Texas Tech’s path to the College Football Playoff trophy may be unexpected, but they are still a threat. Often seen as a secondary program in their home state, the Red Raiders enter the playoffs with momentum and confidence. Will that be enough to advance through the tournament?
Texas Tech Looks To Cap Dominant Season With National Title
Through their days in the Southwest Conference, national attention rarely reached Lubbock. Now, not only has that changed, but Texas Tech is recognized for building a strong program on the field, in the locker room, and on the recruiting trail. Without the University of Texas’s flair, TTU has played explosive football on both sides, leading to its first outright conference title since the 1955 Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
To understand the Raiders, examine head coach Joey McGuire’s journey. From 2017 to 2021, he served as a Baylor assistant, but he had built his reputation as a state-title-winning high school head coach in Texas. McGuire’s extensive time leading high school teams fostered communication with younger players that few coaches can match.
Offensively, TTU runs its version of the “Go-Go” offense, invented by former Sacramento State head coach and current Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion. Centered around unbalanced formations, Tech often lines up multiple receivers to one side or sets backs in motion.
This usually forces defenses to overcommit, leaving the backside exposed for one-on-one matchups. In PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, Texas Tech ranked 32nd in FBS. Their 480.3 yards per game ranked fifth nationally. The senior quarterback, while not the most mobile, is nimble enough for the system.
Texas Tech’s defense is its strength. Defensive coordinator Shiel Wood, who dismisses stats, leads the fifth-stingiest group, allowing just 254.4 yards per game. Instead of using fast three-techniques, TTU rotates 300-pounders to collapse the pocket. Still, edge rusher David Bailey demands attention. Despite 43 tackles, Bailey led the Big 12 with 13.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss, using his length and first-step burst to disrupt quarterbacks.
The heart of the defense is linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. Besides earning many awards, his play sets him apart. As a former quarterback, Rodriguez reads run gaps well and quickly shoots through to make stops. His seven forced fumbles show he finishes tackles with authority.
TTU’s postseason path is challenging, with Oregon, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Alabama looming. Their defense matches up well with each other. For instance, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is a pure dropback passer, making the Raiders’ defense more dangerous. Indiana prefers running, making Rodriguez a key player.
Oklahoma’s John Mateer is still inconsistent after hand surgery; his five-game touchdown-to-interception ratio is 5:4. Alabama receiver Ryan Williams has just one touchdown since October 4.
Texas Tech can advance in its bracket, but each team presents a challenge. After a dominant season leading into the conference championship, TTU could be the downfall for more than one playoff contender.
