Below 150 rushing yards per game
Because we have all been reprogrammed by the pass-happy Big 12 over the last two decades, we often tend to focus more heavily on the passing game than the ground game, regardless of the side of the football. But while we all want Tech to be better against the pass than last year, it will be just as imperative that this program stiffens up against the run.
Last year, Tech was woeful in that department allowing 186.4 yards per game on the ground. That was 89th in the NCAA.
What’s more, in Tech’s six losses in 2020, the opposition averaged 237.6 rushing yards per game. That included a whopping 317 rushing yards by Oklahoma State. In fact, every team that beat Texas Tech last year, except for Kansas State, ran for over 200 yards…and KSU ran for 198.
Now, stopping the run might be even more imperative in 2021 given that the Big 12 will feature a bevy of star running backs while being light on experienced and proven quarterbacks. Players like Texas’ Bijan Robinson, K-State’s Deuce Vaughn, Iowa State’s Breece Hall, and West Virginia’s Leddie Brown could all threaten the 1,000-yard mark this season (barring injury of course) and each will pose a tremendous threat to the Red Raiders.
Thus, beefing up the run defense will be job No. 1 for Patterson. And a great goal would be to allow fewer than 150 yards per game on the ground. Hitting that mark would have ranked sixth in the Big 12 last season and that is about where we should expect this Red Raider defense to be in most categories.
So this season, don’t overlook Tech’s rushing defense when you evaluate whether or not this defense has taken a serious step forward. While the passing game is certainly king in the Big 12, this could be the year of the running back in this conference and the Red Raiders must be up to the challenge.