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

…the offensive line controls the ISU pass rush

Another drawback to the 3-3-5 defense is that it is often more difficult to get pressure on the QB given that you are usually rushing only three men.  But that’s not been an issue for Iowa State in 2020.

So far, the Cyclones have 11 sacks on the year, tied for second-most in the conference.  Thus, Tech’s o-line has to make sure to keep the QB’s clean.  The good news is that the Red Raiders have done a good job of pass protection this year by allowing just one sack in three games.

On the ISU defensive line, everything begins with defensive end JaQuan Bailey.  Already with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble to his credit this year, he’s the Cyclone’s most disruptive force.

The senior from Florida only played in three games in 2019 due to injury.  But in 2018, he had five tackles and a sack against the Red Raiders and by the way, that sack resulted in a safety which proved pivotal in a game that was decided by nine points.  What’s more, in 2017 he forced a key fumble in Lubbock, and in 2016 he was credited whit a half-sack when Tech went to Ames.

Not to be overlooked is the other ISU starting DE, Will McDonald IV.  The sophomore also has 3.5 sacks on this young season.  That comes on the heels of 6 sacks last year as a redshirt freshman.

It will be imperative that Tech’s tackles handle these disruptive ends without tons of help from the guards.  That’s because if they can, it will free up the interior of the d-line to pick up blitzes and stunts, something that ISU is famous for.

If a team can keep ISU from getting consistent pressure with its front three, then it forces the Cyclones to make a choice between sitting back in their zone with eight men or bringing extra pressure on blitzes.  If Tech wants to move the ball today, it has to force ISU’s hand in that aspect of the game, and should that happen, it will make this defense far easier to decipher and beat.