Initial Break-Down of Texas Tech’s 2014 Schedule

Nov 16, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot Raider Red carries a flag after a touchdown against the Baylor Bears at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The season is still nearly four months away, but let’s go ahead and take a close look at Texas Tech football’s 2014 schedule and make some early predictions.

Week 1: Texas Tech vs. Central Arkansas (Lubbock, Texas)

Saturday, Aug. 30

Texas Tech has taken steps recently to beef up their non-conference schedules for coming years, but games against FCS teams like Central Arkansas haven’t completely gone away. For third time in four years Tech will open the season at home with an automatic win against a “little sister of the poor.” These games are frustrating because there’s nothing substantial to be gained with a victory and everything to lose with an embarrassing loss – just ask Kansas State. Not to mention, Central Arkansas gets a nice fat check out of the deal.

Prediction: WIN.

Week 2: Texas Tech at UTEP (El Paso, Texas)

Saturday, Sept. 6

The Miners haven’t had a winning season since 2005 and there’s little hope for 2014. While they do represent a slight step up in competition from Central Arkansas, the Red Raiders should easily secure their first road win of the year and start 2-0.

Prediction: WIN.

 Week 3: Texas Tech vs. Arkansas (Lubbock, Texas)

Saturday, Sept. 13

Arkansas hasn’t had a very good run for a couple years now, but they still have the resources and the talent to be dangerous. Bret Bielema’s teams like to line up in that power I formation and run it right down the middle, precisely the kind of offense Tech’s defense isn’t built to stop. If Rika Levi and his fellow JUCO d-linemen don’t pan out early, this one could be rough. But, based on what we saw this spring, Davis Webb and Co. will be virtually unstoppable with that up-tempo offense Bret hates so much.

Prediction: WIN.

Week 4: BYE

Week 5: Texas Tech at Oklahoma State (Stillwater, Okla.)

Thursday, Sept. 25

The Cowboys have beaten Tech by an average of 28 points every year for the last five years. But the margin of victory, as wide as 60 for the Pokes at one point, is gradually decreasing and the playing field is leveling. Tech should be back on top of this rivalry very soon, but it won’t happen this year on a chilly Thursday night in Stillwater.

Prediction: LOSS

Week 6: Texas Tech at Kansas State (Manhattan, Kansas)

Saturday, Oct. 4

Kansas State is another team Tech just can’t seem to beat these days. It’s hard to beat a team that’s coached so well, doesn’t make any mistakes and capitalizes on yours. Tech has turned the ball over at least three times in each of the last three losses to the Wildcats and didn’t have any takeaways. We’ll see what happens this year, but a major trend would have to be reversed.

Prediction: LOSS

Week 7: Texas Tech vs West Virginia (Lubbock, Texas)

Saturday, Oct. 11

Everyone remembers what happened the last time West Virginia visited Lubbock. In their first season as a Big 12 team, the Mountaineer’s (most easterly team) made the long trip to Lubbock (most westerly team) and then the even longer trip back home after a 49-14 spanking. Last year, in Morgantown, the ‘Eers made it interesting until the last few minutes, but ultimately lost 37-27. More of the same this year as West Virginia isn’t quite ready to compete in a major conference.

Prediction: WIN

Week 8: Texas Tech vs Kansas (Lubbock, Texas)

Saturday, Oct. 18

This one needs no analyzation. The Jayhawks will always be at the bottom of this league (in football) until they aren’t.

Prediction: WIN

Week 10: Texas Tech at TCU (Fort Worth, Texas)

Saturday, Oct. 25

This is where the five-game stretch of Big 12 play starts to wear the Red Raiders down and it’s perfect timing (just before a date at home with Texas) for a let-down. While beating the Frogs would feel great and give the team added momentum going into a bye-week, TCU is bound to win a game some time (Sonny Cumbie’s betrayal will come to a head).

Prediction: LOSS

Week 11: BYE

Week 12: Texas Tech vs Texas (Lubbock, Texas)

Saturday, Nov. 1

Ah, November. That cruel, cruel period of 30 days where the Red Raiders just can’t seem to beat anyone. Since 2008, Tech is a very disappointing 6-13 in November, and Texas is just the first contest of several against tough opponents to close out the year. Beating UT at home would ignite a fire that could consume everyone left on the schedule and losing would be the first step on a long, sad slide to end the year. This is a tough call, but…

Prediction: WIN

Week 13: BYE

Week 14: Texas Tech vs Oklahoma (Lubbock, Texas)

Saturday, Nov. 15

There’s nothing worse than having to wait a week between beating a major rival at home and playing another major rival at home, particularly when that win is against Texas and Oklahoma is up next. I don’t want to imply that this team isn’t mentally tough enough to handle the situation, but it doesn’t look good from where we’re sitting in mid-May. Again, Tech looks poised for a let-down.

Prediction: LOSS

Week 15: Texas Tech at Iowa State (Ames, Iowa)

Saturday, Nov. 22

Yesterday Iowa State released a schematic design for south end zone additions to Jake Trice Stadium, further evidence that the Cyclones still have one of the best fan bases in the Big 12. Year after year they struggle to win six games, but fans keep supporting their ‘Clones and the school is responding with plans to add more seats and a new video board by next year. Ames will always be a tough place to play, but Tech shouldn’t have too much trouble with a Cyclone team that’s trending down.

Prediction: WIN

Week 16: Texas Tech vs Baylor (AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas)

Saturday, Nov. 29

Is there a hotter team in the Big 12 right now than Baylor? After Robert Griffin won the Heisman and kicked off a short period of excellence in Waco that peaked last year with a Big 12 title, the Bears have more die hard fans than ever before and they will once again fill up a small portion of Jerryworld when these two teams meet for a sixth consecutive year somewhere other than Lubbock or Waco. Seriously, when is this annual trip to DFW and Baylor’s reign of terror going to end? The answer to both those questions is…next year.

Prediction: LOSS

Final 2014 record: 7-5 (4-5)