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Texas Tech football: What we want to see vs. Houston Baptist

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 07: Jones AT&T Stadium is pictured before the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the UTEP Miners on September 07, 2019 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 07: Jones AT&T Stadium is pictured before the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the UTEP Miners on September 07, 2019 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 14: Running back SaRodorick Thompson #28 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts after scoring a one yard rushing touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 14: Running back SaRodorick Thompson #28 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts after scoring a one yard rushing touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Productivity from all of the RBs

Houston Baptist has an atrocious run defense.  Last year, they allowed 179.4 yards per game on the ground, and in their 2020 debut against UNT, they surrendered 360.

Thus, we should assume that Texas Tech’s sophomore RB SaRodorick Thomspon will have his way with the Huskies tonight.  After all, he led his team in rushing in 2019 with a nice 765 yards and 12 TDs in what was an excellent first season as the starting RB.

But what we don’t know right now is how good the talent behind him is.  That’s going to be important to figure out given how likely it is that the RB position group will suffer some injuries over the course of the year.

We think there is plenty of talent behind Thompson.  But none of it is proven talent.

Xavier White is now at RB instead of inside receiver and he’s listed at No. 2 on the depth chart.  After missing the final eight games of last season, he’ll be making his debut in the backfield and that could mean there will be an adjustment period for him.

Many Red Raider fans are also excited to see Alabama transfer Chadarius Townsend make his Red Raider debut tonight.  He too has spent the majority of his career as a slot receiver but now he’s found a home at running back and it is expected that the former four-star high school signee will bring some serious juice to the Tech attack given his explosive speed.

Perhaps the biggest RB debut to monitor tonight though will be that of true freshman Tahj Brooks.  Already 215 pounds, the 5-foot-10 Manor, Texas native has the potential to be an every-down back and he may need to be that to help keep Thomspon fresh.

Last November, Thompson was the only healthy scholarship RB the Red Raiders had to rely on and that can’t be the case again this year if 2020’s offense is going to be more effective late in the season.  So the performance of the backups behind him will be worth watching this evening.

Also, look to see if this position group is solid in pass protection in addition to taking advantage of what is expected to be a porous run defense.  If that proves to be the case, it will be a great sign for this year’s rebuilt RB group.

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