What is the very first troubleshooting tip that is applicable to every electronic device in our everyday lives? Unplugging it and plugging it back in. Both humans and electronics share a necessity for a good reset from time to time. Those resets are very simple and are critical at the same time. Football teams are no different. Luckily for head coach Joey McGuire, the Red Raiders are getting to a pivotal point in their season. A Texas Tech week three showdown with FCS Tarleton State should be the exact thing needed to restart the season in Lubbock.
Refreshing Recruiting News
For a team and fan base looking for a quick jolt of optimism and enthusiasm, it came on the recruiting trail Monday night. Five-star recruit Micah Hudson announced that he had verbally committed to Texas Tech. Assuming Hudson signs his letter of intent in December, he will be the first-ever five-star recruit to sign with Texas Tech since the creation of modern recruiting rankings. There had been optimism since the summertime that Hudson would commit to the Red Raiders. But with him “officially” committing, it is a reminder that the building that McGuire and his staff are doing continues to trend in the right direction.
When Will QB2 Make An Appearance?
However, Hudson’s news doesn’t erase the winless start for the Red Raiders this season. One of the biggest topics of why this team has yet to win in 2023 is the quarterback position. In two games, starting quarterback Tyler Shough has thrown for 620 yards with a completion percentage of 64.7%. He has also run for 137 yards on 38 attempts. Shough has a combined seven touchdowns as well. When Shough has had a clean pocket to operate in, he has looked crisp and decisive.
However, the offensive line (which has shown signs of improvement from last year), still is having problems providing consistent pockets. Texas Tech ranks 117th nationally in sacks allowed early in the season. It is noteworthy that they have played two teams with outstanding defensive fronts. But nonetheless, when Shough is operating under pressure, he has made mistakes. He had a total of four turnovers against Oregon last week and had thrown one interception in the opening week loss to Wyoming. Shough is not in any danger of losing the QB1 position, but the clamoring for Behren Morton to see the field has grown with the rough start. With a Texas Tech week three opponent that should provide opportunities for the backups to see playing time, it will be interesting to see just when Morton gets on the field and how he plays.
Don’t Think; Just Play
This team needs to play loose and simply let their overwhelming talent control the game. Tarleton State has played very well offensively in its first two games of the season, scoring 52 points in each game. But the Texans will not present the physical challenge on the offensive line to Tim DeRuyter’s defense. The maligned offensive line should give whoever is playing quarterback plenty of time to operate. It also would be a great game to see more out of a talented running back core that offensive coordinator Zach Kittley has not utilized much of so far this season. This is the perfect opportunity for the team and fan base to take a deep breath and relax. Then Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers famously told fans to R-E-L-A-X after a slow start in 2014 (which culminated in an NFC Championship game appearance). Just getting that winning feeling back amongst the team will do wonders to remind them of the ceiling that this team still has.
Texas Tech Week Three Prediction
This is the starting stretch of four very winnable games for the Red Raiders. The schedule has a nice “runaway” to build some momentum that leads into a home showdown with the defending Big 12 champions. Game one of four should be one with very little doubt. Texas Tech is a program desperate for that first win after dropping the first two in gut-wrenching fashion. In front of another sellout crowd in Lubbock, the Red Raiders cruise to their first victory of the season.
Texas Tech 56, Tarleton State 10
