Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is already fighting an uphill battle in 2025. Five of his conference members lost games either to P4 opponents or suffered a significant upset. The narrative is already starting to form that the Big 12 will, yet again, be only a one-bid league in the playoff. The opportunity is prime for the Red Raiders to climb into that spot. So far, Joey McGuire’s new-look Red Raiders have started strong against weak opponents. Should there be any reason to expect more of a challenge in this Texas Tech week three showdown against Oregon State?
What Adjustments Are Coming?
Offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich has yet to make a play call this season with the game in balance. Defensive coordinator Shiel Wood has watched his unit bully opposing offenses. The Red Raiders have won their first two games by a combined score of 129-21. Trying to glean any insights from blowout wins against FCS Arkansas Pine-Bluff and lowly MAC opponent Kent State wouldn’t be the best data set to make assessments on. But they have a Pac-12 opponent coming to Lubbock this week. Oregon State head coach Trent Bray has a starting quarterback in Maalik Murphy who has plenty of experience playing at the P4 level. Oregon State’s offense has been decent in two games, averaging 21 points per game against a quality Mountain West opponent and a former Pac-12 member.
Turnovers will be a big factor in this Texas Tech week three matchup. The Red Raiders currently have the 25th-best turnover ratio at +2. Meanwhile, Oregon State is ranked 118th in the same statistic with a turnover ratio of -3. Murphy has already thrown three interceptions in just two games. The four-wheel drive power of Skyler Gill-Howard, Lee Hunter, Romello Height, and David Bailey has the ability to pressure the quarterback without additional help. If they heat up the quarterback all game, expect the defense to create plenty of turnover opportunities in this one
Don’t Play Down To Record
When this newly imported offensive line gives Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton time to make multiple reads down the field, Morton demonstrates a unique characteristic. Morton has the same bounce to his feet as he scans the field that Red Raider legend Graham Harrell displayed when he was slinging the football all through the West Texas sky. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that Morton might have picked that up watching Harrell, as Morton grew up in Lubbock watching his current team. Morton has been sharp through two weeks, throwing for 459 yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions in essentially 3.5 quarters of football through two games.
The Beavers’ defense doesn’t have any game-wrecking players. This Red Raider offense should continue to hum at a fever pitch. But this is a prime look-ahead opportunity if this team isn’t careful. So far, Texas Tech has shed old perceptions of themselves playing down to lesser competition. The uniform of the opponent shows a Pac-12 logo. But this opponent is closer now to its counterparts in the Mountain West Conference rather than what the Pac-12 was just three years ago. Morton and the other senior leaders on this team will need to ensure focus is maintained on this week’s opponent
Texas Tech Week Three Prediction
On Monday, Fox officially announced that the Texas Tech vs. Utah game in Salt Lake City will be the host of their Big Noon Kickoff pregame show. Everything is setting up for it to be a top 20 showdown. It will be a showdown between two of the three strongest teams from the early part of the season for the Big 12. While Oregon State is the toughest test so far in the season, the overpowering front of the defensive line will halt any major Beaver scoring threats. The offense will continue to thrive against a unit that has surrendered at least 34 in its two games this season. The last tune-up before Utah will come without drama as the Red Raiders move to 3-0.
Texas Tech 45, Oregon State 14
Main Image: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
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