It is homecoming week for the Red Raiders. New steam has come in on this program as the clear-cut best team in the Big 12, including Last Words’ thoughts on all the Big 12 members. They are going to be debuting terrific looking uniforms that pay homage to 100 years of the Texas Tech program. All things are pointing in the direction for a happy homecoming. But here comes Lance Leipold’s team with a dynamic playmaker at quarterback looking to ruin the parade. For this Texas Tech week seven showdown with Kansas to go the way of the home team, the execution in the red zone must be better.
Texas Tech Week Seven: Execute In Jayhawks’ Redzone
Lean on Defense
The strongest unit on this Red Raider team is this unrelenting defense. Through five games this season, Shiel Wood’s defense has been suffocating opposing offenses. They only allowed a combined 14 points in the first three quarters of their five games. Opponents have essentially only been able to score when the starters have been pulled. David Bailey, a likely first-rounder in the 2026 draft, is coming off a monster game against Houston. He earned PFF’s award for both Pass Rusher and Defensive Player of the week for his performance. Bailey had 11 pressures, two sacks, and three quarterback hits against the Coogs. He currently leads all FBS in pressures (31).
Bailey, and much of this outstanding linebacker corps, are able to operate in plenty of one-on-one matchups because of the amount of attention Romello Height, Lee Hunter, and Skyler Gill-Howard are forced to receive. The Red Raiders have not had to blitz frequently because they are able to generate substantial disruption in a passing game with this talented front four.
Good, But Wanting More From Offense
While the defense has been historic, the offense has had plenty of bright spots as well. They are 14th nationally in third-down conversion percentage, number one in passing offense, 30th in rushing offense, and second in scoring. And yet, the coaching staff would tell you this offense (specifically in conference play) has left plenty of meat on the bone. Against Houston, Texas Tech made it into Houston’s red zone eight times and scored only three touchdowns. That doesn’t include a drive that stalled on their 26 that resulted in a missed field goal.
Redzone Sevens, Not Threes
The Texas Tech week seven game plan is simple: finish drives. Quarterback Behren Morton, while being one of the most efficient quarterbacks in college football this season, is still viewed collectively as more of a game-manager. His wide receivers were not at their best last week. But the ugly Utah performance, when he was healthy, still rings very loudly for much of the fan base. Morton has also had some issues protecting himself. Quarterback Jalon Daniels, even with a quiet game last week against UCF, has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 8:1 this season. This will be the most experienced play making quarterback the Red Raiders have faced, so this offense needs to find the endzone instead of settling for field goals. Keeping that pressure on the opposing offense will only help out this Texas Tech pass rush.
Texas Tech Week Seven Prediction
The Red Raiders are hitting the defining stretch of their season. After this game, they travel to Arizona State, return home against Oklahoma State, and then travel to the House of Horrors that is Kansas State. But don’t think this coaching staff is looking ahead. Head coach Joey McGuire stated that this is the biggest game he has ever coached in his Texas Tech tenure. He highlighted how easily this Kansas team could be 6-0.
This will not be the week this team just shows up with a lack of energy or focus. The crowd will be juiced up for a night game at The Jones. Energy will not be lacking from the crowd, nor will focus be lacking for the players. The Red Raiders will continue to have their way against this Jayhawk offense. As good as this defense has been, Daniels and this offense will make a few plays throughout the game to keep this within arm’s reach for one half. But the Red Raiders treat the crowd to a fun game and remain undefeated.
Texas Tech 49, Kansas 21
Main Image: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
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