The 2021 season for Texas Tech must be viewed as a success. As a matter of fact, Red Raider fans had plenty to be thankful for this season. Specifically on-the-field, there were six opportunities to celebrate. Some of the wins mattered than others. So what Texas Tech wins mattered more than others?
6. Stephen F. Austin
When it comes to Texas Tech wins, this game could have flipped the other way very easily. Texas Tech came off the 2020 season having had a close call against FCS Houston Baptist, and the expectation was they would not be caught sleeping against another FCS opponent. Instead, Houston Baptist was on the Texas Tech eight-yard line with 90 seconds left down six points and the Red Raiders held on by the slimmest of margins. This was as close to feeling like a loss in a winning effort a team and fanbase can experience.
5. FIU
There wasn’t anything special about this performance. Texas Tech dominated FIU from the opening kickoff and never let off the gas pedal. It was what Texas Tech fans expected to happen the prior week against SFA. But nonetheless, there was a feeling of “good, this team got past its clunker.” This win also wrapped up an undefeated non-conference play, which was crucial to getting to bowl eligibility this year.
4. Kansas
With hindsight, it turns out Kansas was not a trainwreck that the Big 12 has been accustomed to seeing in recent years. Kansas was still a bad team, but had a pulse in many games, and appears they will be trending upwards next season. So for Texas Tech to leave no doubt in a 41-14 win on the road was supposed to be a sign of growth and maturity of this team. It was also the week where quarterback Donovan Smith finally got the opportunity to pass the ball and started his transition to take over the starting job for the rest of the season. It also brought the Red Raiders record to 5-2 at that point.
3. West Virginia
Texas Tech traveled to Morgantown after an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Texas Longhorns. It was going to be a tough place to bounce back, especially with how poorly the defense had looked one week prior. But thanks to a gritty and physical effort, Texas Tech pushed its winning streak against West Virginia to three. Red Raider fans also got to see Jonathan Garibay kick a game-winning field goal for the first time this season. But it would not be the last.
2. Houston
This victory aged the best out of them all this season. It was imperative for Texas Tech to get off to a good start to the 2021 season. The first half of football was about as bad of a start as anyone could have envisioned. But it was quite the second-half turnaround against the eventual AAC runner-ups. A 38-21 win kicked off this season with a bang. This very well might have been the best team Texas Tech beat this season. However, all 2021 Texas Tech wins come just short of the top spot.
The Best Of The Texas Tech Wins: Iowa State
SIXTY FREAKING TWO YARDS.
The Red Raiders were at a true fork in the road. Then interim head coach Sonny Cumbie brought the team back from Norman after suffering another lopsided loss. But the program was abuzz with the announcement of the hire of Joey McGuire. Iowa State came to Lubbock having beaten the Red Raiders the previous five seasons. But thanks to a great defensive effort to limit Breece Hall, it gave Texas Tech an opportunity to win it late in the game.
The last drive of the game stalled out close to mid-field. Going into the game Garibay’s career-long was 47 yards. So seeing him trot on the field to attempt a 62-yard field goal did not inspire the greatest amount of confidence. But Garibay launched that football into the dark west Texas night and through the uprights as fans rushed the field to celebrate a 41-38 victory. The best of the Texas Tech wins would ultimately be the last of the 2021 season.
