About the Texas Tech Red Raiders
A porous defense was Tech’s undoing last season, as the Red Raiders were ranked among the bottom eight teams nationally in points allowed (41.3 ppg), rush defense (259.5) and total defense. Even worse, the Red Raiders didn’t help themselves as turnovers and penalties continually troubled them in a 4-8 season that was their lowest single-season win total since 1983. But hope for the future is present after a strong late finish by quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Coach: Kliff Kingsbury, 12-13 in two seasons at Tech and overall. Returning leaders: QB Davis Webb (2,539 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 13 interceptions); TB DeAndre Washington (1,103 rushing yards, two TDs); WR Jakeem Grant (67 receptions, 938 yards, seven TDs); DE Pete Robertson (81 tackles, 12 sacks, three pass deflections). KEY QUESTIONS
1 Who will emerge as the starting quarterback? Kingsbury will face a tough choice in deciding on his starting quarterback. Webb threw for 24 touchdowns and was the Holiday Bowl MVP in 2013. But the Red Raiders seemed energized when Mahomes took over late last season, throwing 14 touchdown passes in the final three games as Tech averaged 40.3 points per game in that stretch.
2 Can David Gibbs turn around the defense? The Red Raiders were historically bad last season, allowing 82 points in one game and at least 40 points in five other games. With eight starters back and the arrival of heralded transfer Mike Mitchell from Ohio State, Tech’s new defensive coordinator, who comes to Lubbock from the University of Houston, will have some experience to work with. Whether those players can improve remains to be seen.
3 Can Kingsbury afford another struggling season? After winning the first seven games of his coaching career, Kingsbury has gone 5-13 since, includ- ing 12 losses in his last 15 conference games. Another losing season might make his job security shaky, but a contract extension he received last August would guarantee him $12.7 million if he’s fired after this season. KEY GAMES
1 At Arkansas, Sept. 19. The Red Raiders’ leaky defense was first shown against the Razorbacks, who mashed them for 438 rushing yards en route to a demoralizing 49-28 victory in Lubbock. Tech needs to show some defensive improvement, and doing it here would be a strong signal that last season’s struggles are behind it.
2 TCU, Sept. 26. Memories of last season’s 82-27 drubbing in Fort Worth are fresh for those inside the Red Raider program. But in this conference opening game, the Red Raiders at least have history on their side, as the Horned Frogs haven’t won in Lubbock since 1993. OUTLOOK With two proven quarterbacks and much experience around them, the Red Raiders won’t have many questions on offense. But this team’s ultimate success will be determined by how much defensive improvement can be generated by Gibbs. They have to play better in the trenches and smarter after turnovers and penalties killed them last season. Improvement there could boost them into the Big 12’s middle of the pack. PREDICTED FINISH 5-7, 3-6 (8th place in Big 12).