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Texas Tech football: Positive developments from Oklahoma State loss

By Matthew Conner

Nov 28, 2020; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Christian Holmes (0) tries to bring down Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (13) during a football game at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2020; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Christian Holmes (0) tries to bring down Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (13) during a football game at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 31: Offensive lineman Caleb Rogers #76 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders kneels in the end zone before the college football game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 31: Offensive lineman Caleb Rogers #76 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders kneels in the end zone before the college football game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

The offensive line played well

Anytime a team puts up 639 yards of total offense as Tech did on Saturday, credit has to go to the offensive line.  And indeed, the Red Raider offensive front played perhaps its best game of the year against the Cowboys.

The Oklahoma State defensive line was a concern heading into this game.  After all, the Pokes are second in the Big 12 in sacks per game at 3.12.

However, they managed just one against Tech.  What’s more, they were credited with only two more QB pressures.  That’s quite the improvement from a Texas Tech offensive line that had given up eleven sacks in the previous four games combined.

On the ground, the line also excelled.  Allowing Tech to run for 258 yards on the day, the line paved the way for the running backs to average 6.8 yards per carry.

One notable change to the offensive line over the last two games has been the insertion of Caleb Rogers into the starting five at left tackle.  The true freshman has been more than solid in his two starts and has shored up part of the line that was a weakness when JUCO transfer Ethan Carde was the starter.

Moving into next year, Tech must be better along the offensive line, especially at tackle.  That will be easier to accomplish if Wells and Co. are certain that Rogers is the answer at left tackle.  And we will feel much more comfortable with the future of the offense if the line continues to play as well as it did against the Cowboys.

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