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The Texas Tech Red Raiders travel to Utah to take on one of the newest members of the Big 12 Conference, the BYU Cougars. Texas Tech is 3-4 on the season overall and 2-2 in conference play. The host Cougars are 4-2 on the season and 1-2 in the inaugural season in the conference. The opening kick is slated for 7:00 PM EST on Saturday night.
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Texas Tech fell to 3-4 following Saturday's 38-21 home loss at the hands of Kansas State. The Red Raiders trailed just 17-14 at halftime but were outscored 21-7 in the second half in taking their second Big 12 loss in four games.
I thought we did some good things and not-so-good things. I mean just looking at the stat sheet, you’re not going to win a lot of games giving up 272 yards rushing, so we didn’t play good enough run defense. And we all know you’re not going to win many games whenever you turn the ball over three times; I believe they scored 14 points off those three turnovers. They did something tonight that we knew at some point we’d run into — they run-blitzed us. They did a good job stopping the run at different times to make us check into pass plays. We had some really good, at different times, where we hit some of our receivers, but there were other times with incom pletions and turning the ball over. Just one of those really tough games. After the 21-17 (lead) nothing really went right. So we’ll get ready to get back to work tomorrow and get ready for really tough BYU.” Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said after the game.
The game came at a cost for the Red Raiders as starting quarterback Behren Morton had to leave the game after the first half with a shoulder injury. Morton got the start after Tyler Shough was lost for the season due to a broken leg. Morton finished 14-of-21 for 121 yards before giving way to freshman quarterback Jake Strong. After taking over in the second half, Strong went 16-of-28 for 173 yards and a touchdown but threw three interceptions in his debut. Wide receiver Coy Eakin led the Red Raiders with five catches for 102 yards while running back Tahj Brooks had 98 yards rushing on 17 carries with a touchdown. In all, the Red Raiders had 480 yards of total offense and 24 first downs but were done in by the three turnovers.
Defensively, Texas Tech allowed 435 yards of total offense including a whopping 272 yards rushing to the Wildcats. The Red Raiders' defense had six tackles for loss including two sacks. They did not force any turnovers in the game.
Texas Tech looks to get back in the win column and back to .500 with a win at Brigham Young on Saturday night. The Red Raiders come in with the 45th-ranked total offense in the nation. They are 44th running the football and 57th through the air. The latter number could be hindered with freshman QB Strong likely making his first-ever collegiate start this week. The Red Raiders 75th in the nation in red zone offense and just 122nd in time of possession, typically playing at a fast pace. Defensively, Texas Tech is ranked 62nd in total defense. The Red Raiders are 74th against the run and 62nd against the pass. They have struggled to get off the field on third down, ranking just 122nd in the country in third down defense. Texas Tech is also 73rd in sacks. In the red zone defensively, Texas Tech is ranked just 111th in the nation.
Texas Tech has has difficulties protecting the football this season, a fact that will likely continue if Strong makes the start. They are 117th in the country in turnover differential. Texas Tech is a respectable 45th in penalties per game this season.
Injury Report: TE M. Tharp (undisclosed), and QB B. Morton (shoulder) are questionable. TE C. Robinson (ankle), OL C. Spencer (foot), LB J. Rodriguez (foot), DL B. Burris (Knee) are out.
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Free Daily NCAA Lock Pick, Wednesday October 18th: New Mexico State vs UTEP 9:00pmET CLICK TO SEE PICK NOW