Texas Tech football: Ranking the 2023 home games by difficulty

No. 1: Oregon @ Texas Tech

There’s a reason the September 9th home opener against Oregon is arguably one of the biggest non-conference games in the history of Jones Stadium.  That’s because a team as good as the Ducks rarely come to Lubbock in the non-conference, especially in years when Tech appears to have a top-25 caliber team as well.

Make no mistake, Oregon is loaded with talent.  It starts at QB where Bo Nix will conclude a college career that began at Auburn and which feels as if it has been going on since the start of the Obama administration.

The Heisman hopeful has thrown for nearly 11,000 yards and 68 TDs in his career this year.  Last year, he completed a ridiculous 71.9% of his passes and had 29 TD passes with only seven picks.

Also, running backs Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington return after amassing a combined 1,837 yards last fall.  What’s more, 2022’s leading receiver, Troy Franklin is back after catching 61 passes for 891 yards and nine TDs last year.

On defense, a solid but not special unit has been fortified with the additions of transfer linebackers from Iowa, and Arizona State as well as defensive backs from Alabama and Ole Miss and a defensive end from South Carolina.  Will those new faces take the Ducks’ defense to an elite level?  If so, they could compete with USC for a PAC-12 title and a spot in the playoff.

They will have to get past Tech in Lubbock, though.  This night game will be a litmus test for just how far the Red Raiders have come under McGuire.  It will also tell us just how much of the Jones Stadium magic has returned to the South Plains.

Tech hasn’t hosted a ranked Power 5 non-conference team since 1994 when No. 1 Nebraska rolled through town and picked up a 42-16 win.  Thus, this rare marquee non-conference home showdown is going to be special.  But it won’t be an easy task for the Red Raiders as Oregon is probably the best team Tech will face this year.