5 reasons Pat Mahomes will be a 2016 Hesiman finalist
No. 3
Texas Tech will likely have to win many shootouts in 2016
It seems like we say this every year but last season’s Texas Tech defense was the worst in school history. Finishing 126th out of 127 teams in college football against the run and in total defense, the Red Raiders were unable to stop anyone in the first year under defensive coordinator David Gibbs.
Seven times the 2015 Texas Tech defense allowed over 600 yards of total offense. Even worse, the team gave up over 40 points in eight of thirteen games on the year.
Now, consider the fact that in 2016, Texas Tech returns only one starting defensive lineman, sophomore defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko. The team signed eight defensive linemen to the 2016 recruiting class (seven high school signees) and Kliff Kingsbury has said that all eight will see action next fall.
As if that is not scary enough, the team’s top corner from 2015 Nigel Bethell is currently not part of the team and there is no guarantee of his return. That situation could leave a very suspect Texas Tech secondary thin on experience and talent.
I could go on and point out that the 2016 team is losing eight sacks from a 2015 team that registered only 27 on the year or that the team will likely start freshmen or sophomores at as many as half of the defensive positions but I wont. I don’t want to ruin your day.
Just be prepared for the fact that Texas Tech will probably struggle again defensively in 2016. That is where Pat Mahomes may have to bail his team out of numerous holes.
If Texas Tech is to return to a bowl game or even move up the Big 12 rankings, it will be thanks to Pat Mahomes and the offense. The magic of Mahomes is gong to be how Texas Tech will win games in 2016 and if he can pull off enough offensive miracles, he will gain national attention for his heroics.
Next: Experience