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Texas Tech football: Predicting all 12 games in 2022

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 13: A model pumpjack sits on the sideline during the first half of the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Iowa State Cyclones at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 13: A model pumpjack sits on the sideline during the first half of the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Iowa State Cyclones at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Oct 23, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Devin Leary (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown with North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Porter Rooks (4) against the Miami Hurricanes during the fourth quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Devin Leary (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown with North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Porter Rooks (4) against the Miami Hurricanes during the fourth quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Tech @ N.C. State

The first road game as head coach at the college level couldn’t be much tougher for McGuire than a trip to N.C. State in game three.  What’s more, this will be a night contest meaning the folks in Raleigh will be nice and lubricated before this one kicks off.

The Wolf Pack enters 2022 with perhaps the greatest expectations in program history.  Many believe they are the biggest threat to Clemson in the ACC and some even think the Pack could be a darkhorse playoff contender.  I don’t buy that but I do see them as a very good team.

QB Devin Leary is one of the best passers in the nation.  A season ago, he was 283-of-431 passing for 3,433 yards, with 35 touchdowns and only five picks.  Will he be able to pick apart a Red Raider secondary that is experienced and old but which was part of the 119th pass defense in the nation in 2021?

Meanwhile, the Pack features an excellent defense to compliment the offense.  Last year, N.C. State gave up just 19.7 points per game and they run the dreaded 3-3-5 scheme that has given Tech so many fits over the years.

In the end, this will be too big of an ask for the Red Raiders in their first road game of the McGuire era.  New routines and new procedures await them on this cross-country trip and that could throw them out of alignment.

Tech is going to have a shot but in the end, they don’t have the star power that the Pack does.  Losing to N.C. State won’t be the end of the world as the Pack looks like a legitimate contender as 2022 opens.   So though the McGuire honeymoon will be over with the season’s first loss, going 2-1 in non-conference play will set Tech up for the potential of a strong season.

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