Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech football: The Red Raiders can beat Iowa State if…

By Matthew Conner

Sep 26, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver TJ Vaser (9) celebrates with wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (13) after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver TJ Vaser (9) celebrates with wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (13) after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
Oct 3, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (15) gets away from Oklahoma outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (11) during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State would go on to defeat Oklahoma 37-30. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (15) gets away from Oklahoma outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (11) during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State would go on to defeat Oklahoma 37-30. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports /

…Purdy continues to be average

It’s fortunate for the Cyclones that Hall and the running game have been so dominant thus far in 2020 because starting QB Brock Purdy’s numbers are down across the board.  Today, if he continues to be just an average quarterback by Big 12 standards, Tech could find a way to slow the ISU offense enough to make this game interesting.

After passing for an average of 306.3 yards per game and completing 65.7% of his passes for a QB rating of 151.1 in 2019, the junior has seen his numbers drop in 2020.  He’s averaging just 203.3 yards per game through the air while completing only 56.1% of his passes for a QB rating of 124.2.  Those numbers are even worse then what he managed to put up as a true freshman in 2018.

Part of the dip can be explained by the fact that he’s faced TCU and Oklahoma in his two Big 12 starts so far.  While neither have dominant defenses, both are in the upper echelon when it comes to this conference and both are markedly better than the defense Purdy will see this afternoon.

Also, there has been some significant turnover on the ISU offense.  With three new starting offensive linemen and the fact that some key receivers and tight ends have missed time this year, timing has been an issue for Purdy.

But so far, the Cyclones haven’t put much on Purdy’s plate.  He’s not attempted more than 35 passes in a game this season and in his two Big 12 starts, he’s averaged just 23.5.

Coming off of a pedestrian 12-24 effort for 254 yards and one TD against OU, his stock has started to dip ever so slightly as he entered the season a potential first-round NFL Draft pick in the eyes of many scouts.  Hopefully, he doesn’t get right against the ever so generous Red Raider defense this afternoon.  If he continues to be just a run of the mill QB, it will give the Red Raiders a much greater shot at coming out of Ames with a victory.

Home/Texas Tech Football