Game week has finally arrived for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Last season fell well short of lofty expectations, but it does not matter now. This is a Texas Tech team poised to compete with any of the 15 teams in the Big 12. That competition isn’t for just wins and losses this season. It’s a battle to claim the role of the new flag bearer in the Big 12. But just like any good coach will tell their team and the media, it is about going 1-0 this week. The Texas Tech week 1 opponent in Abilene Christian offers a great opportunity for the Red Raiders to do just that. Is there one area that Joey McGuire needs to see out of his team to start with a win this season?
First Look At New Offense
One of the biggest questions Texas Tech has faced since the spring revolves around the offensive line. The Red Raiders are going to have four new starters along the offensive line, and new offensive line coach Clay McGuire has to find a way to get this unit to gel quickly. The good news is the one returning starter, Caleb Rogers, has 42 career starts and was recently named to Bruce Feldman’s annual college football Freaks list. While the offensive line isn’t expected to be stressed too much this week, it should allow all of the highly-rated skill talent to shine.
Quarterback Behren Morton is the healthiest he has been since getting his first playing time two seasons ago. The gunslinger quarterback pairs with pre-season All-American Tahj Brooks in the backfield. Offensive coordinator Zach Kittley will be getting the ball frequently and often in his pursuit to set a new career rushing record for the Red Raiders. However, it will be the debut of a new (but highly talented) wide receiver corps. The highest-ranked recruit ever signed in the history of the Red Raiders, Micah Hudson, will make his debut alongside transfer wide receiver Josh Kelly. The hope is these two will lead a passing attack (with a healthy Morton) to improve on a passing attack that ranked 101st in passing plays over 40 yards in 2023.
Defensive Depth To Get Needed Experience
McGuire noted at Big 12 media days that one of the biggest differences going into this season compared to his first was the depth of talent on the defensive line. He stated that in that first year, McGuire felt like they only had three guys that they felt comfortable playing. Now, he says he has seven or eight that he would feel comfortable rotating in. The Texas Tech week 1 matchup will serve as a great opportunity to start building experience for that depth he referenced. Defensive coordinator Tim Deruyter will have a very new-looking defense in 2024 from a personnel standpoint. Linebacker Ben Roberts, who earned freshman All-American honors last year, will be the anchor of this Red Raider defense.
But Roberts is only one of four staring defenders coming back from the 2023 season. Two of those starters are in the secondary, but the front seven is going to be breaking in a lot of new starters. The 2023 defense was very average, which compared to Texas Tech historical standards, would mean grading on a curve for a “B” team grade. They finished 53rd in points per drive allowed last season. To analyze that number even more, that includes a 57-point total allowed against Texas to close out the season last year. Overall, the Red Raiders are 5-1 when allowing fewer than 27 points and that should be the goal.
Game Plan Should Be Simple
It was not that long ago that Texas Tech had very near-home disasters against FCS football teams. The Red Raiders’ current offensive coordinator came within two points of upsetting Texas Tech back in 2020. But this program now has on-paper talent that puts it firmly in the top 30 nationally. There isn’t a specific area that the Texas Tech week 1 game plan should focus on. Abilene Christian has only won more than six games one time in the last 10 seasons (which was a 7-win season in 2022). The Red Raiders need to line up and have their superior talent shine. Basic execution of what Kittley and DeRuyter want to do will take care of business to open the season.
Texas Tech Week 1 Prediction
It has been a while since the Red Raiders have played the Wildcats. Even though ACU is located only 170 miles southeast of Lubbock, the last time these two teams squared off was in 1949 with a final score of 20-0. The Wildcats showed themselves well last year in a game against Texas A&M, going down by a score of 38-10. But it still was just a five-win team last year. Texas Tech is going to be healthy and looking to make a statement in the home opener this year. With the opening of the newly renovated south endzone, expect this one to never be in doubt from the opening kickoff as the Red Raiders make a statement in the first of seven home games in 2024.
Texas Tech 52, Abilene Christian 7
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