Texas Tech football: 3 OSU defensive players Tech must contend with

For the struggling Texas Tech football team’s offense to get back in rhythm, it will have to contend with these talented Oklahoma State defenders.

It feels strange to be as disconcerted about the Texas Tech football team’s offense as we are entering this week’s Big 12 home opener against Oklahoma State.  But with the Red Raiders having put up just 15 points per game in the only two contests against Power 5 teams on the schedule thus far and with backup QB Jett Duffey having to run the show, it is easy to see why Red Raider fans fear that the offense is not capable of putting up enough points to compete in the Big 12.

The defense that will be standing in Tech’s way this weekend is an underrated group that plays hard and with plenty of aggression.  In fact, the 4-2-5 scheme of second-year DC Jim Knowles is similar to Tech’s 3-3-5 scheme.

The Cowboys will ask their corners to play tight coverage and quite often, the defensive backs will be put on an island in man coverage.  That’s especially likely this weekend against a Tech receiving corps that has shown no ability to beat man coverage with consistency through four games.

We should also expect plenty of pressure on third downs.  Lately, OSU has been tough on the game’s most critical down. Though the Pokes rank just 7th in the conference in 3rd-down defense (opponents are converting on 42.9% of the time), in two Big 12 games, the Cowboys have been stingy by allowing Texas and Kansas State to go just 9-27 on 3rd-down conversions.

Overall, the OSU defense is average statistically for a Big 12 team.  It ranks No. 7 in total defense (380.8 yards per game) and tied for No 6 in scoring defense (24 points per game).

In fact, in just about every defensive category, the Cowboys rank right in the middle of the Big 12 standings.  But there is one area where OSU is lacking that could prove to be important against Tech.

The Cowboys have struggled to rush the passer this year registering just seven sacks in five games.  That’s just 9th in the Big 12.   Perhaps that lack of a pass rush will allow the Red Raider passing game to find its groove this week.

But if Tech reaches the red zone keep an eye on how the offense fares.  That’s because the OSU defense is third in the Big 12 in red zone defense and has prevented touchdowns on five of 16 opponent drives inside the 20.

This is a defense that is counting on the sum of its parts being greater than the individual talent on the roster.  And with six new starters this year, it’s a unit that may still be finding its form.

But make no mistake, there is some NFL talent on that side of the ball for the Cowboys.  Let’s take a look at three OSU defenders that Tech must be ready to withstand this week for the offense to have the type of day Red Raider fans have come to expect.