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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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Quarterback Jett Duffey #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders hands the ball to running back Ta’Zhawn Henry #26 during the first half of the college football game against the TCU Horned Frogs on November 16, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Quarterback Jett Duffey #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders hands the ball to running back Ta’Zhawn Henry #26 during the first half of the college football game against the TCU Horned Frogs on November 16, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Solid protection from the new tackles

This season will likely hinge on the availability of QB Alan Bowman.  So by extension, it will also hinge on the play of the new offensive tackles.

Matt Wells has indicated that multiple players will get first-team reps at both tackle spots against Houston Baptist as it feels like this position battle may still be ongoing.  That’s understandable given that it is tough to fully evaluate offensive linemen in practices where there is no true live-action.

Wofford transfer Josh Burger and JUCO signee Ethan Carde are going to start according to the first depth chart.  But we may also see senior Zach Adams, junior Casey Verhulst, and true freshman Caleb Rodgers as well.

What we don’t want to see is Alan Bowman and the rest of the QBs under duress all night, especially against a defense that didn’t register a single sack last week against North Texas.  If that happens, it will be a concerning development with Texas next on the schedule.

But also, watch to see whether Tech is able to run behind the new tackles.  We know that the interior of the line, with three returning starters, is going to be solid in the ground game.  But also look to see if the Red Raiders are successful in running off-tackle as well.  We believe that Burger, who operated in a triple-option scheme at Wofford, will be good in that area but can the 6-foot-8 Carde play low enough to move defensive linemen off the line of scrimmage?

It isn’t second nature to watch the offensive line when taking in a live football game but keep that position group, especially the tackles, in the back of your mind tonight.  Because how they perform will tell us quite a bit about where this offense is as we open 2020.

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