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Texas Tech football: Important storylines ahead of UT game

By Matthew Conner

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 29: Brennan Eagles #13 of the Texas Longhorns gives a stiff arm to Adam Beck #24 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders after a reception in the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 29: Brennan Eagles #13 of the Texas Longhorns gives a stiff arm to Adam Beck #24 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders after a reception in the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings #95 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates after tackling running back Ean Beek #2 of the Houston Baptist Huskies during the first half of the college football game on September 12, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings #95 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates after tackling running back Ean Beek #2 of the Houston Baptist Huskies during the first half of the college football game on September 12, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

The defense has a shot at redemption

One has to believe that the Texas Tech defense is tired of already hearing how bad it is in 2020.  Though the criticism after week one was more than warranted, the players and coaches on that side of the ball likely feel like they’ve been written off too quickly.

If respect is what they want, this week provides them with the perfect opportunity to earn it.  Though it won’t be easy.

The Longhorns are the No. 1 team in the nation in total offense after putting up 689 yards against UTEP in their opener.  What’s more, they lead the way in points per game as well with 59 per game.

Of course, one game does not make for accurate rankings but it does show how explosive and dominant the Horns have the potential to be.  So if Tech can play representatively on defense this weekend, perhaps all the naysayers (of which I am certainly one) will have some crow to eat.

We aren’t asking for a shutout or something close.  We simply want to see Tech’s defense come up with enough stops to give the offense a chance to keep the game interesting throughout.

In four of the last five meetings in this series, UT has topped the 40-point mark.  But if Tech can hold them to something in the 30s, that might be good enough to allow Alan Bowman and the offense to outscore the heavily-favorited Longhorns.

Should that happen, we will all feel much better about what this defense is.  In sports, all you can ask for after being humbled is a chance at redemption and that’s what this massive test on Saturday provides for Keith Patterson’s unit.

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