Texas Tech football: What Alan Bowman has to prove in 2020

He can develop a rapport with his receivers despite an interrupted offseason

Because of his injuries, Bowman does not have hardly any game experience with the receivers he will be throwing too in 2020.  That even includes senior T.J. Vasher.

Though the two have been teammates for two seasons, they played just 11 games together with two of those being cut short when Bowman left the game with a collapsed lung.  And the start that that duo got off to was less than stellar.  Though they did connect six times for 96 yards against Arizona, miscommunications between the two did lead to one interception and several other incompletions that were simply a result of the two not being on the same page. That has to change in 2020 for Tech to be better on offense than we saw in Tempe.

Also, Bowman has to build a relationship with receivers like Erik Ezukanma, McLane Mannix, Xavier White, and Travis Koontz, all of who were first-time contributors last year meaning they have just three games with Bowman as their QB.   That group will comprise the majority of Bowman’s targets this fall (along with Vasher).

The Red Raiders may also be working a pair of freshmen, Ja’Lynn Polk and Loic Fouonji, into the rotation this season.  One has to wonder how much time they may have to learn how their new QB wants them to run routes and how effectively they will be able to develop a sense of timing with Bowman if there is no in-person contact this summer and if fall camp is abbreviated.

The passing game is all about trust and timing.  Thus, it will be imperative that Bowman and his targets are able to build the type of rapport that will allow them to operate at a higher level than we saw from the Red Raider passing game at any time last season.