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Texas Tech football: What Texas Tech has to do to beat TCU

By Matthew Conner

Oct 2, 2021; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Henry Colombi (3) throws a pass during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Henry Colombi (3) throws a pass during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan (15) scores an 89 yard touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan (15) scores an 89 yard touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports /

Don’t let TCU win the game on the ground

TCU has two dangerous offensive weapons and both do most of their damage in the rushing game.  Thus, Tech can’t allow the Frogs to run wild.  Instead, it is imperative that the Red Raider defense makes TCU try to win this game through the air.

Most important is to keep QB Max Duggan from chewing up yards with his legs.  That’s been an issue for Tech in each of the last two meetings in this series.

Two seasons ago, Duggan ran for 75 yards, including a 20-yard score, on 18 carries as the Frogs won 33-31 in Lubbock.  And last year, the Red Raiders let Duggan collect 154 yards and three TDs on the ground in TCU’s 34-18 win.  That performance included TD runs of 48 and 81 yards.

There’s no question that Duggan is one of the best running QBs in the nation.  But when it comes to throwing the ball, he’s merely average (and that’s being generous).

For his career, he’s just a 57.5% passer.  And never has he completed more than 61% of his passes in a season.  This year, he’s on pace to do that but only by a bit as he’s at 63.2% through four games.  Thus, it would be wise for Tech to make Duggan prove that he can win this game with his arm and not his feet.

Meanwhile, Tech also must keep TCU’s star RB, Zach Evans, in check.  The former 5-star recruit has amazing top-end speed and is averaging over 110 yards per game on the ground thus far.  Also, his 7.8 yards per carry proves just how dangerous of a weapon he is.

Thus, look for Tech to load up the box tonight and try to keep these two TCU ground weapons from deciding this game.  If they can prevent the Frogs from racking up the yards on land, it will bode well for the home team’s chances this evening.

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