2014 Texas Tech Red Raider Football SWOT Analysis
By Robert Jones
A common tool in all forms of business, the SWOT analysis is typically used to provide a comprehensive overview of projects, ventures and organizations.
But can it work for college football teams?
the SWOT acronym − not to be confused with police S.W.O.T. − stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. It involves clearly specifying an objective and then identifying the internal and external factors that could either aid or impede success.
For Texas Tech football, the objective is simple: win every game.
Strengths
The most pronounced strength of this team is at quarterback with sophomore Davis Webb. The physical and mental talent he brings to field at the most critical position is highly encouraging, as is the 13-touchdown, 0-interception mark he set in spring scrimmages.
But no quarterback would be complete without a stellar offensive line and receiver corp, luxuries Webb should have this season. Depth and veteran leadership along the line will make all the difference from a year ago, and a speedy group of receivers will help stretch the field.
Weaknesses
Defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt said yesterday he expects two true freshmen to be in the two-deep at cornerback when the season starts, making an already youthful secondary that much younger. Some experience exists at safety with a dozen or so starts between junior J.J. Gaines and sophomore Keenon Ward, but there’s hardly any at corner.
Depth at linebacker is also a bit concerning, considering only two proven commodities exist between four distinct positions. Pete Robertson and Sam Eguavoen are the clear favorites at Bandit and Will, but depth behind them and clear leaders at the other two spots are proving hard to come by.
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Yes, Davis Webb at quarterback is this team’s biggest strength, but the depth behind him is arguably its biggest weakness. If Webb goes down, the next man up is true freshman Patrick Mahomes followed by a parade of walk-ons.
Opportunities
No conference has experienced as much parity in the last five years as the Big 12. Since 2009, five different teams have won the league, including non-traditional powers Oklahoma St. (’11), Kansas St. (’12) and Baylor (’13). This year, Oklahoma is the favorite, but those who predict these things haven’t gotten it right in a long time. Who will be the surprise team this year? It probably won’t be Tech (see weaknesses), but you never can tell.
The only true road game Tech plays against a Top 25 team this year is Kansas St. (20) in Manhattan. Oklahoma and Texas come to Lubbock and the Red Raiders meet Baylor in Arlington once again (a de facto home game the last few seasons with all the DFW alumni).
Threats
True, Tech gets some good teams at home in November, but that doesn’t guarantee victory. Winning November homes games has been a difficult task the last few years, and Tech’s last four games this season are a bona fide murder’s row. After back-to-back tilts with Texas and Oklahoma, a trap game in Ames, Iowa awaits just before the Red Raiders square off with the defending league champs.
Conclusion: Texas Tech has all the tools on offense to make a run at the Big 12 title right now, especially considering how wide open the league still is. However, inconsistency on defense and another nightmare schedule in November will put that goal just out of reach.