Editor’s note: This is one of a series of college football previews by The Dallas Express.
TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS
2022 SEASON: 8-5 (5-4 in Big 12), beat Ole Miss in TaxAct Texas Bowl
Texas Tech started 3-1 last season with overtime victories over Houston and Texas but lost four of its next five games.
After a 10-point loss to TCU, the Red Raiders recovered to win their final three regular-season games, including a win over Oklahoma, and their bowl game against Ole Miss.
Quarterback Tyler Shough missed a large portion of the season with a shoulder injury, and Donovan Smith and Behren Morton stepped up in his absence. The three guided the 12th-best passing attack in college football to help make up for a lackluster running game.
Shough returned to lead the team down the stretch and delivered a tremendous performance in the Texas Bowl.
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2023: Coaches – 24, AP- Not ranked
WHAT’S NEW
As Texas Tech looks to build on the momentum of last season’s finish, the Red Raiders enter the season ranked in the Preseason USA Today AFCA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll for the first time since the 2008-2009 season.
The Red Raiders return many starters on both sides of the ball and were picked to finish fourth in the conference — behind Texas, Kansas State, and Oklahoma — at Big 12 Media Days last month. That is precisely where the team finished last season, and it would tie for the program’s best finish in conference play since 2009.
Shough returns at quarterback alongside Brooks, several receivers, and a veteran offensive line. The defense loses leading tackler Krishon Merriweather and star pass-rusher Tyree Wilson, among others but brings back five experienced players in the secondary, along with Jaylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford Jr. on the defensive line.
Defensive lineman Steve Linton and linebacker/safety CJ Baskerville also join the defense as transfers.
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2023 SCHEDULE
Sep 2 (Sat) 6:30 p.m. CT at Wyoming
Sep 9 (Sat) 6 p.m. CT vs Oregon
Sep 16 (Sat) 6 p.m. CT vs Tarleton State
Sep 23 (Sat) TBA at West Virginia
Sep 30 (Sat) TBA vs Houston
Oct 7 (Sat) TBA at Baylor
Oct 14 (Sat) TBA vs Kansas State
Oct 21 (Sat) TBA at BYU
Nov 2 (Thu) 6 p.m. vs TCU
Nov 11 (Sat) TBA at Kansas
Nov 18 (Sat) TBA vs UCF
Nov 24 (Fri) 6:30 p.m. CT at Texas
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PLAYER TO WATCH
RB Tahj Brooks
Brooks returns to give the Red Raiders a proven running back after leading the team with 691 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He may be in line for a heavier workload in 2023, as backfield mate SaRodorick Thompson has graduated, giving Brooks more chances to make an impact.
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FRESHMAN TO WATCH
DB Brenden Jordan
Jordan is Texas Tech’s highest-rated recruit this cycle, according to 247 Sports. While he is listed as a safety, and there are veteran players all over the secondary, Jordan could carve out a rotational role as a hybrid player in the “STAR” role.
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BREAKOUT CANDIDATE
TE Baylor Cupp
Cupp was highly recruited out of high school and chose to attend Texas A&M before transferring to Texas Tech. His reputation as a high-end prospect has yet to show on the college field, but a second year as the starting tight end in the Texas Tech system may allow him to finally live up to his potential.
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WHY CAN THEY CONTEND?
Veteran leadership and experience are critically important in college sports, and Texas Tech has it in droves. Seventeen starters return from last year’s eight-win team, and transfer upperclassmen have filled the remaining holes. The Red Raiders’ toughest non-conference test is the second game against Oregon, and they begin conference play against the projected lower portion of the conference standings. The second half of the conference slate will show how good this team really is, and wins over the top-tier Big 12 teams would make for a great season.
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OBSTACLES
Texas Tech has had a hard time avoiding injuries, especially with Shough. The quarterback has not played a complete season since transferring from Oregon. The current roster depth at the position is not at the same level to sustain the same level of play without him. The Red Raiders also need more out of their running game, have to avoid overlooking certain teams on their schedule, and have to show up in the big games.
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2023 PREDICTION
Record: 8-4.
Bowl: AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
Texas Tech has an opportunity to have one of its better seasons in recent years, The program seems to be on the come up, and there is plenty of talent to build on from last season. There will be some games where they will slip when they should win, and there may be some games they win when they should lose, but the experience on the team should be enough to carry it to a mostly successful season.
