Texas Tech football: Concerning trends regarding Matt Wells’ career

His evaluation of QBs while at Tech has been puzzling

Another trend from his time in Lubbock that is concerning is his quarterback evaluation.  That’s a problem that resurfaced against Iowa State and one that could derail his tenure on the South Plains if he doesn’t quickly begin to improve when it comes to picking his starter at the game’s most important position.

Let’s work backward here.  Over the next two weeks, Wells and his offensive staff have to decide whether to stick with Alan Bowman or roll the dice and give backup Henry Colombi the start against West Virginia on October 24th.

Which option they settle on will not only set the tone for the remainder of the 2020 season but it will also send significant waves through the fan base, especially if Bowman is the choice.  If Wells gets this decision wrong, it could be what starts the unraveling of his hold on his job because it could lead to a disastrous end to 2020 and, if he picks Bowman, it will anger the vast majority of a fan base that he has already lost.

The decision seems like a no-brainer.  In his last 10 drives, Bowman has led Texas Tech to zero points.  Meanwhile, in his last 10 possessions, Colombi has led the offense to 28 points with two more drives ending in missed field goals.

But is Wells a coach we can trust to make the smart decision when it comes to QBs?  After all, he and OC David Yost decided that Bowman was the better option to start against Iowa State despite limited practice time due to a sprained ankle suffered against Kansas State.

What’s more, last year, Wells gave the start against Oklahoma to walk-on Jackson Tyner one game after Bowman was lost for the year with a broken collarbone.  Think about that.  Facing the Sooners on the road in one of the most daunting environments in college football, he threw Tyner (who had never completed a pass as a collegiate) into the fray.

What’s more, sitting on the bench at the start of that game was Jett Duffey.  Though he was never a superstar QB as many hoped he would be when he signed with the program, at least Duffey was a competent Big 12 player who had thrown for 1,221 yards and 8 TDs the previous season and who was by far the better choice to face OU.

So while the QB question looms over this program once again (this time because of Bowman’s ineffectiveness and not an injury), would you blame any fan for fearing that Wells will get it wrong again?  After all, making smart QB decisions while he’s been a Red Raider has not been his forte.