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The City of Lubbock showed up and showed out last week against BYU. The team dominated on the field, but it was the ABC crew, ESPN’s College Gameday, DCTF’s Mike Craven, YouTube analysts, TikTok superstars and more that were spreading the gospel of Texas Tech Football to millions and millions around the nation. Truly, what a week. 

Now, the Red Raiders are trying to avoid a massive letdown. 

I might be worried about it, but Texas Tech puts out a ‘W cam’ and Jacob Rodriguez’s immediate reaction to beating a Top 10 BYU was simply, “1-0”. That’s all that game was to the leadership on the team. Forget the noise. Forget gameday. Appreciate Raiderville, but forget that too. Between the lines, Texas Tech simply went 1-0 last week. Just like it was any other Saturday. 

The matchup between UCF and Texas Tech is not in the Knights favor in any way. The Red Raiders are favored by 24.5 and I don’t think it will be anywhere near that close. Texas Tech’s defense is allowing 13 points per game in Big 12 play and 12.6 including the non-con. This defense has only allowed 10 points in 10 third quarters. Zero points in Lubbock in the third quarter across six home games so far. The Red Raiders defense has also pitched a shutout in the first quarter in Lubbock. Only Kansas has scored in the second quarter in Lubbock. 

Texas Tech is winning every quarter cumulatively on their way to out-scoring teams 421-126. 

If UCF is at full health they have a decent one-two punch at running back and a really underrated pass rush led by Malachi Lawrence who has six sacks in conference play, trailing only the Big 12 leader David Bailey. The problem is, the running back room is struggling with health and Lawrence is listed as questionable. 

Offensively they’ve played numerous QBs, but Tayven Jackson is the guy when healthy. Still, the Frost offense has only managed 21 points per game against Big 12 defenses and stalled out at just a field goal against Baylor last time out. 

I still believe in UCF long term in the Big 12 as a team that can sit middle to good and punch up for the Big 12 title every few years. Unfortunately for them this weekend, they just don’t have the horses. Texas Tech’s defense has the leadership with Shiel Wood, Rodriguez, and Bailey to not fold under the pressure of the season. 

Texas Tech’s offense on the other hand was challenged by the now former Playoff Committee chair Mack Rhodes when asked what Texas Tech could do to get into the top five. His response was that the inability to consistently finish red zone drives with touchdowns was the only thing holding the Red Raiders back. That, and the health of Behren Morton. 

Field goals would beat UCF, but if style points matter then the Red Raiders path to style would certainly include scoring touchdowns from inside the 20. Cleaning up pre snap penalties and catching the ball would go a long way to fixing the issues, but I’d also love to see the power running game with Cam Dickey be highlighted inside the ten. Pistol formations to get him down hill, extra blockers, or even just the wildcat all seem like positive options. 

On this week’s coaches show with Joey McGuire he even hinted that Jacob Rodriguez could get some snaps at quarterback to pad his Heisman highlight reel.

I’ll take the Red Raiders to win and cover. Let’s go big at 42-0 with Texas Tech cleaning up the red zone issues and locking in a special teams or defensive touchdown.

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Traveling in for the game? Visit Lubbock has you covered for Things to Do, Can’t Miss Experiences and Where to Stay