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Texas Tech football: Reasons to be optimistic about WVU game

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 05: Quarterback Jett Duffey #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders passes the ball during the first half of the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Oklahoma State Cowboys on October 05, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 05: Quarterback Jett Duffey #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders passes the ball during the first half of the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Oklahoma State Cowboys on October 05, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

The Red Raiders should be healthier after a week off

Though there is a significant portion of the fan base that doesn’t want to accept any excuse for the Red Raiders’ loss at Kansas, no one can argue that the team’s injury issues were a factor in the outcome of the 37-34 Jayhawk win two weeks ago.  Whether one wants to consider that a viable excuse or not is up to each individual fan.

But there’s no denying that the absence of guys such as Nelson Mbanasor, Tony Bradford Jr., and Lonzell Gilmore along the defensive line as well as the absence of corner Des Smith all took a toll on an incredibly thin defense that was exposed in the second half.  In addition, several players played that game at less than 100% including safeties Douglas Coleman, Adrian Frye, and Evan Rambo, as well as running back SaRodorick Thompson.  What’s more, in the course of the game running back Armand Shyne was also lost after sustaining broken ribs.

While Gilmore and Shyne have seen their seasons come to an end because of their injuries, there’s a possibility that most, if not all of the above-mentioned players could return.  That should help Matt Wells team have a better chance at playing a complete game rather than fading after halftime as has been the case far too often this year.

No one is suggesting the return of the missing players or the full health of the ones that have been playing banged up will turn this defense into Alabama’s.  But it will allow the starters to have more of a breather during the game, which is especially key along the defensive line, and it could prevent the Red Raiders from having to expose true freshmen that aren’t ready to handle huge minutes (which is what happened in Lawrence when corners Dadrion Taylor and Alex Hogan were forced into action).

The late-season bye week has been rare for Texas Tech over the years.  What hasn’t been so rare is this program’s lack of depth becoming an issue in the final month of the season.  Hopefully, having the last two weeks to heal will help solidify the roster and give it more of a fighting chance in Morgantown.

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