Texas Tech football: Donovan Smith highlights players to watch vs. Houston

Donovan Smith has to be in control of the entire offense

One of the reasons that Joey McGuire gave for naming Tyler Shough the starting quarterback prior to the season was that Shough constantly put the offense in a position to succeed by making the correct calls at the line of scrimmage.  That’s a huge component of offensive coordinator Zach Kittley’s philosophy, placing the at-the-line responsibilities on his signal caller.

Now, the question that remains to be answered is whether Donovan Smith can handle that aspect of the job.  In relief of Shough last Saturday, he was tremendous going 14-16 for 221 yards and four touchdowns.  But, that was against lowly Murray State.

This week, he’s going to have to perform against a much better team in the form of the Houston Cougars.  Plus, we must keep in mind that he’ll be making just his fifth collegiate start.

Last year, Smith was up-and-down in his four games as QB1.  He was terrific against Iowa State going 25-32 for 322 yards and 3 TDs as Tech pulled off the season’s biggest win.  Three games later, in the Liberty Bowl, he was named offensive MVP after completing 15-28 passes for 252 yards and one TD.

However, in the two games between ISU and the Liberty Bowl, he was below average.  Facing the two best defenses in the Big 12, Baylor and Oklahoma State, he was a combined 24-52 for just 345 yards and two TDs.

So which Donovan Smith will show up on Saturday?  The answer to that question will likely determine how this game plays out.