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
7 of 7
Next
Oct 3, 2020; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders punter Austin McNamara (31) has his punt blocked by Kansas State Wildcats defensive back Ryan Henington (16) during a game at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2020; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders punter Austin McNamara (31) has his punt blocked by Kansas State Wildcats defensive back Ryan Henington (16) during a game at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports /

…special teams aren’t a disaster

If the Red Raiders have any hope of winning today, they can’t have another disastrous day from the special teams.  In fact, they will likely have to play their first clean game of the Big 12 season in that regard.

More from Wreck'Em Red

So far, Tech has yet to make a field goal this year.  That can’t continue if an upset of Iowa State is to occur.

That’s because the Cyclone defense is especially tough in the red zone where the field condenses.  This year, teams have had 10 red-zone opportunities against ISU and they have been held to FG attempts five times.

Thus, kicker Trey Wolff had better get a handle on his case of the yips.  Every opportunity for points has to pay off for Tech to keep up in this contest and what’s more, the psyche of this team likely can’t withstand too many more deflating missed FGs.

Also, can we just have a game without a blocked punt?  Is that too much to ask?

Tech has had a punt blocked in each of the last two games, and in both instances, the blocks proved to be costly as each eventually resulted in seven points.  This week, field position could be critical against the big-play ISU offense so giving punter Austin McNamara enough time to get the ball away is mandatory (as it should be every week).

The all-time out of state Texas Tech football roster. light. Related Story

Two seasons ago, Tech blocked a punt against Iowa State and recovered it for a TD.  We aren’t asking for something that remarkable to happen again (though we wouldn’t turn it down).  All we want is for special teams to be a push.  Make your makeable FGs.  Protect the punter.  Kick the ball deep on kickoffs.  Tackle the Cyclone return men.  You know…do the simple things.  If that happens, Tech might give itself a shot a finally breaking the Matt Campbell spell that hangs over this program.

Home/Texas Tech Football