No. 10 Texas Tech was a heavy favorite to win the Big 12 for the second straight season after reaching the College Football Playoff last year. However, over the past five weeks, the results have been decidedly mixed.
The Red Raiders rank outside the top 10 in the Big 12 on offense and defense. They are 12th in yards per play and are tied for worst in the conference with six interceptions. Their only ranked game at home came down to a two-point saved conversion against Houston.
Texas Tech is 5-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history. These are champagne problems for a program that has rarely competed for conference championships in its history.
“Do I want to be more explosive on offense? Do we want to be more efficient on offense? One hundred percent,” McGuire said. “And we have to find ways to do that. But I’m going to get the win every time.”
But after winning the Big 12 and recording the program’s first AP Top 10 ranking in history, more is expected. What’s wrong in Lubbock?
Defense diminished
Last season, Texas Tech absolutely had a successful all-star transfer class. David Bailey, Romello Height and Lee Hunter were All-America candidates along the defensive line. Tight end Terrance Carter Jr. and cornerback Brice Pollock were elite-level players.
It was a string of unique successes for Lubbock’s recruiting staff. But as they headed for the fences again, replicating the success rate was no easy task.
Through the first five weeks, Texas Tech ranks 73rd in total defense and ninth in the Big 12 in yards per play on defense. The secondary was constantly harassed due to pass defense No. 127, a miserable start. After finishing No. in sacks last season, the Red Raiders sit 69th, almost half of their mark from last season.
There’s plenty of blame to go around, but the defensive line’s disappointing moves hold up. None of superstar transfers Adam Trick, Mateen Ibirogba or Trey White recorded more than one sack. Jamond Mathis has 2.5, but they all came together against Abilene Christian. The linebackers continue to be a strength of the team, particularly returners Ben Roberts and John Curry, but transfer Austin Romaine hasn’t lived up to expectations outside of a few pick sixes against Sam Houston.
Texas Tech wanted to build its identity as a hard-nosed defensive team under coach Joey McGuire, but the unit is underperforming and putting more pressure on the offense. Duplicating last year’s No. 3 total defense was never realistic, but the collapse was notable.
Hammond’s inconsistency
Texas Tech invested a significant amount of money in the transfer portal to sign five-star quarterback Brendan Sorsby. While the staff had confidence in sophomore Will Hammond, the Hutto native was coming off a torn ACL last October and the staff wanted assurance.
Through five games, Hammond looks like a talented quarterback still adjusting after an offseason away from football. Hammond has thrown a touchdown in every game and completed 68 percent of his passes, but also has five touchdowns to five interceptions as he searches his eyes. Three of the picks came in a stretch against lowly Sam Houston.
Hammond showed several flashes over the course of two years. Against Utah last season, he came off the bench to replace the injured Behren Morton and helped lead a huge second-half run to win 34-10. This year against Houston, Hammond had the best game of his career, throwing away an early interception to throw for 257 yards and a touchdown in a victory.
His hesitant nature showed in the numbers. In four of his games, Hammond’s passes have hovered around eight yards per attempt. Against Houston, with the program’s back against the wall, Hammond delivered 11.6 yards per attempt.
The offensive line has been disappointing through the first two weeks, and the running game hasn’t been up to par despite three talented running backs. But ultimately, Hammond needs to create gravity with the passing game to give the offense a chance to find its footing.
It’s time to grow up
Texas Tech has received fair criticism for its average non-conference schedule, making its overall schedule one of the easiest among competitors. At the time, No. 22 Houston was the only ranked team on their schedule, although Oklahoma State had moved up to No. 18 and Arizona was flirting with a national ranking.
Oregon State sounded the alarm when it challenged the Red Raiders to a 35-24 game, but this victory has aged better. The Beavers are ranked 37th in the CBS 138 and have two certified superstars: quarterback Braden Atkinson and wide receiver Jesse Legree. Their two defeats concern teams ranked in the Big 12.
After a bye, Texas Tech faces Arizona State and, on the road, a hostile Cincinnati team in the coming weeks. Then it’s home games against Arizona and West Virginia before the road trip to Stillwater, which could be the toughest game of the year.
The schedule allows the Red Raiders to grow while remaining in contention for the Big 12 title game. But unless improvements are made, Texas Tech could quickly find itself on the sidelines.
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