Go at least 3-2 in the toss-up games
The Big 12 looks to have two dominant teams this year in Texas and OU and two teams most believe will be dreadful in the two Kansas schools. How Tech fares against the teams in the middle will likely determine if a bowl game is in store.
If Tech can go 3-2 against TCU, West Virginia, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and Baylor, it will have a great shot at reaching the postseason. The good news is that three of those games come at home (or is that good news?).
On the other hand, these teams have had their way with Tech in recent years. Iowa State has taken the last three meetings with the Raiders and the only game in that time period that has been within ten points was last year’s 40-31 Cyclone win.
West Virginia is riding an even longer winning streak against Tech. Dating back to 2014, the Mountaineers have taken five-straight in the series.
Baylor has taken six of the last eight games with the Red Raiders and will have the luxury of hosting Tech in Waco as the series returns to campus. And as we discussed earlier, Oklahoma State and TCU have had no trouble winning in Lubbock in recent years.
Wells must start to beat these Big 12 rivals, which occupy the same relative neighborhood in the conference hierarchy, with more consistency than Kingsbury or Tuberville did. Tech does not have a winning record against any of these teams since 2013 but to reach a bowl in 2019, the Red Raiders likely have to have a winning record against them as a group.