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Texas Tech football: Streaks that need to end in 2022

By Matthew Conner

Oct 9, 2021; Lubbock, Texas, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders enter the field before the game agains the Texas Christian Horned Frogs at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2021; Lubbock, Texas, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders enter the field before the game agains the Texas Christian Horned Frogs at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2020; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back SaRodorick Thompson (4) runs away from Kansas State Wildcats defensive tackle Eli Huggins (92) 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 running back SaRodorick Thompson (4) runs away from Kansas State Wildcats defensive tackle Eli Huggins (92) during a game at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports /

Six-straight losses to Kansas State

If we were to break the Big 12 into tiers based on the prestige of the programs, Tech would find itself in the same neighborhood as Kansas State.  But for some reason, the Red Raiders have been simply beguiled by the Wildcats for the last six seasons.  That’s a streak that needs to end in 2022.

Remember, Kansas State changed coaches in 2019, the same year that Tech hired Matt Wells.  But their hiring of Chris Kleiman has been far more successful as the former North Dakota State head coach has led KSU to eight wins in two of his three seasons in Manhattan.

Thus, KSU is a program that is viewed far more favorably than Tech is right now.  Of course, the only way to change that perception is to start to turn the tide in this series.

That won’t be easy this year as Tech has to travel to the Little Apple where the Red Raiders haven’t won since 2008.  What’s more, this year’s meeting with KSU comes one week after Tech hosts Texas so it is fair to wonder if there will be any sort of emotional lull on the heels of what will be the season’s most juiced-up home game.

KSU is a bit of a mystery team this year.  But some believe they could make serious noise in the league race.  After all, they return All-Big 12 running back Deuce Vaughn as well as their top two receivers from a year ago.

But questions must be asked about whether or not Nebraska transfer Adrian Martinez can take the Wildcats to contender status.  The QB who is the Huskers’ all-time leader in total yards and who accounted for 80 total TDs in his four seasons in Lincoln is a true wildcard.  An amazing athlete, he can make spectacular plays with both his feet and his arm but he’s also turned the ball over 30 times in his career.  What’s more, he is just 15-23 as a starting QB and he’s never reached a bowl game.

Tech gets to travel to Manhattan in September this season meaning that weather won’t be an issue as it so often has been when Tech has traveled to face the Wildcats.  And catching KSU early in the schedule could give the Red Raiders a better shot at coming out on top as the Wildcats are usually a team that gets stronger as the season progresses.  So hopefully, this is the year that the current losing streak to the purple cats comes to an end.

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