Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech football: Why this could be year Alan Bowman stays healthy

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 07: Wide receiver T.J. Vasher #9 of Texas Tech celebrates scoring a touchdown with quarterback Alan Bowman #10, and offensive linemen Travis Bruffy #79 Zach Adams #65 during the second half of the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the UTEP Miners on September 07, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 07: Wide receiver T.J. Vasher #9 of Texas Tech celebrates scoring a touchdown with quarterback Alan Bowman #10, and offensive linemen Travis Bruffy #79 Zach Adams #65 during the second half of the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the UTEP Miners on September 07, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
LUBBOCK, TX – SEPTEMBER 08: Alan Bowman #10 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders hands the ball off to SaRodorick Thompson #28. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – SEPTEMBER 08: Alan Bowman #10 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders hands the ball off to SaRodorick Thompson #28. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

Bowman will be protected by a stronger ground game

Texas Tech is expected to have a markedly improved ground game this fall.  Thus, Yost, who likes to run the ball out of the spread offense, might be more balanced in his run/pass ratio and that will limit the opportunities for Bowman to take hits.

More from Wreck'Em Red

The key to the ground game is undoubtedly SaRodorick Thompson.  What’s interesting is that he and Bowman have played almost no football together.

In 2018, Thompson appeared in just four games, and last year, Bowman appeared in three.  What’s more, when the two were playing together in 2019, Thompson had yet to emerge as the workhorse that he would eventually become.

In Tech’s first three games of last season, Thompson averaged just 7.6 carries and never had more than eight in any contest.  But in games 4-12, he averaged 15.2 and had fewer than 10 only once.  This year, if he doesn’t carry the rock at least 10-15 times per game, Yost should have his head examined as Thompson is the offense’s best weapon.

Also, Tech has added Alabama grad transfer, Chadarious Townsend, to the mix to provide some quality depth.  Throw in true freshman Tahj Broks and Yost looks to have a formidable trio at RB.

What’s more, a shortened season would also keep these backs from getting worn down as was the case with last year’s RB trio.  And the more Tech keeps the ball on the ground the more likely Bowman is to remain healthy.

Next. The six most important games to Matt Wells in 2020. dark

No one is going to fault any Red Raider fan for being cynical about Bowman’s health.  Until we see him make it through a full season, we are going to hold our breath every time he takes a hit.  But these factors should give us at least a decent amount of hope that this will be the year we get to see what he can do over the course of an entire campaign.

Home/Texas Tech Football