The Texas Tech Red Raiders haven’t lost a non-conference game since 2009. That streak even includes four bowl victories. Certainly this program hasn’t hit the same low points as their Big 12 conference counterparts, Iowa State and Kansas, but what in the world is keeping this team from pulling out more victories? A 16-0 out of conference record is nothing special when compared to just 13 victories over Big 12 teams and a 3-13 record against ranked teams during the same stretch.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury enters his second year in charge of his alma mater, and the optimism is obvious in Lubbock, TX. With the recent success of Baylor, a mantra exists that if, “the Bears can do it, why not us?” If the designated runt of the conference everyone kicked around can jump into the national spotlight, shouldn’t any team in the conference be able to follow suit? Well, of course not, however, some teams have a legit foundation to build similar success.
The Red Raiders are one of those programs. Texas Tech has stayed out of the cellar in the Big 12, but have also remained stagnant in the middle of the pack, capable of eight or nine wins and nothing more. Would the Red Raiders have built a home in the top-10 last season if they managed to minimize turnovers in their eight-point loss to Oklahoma? Yes, the Sooners are a perennial powerhouse, the bully at recess. But Texas Tech struggles against not only ranked teams, but the less than stellar teams in the Big 12 too.
Offensively, the Red Raiders haven’t fell out of the top 15 nationally in total offense during the past four years, and there is no reason to expect a drop in production this season. In the same period they have also remained in the top 25 nationally in scoring offense. Offense hasn’t been the problem, and won’t be the problem, so then, where are the shortcomings?
Tech’s defense has struggled to create turnovers. So much so, that they’ve been the worst team in the conference the past two seasons in turnovers gained. The inconsistencies on the defense don’t fall on one man. Heck, there have been four different coordinators trying to solve the puzzle since 2010. 2014 will be the first time since Ruffin McNeill that Texas Tech has had a coach return for a second year to command the defense.
Defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt saw two completely different defenses in his first season. After holding their first four out of five opponents to 16 points or fewer a game, his squad allowed over 35 points six times. To Wallerstedt’s credit, even with horrible numbers in most of their final eight games, he still commanded a defense that gave up the fewest average points per game since McNeill.
The hopes are high moving forward, but with just a few starters returning from a bad defense, will we see another great offense but a poor defense keeping TTU average? Continuity with coach Wallerstedt will play a huge role in 2014, and the effort to get bigger on the defensive line with four junior college transfers is a great step. Rika Levi has the coaching staff buzzing, the only question is how quickly will he adjust and become a major factor? Tech will need answers quickly to improve on a unit that gave up over 200 yards on the ground per game last year.
Perhaps an an even greater question relates to the young secondary. How will these players hold up during the meat of the Big 12 schedule? Passing defense was a strength for the most part last season, but the Big 12 is known for playing through the air, which means more wear and tear on the defensive backfield. There were struggles against SMU, Oklahoma and Baylor, but they only allowed over 250 passing yards four times.
Don’t expect the Red Raiders to win more than nine games this season, but this program is on the right track. We just need to see some more consistency.
*Both Section Photo and Featured Photo (above) credit to Stephen Spillman, Associated Press
