2020 Texas Tech Offensive Preview

By Russell Wilburn

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Texas Tech’s offense remained among the top units nationally in its first year under offensive coordinator David Yost. The Red Raiders ranked No. 11 nationally at 474.3 yards per game and there’s reasons to believe it could get even better in 2020. 

It all starts with quarterback Alan Bowman, who returns after missing 2019 with an upper body injury. The Grapevine product threw for 2,638 yards and 17 touchdowns during a breakout freshman year. 

He’ll have a wide open cupboard to play with – the receiver rotation is stacked with talent. Only one rotation player is gone from last season, and the Red Raiders add multiple freshmen with starting potential to a room already featuring five players with 20 catches a season ago. However, the receiver room is still looking for an alpha – the coaching staff is hopeful T.J. Vasher can finally take that step. 

“There’s going to be a lot of competition,” Yost said. “That makes us better, to compete for playing time, compete for getting on the bus, and being someone we get the ball to. In the big picture, I think it’s going to be really good for us.” 

The two spots Texas Tech needs to build quickly are obvious: offensive tackle and running back. SaRodorick Thompson excelled during a 765-yard, 12-touchdown freshman campaign, but every other proven rusher is gone. Eighty-one starts at tackle are gone. Getting those units up to speed will make or break the offense. However, offensive guard Jack Anderson returns from injury to team up with Weston Wright and Dawson Deaton to form perhaps the top interior line unit in the state. There will be plenty of leadership. 

Texas Tech had success in the first year of the Yost era, but still has work to do. With key contributors coming back around the offense and new depth coming in, the Red Raiders have high expectations for 2020. 

“I think we were able to get the basics of who we are and what we are last year as far as our tempo and how we play,” Yost said. “There's usually a big jump between Year 1 and Year 2 because it's no longer the coach's offense. It's now their offense.”

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