500 yards on Texas. They are very explosive. We feel we counter with a strong defense, which has been evident throughout the year. It'll be another big challenge."

The Red Raiders had 527 yards of total offense and 32 first downs against Texas.

However, OU has already faced the style of offense Texas Tech runs.

Fresno State ran several screen passes in its Sept. 13 loss. OU held Fresno to 30 passing yards in the first half. Against the OU second-string defense, the Bulldogs passed for 112 yards in the second half.

Symons' success can be attributed both to his decision making and the play of his receivers. Four Texas Tech receivers are in the top 50 in the nation in receiving yards per game. Five receivers are in the top 50 in receptions per game.

Unless he is injured early in the OU game, Symons will break Detmer's record on Saturday. Symons is in the running for several awards, including the Davey O'Brien and the Heisman. However, the Red Raiders' 7-4 record may keep Symons from winning much hardware after the season is done.

Detmer won the Heisman in 1990, the year he set the record. Detmer's BYU Cougars were 10-3 that year, including a bowl loss to Texas A&M after Detmer was awarded the Heisman. BYU's two regular-season losses were on the road against Oregon and Hawaii.

"These things are politically motivated in most cases," Leach said. "A lot of people involved in the whole thing have a lot of different agendas."

(C) 2003 Oklahoma Daily via U-WIRE.