Texas Tech’s second year under head coach Joey McGuire looked quite a bit like his first year, as the Red Raiders went to a bowl game for the second straight year.
The Red Raiders took a slight step back with their final record, as they went 7-6 a year ago after going 8-5 in McGuire’s debut. But, the Red Raiders finished the season with a bowl victory for the second straight season, as they defeated Cal, 34-14, in the Independence Bowl.
But McGuire and the Red Raiders want more than a bowl game. They want to contend for the Big 12 title. In his third year, he has a team that some believe has the talent to rise up and claim a spot in the Big 12 Championship game.
Here’s what you should expect going in.
TEXAS TECH OFFENSE: BROOKS AND MORE
The Red Raiders’ offense has to start with running back Tahj Brooks, who opted not to leave early for the NFL and returned to Texas Tech for another season. He was an All-Big 12 performer last season, as he rushed for more than 1,500 yards. He is one of the best returning backs in the country.
He surrounded by an array of talent. Quarterback Behren Morton hopes to fulfill his promise of a year ago. At wide receiver there is holdover talent like Coy Eakin and new talent like five-star recruit Micah Hudson and former Washington State wide receiver Josh Kelly. Florida transfer Caleb Douglas, who missed much of last season with an injury, is a wild card.
The gamble is up front, where McGuire and his staff took in a raft of transfers to try and bolster the offensive line and join returning center Caleb Rogers. How they gel together may determine just how good the Red Raiders can be offensively.
Related: Texas Tech Makes GM James Blanchard One of the Highest-Paid in CFB
TEXAS TECH DEFENSE: TIME TO IMPROVE
The Red Raiders were an average unit a season ago. Texas Tech was ranked No. 61 in scoring defense. But the unit needs to take a jump in 2024 if the Red Raiders want to truly contend.
The unit lacks continuity. Linebacker Ben Roberts, cornerback Bralyn Lux, and safety C.J. Baskerville are the only returning starters from a year ago.
Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is back from injury and could give Texas Tech a real boost. The Red Raiders acquired De’Braylon Carroll in the transfer portal and need the experienced defensive tackle to stuff the run.
It will be up to transfers and young players who need developing to take this unit to a higher level and help turn around last year’s minus-6 turnover margin.
TEXAS TECH SPECIAL TEAMS: TURNOVER AT PUNTER
Austin McNamara, one of the best punters in program history, is gone. Jack Burgess likely gets the first shot to replace a punter who averaged 47.2 yards per boot last year. Gino Garcia is the incumbent placekicker, and Drae McCrae returns after he averaged nearly 28 yards per kickoff return.
PREDICTION: TEXAS TECH GOES BOWLING AGAIN, BUT …
Texas Tech is one of several teams that has the talent to reach the Big 12 Championship Game. There is a distinct possibility the Red Raiders could be 5-0 going into October, as their most difficult game might be their road trip to Washington State. Three difficult league games loom with Arizona, Iowa State, and Oklahoma State, with the latter two on the road. West Virginia could be testy at the end of the season. Texas Tech could finish as high as 9-3, but with all of the projected losses coming in league play, it might keep them from the title game.
Related: Predicting Every Game of the 2024 Big 12 Football Season
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
