Texas Tech football: Run defense, time of possession, takeaways keys vs. Wyoming

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Aug 31, 2019; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings (95) stops Montana State Bobcats running back Isaiah Ifans (22) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Tech needs to keep Wyoming below 120 yards rushing

It will be no secret that Wyoming will want to run the football early and often against Texas Tech. That’s really the Cowboys’ only path to pulling the upset.

Last year, Wyoming ran for 181.4 yards per game, 43rd-best in the nation. Meanwhile, Tech gave up 172.5 yards per game on the ground, 80th overall.

This year, the goal for week one should be for Tech to keep Wyoming below 120 yards rushing. Should that happen, it would put the burden on the Cowboy passing attack, which was sixth-worst in the nation last fall.

Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl wants to play an old-school brand of football. Pounding the rock and playing solid defense have long been his hallmarks and he isn’t going to stray from them this season after two decades of coaching that style into his teams.

Last year, Tech struggled against the run at times. Of course, that was against Big 12 teams that could also threaten with the pass and keep the defense off balance.

Still, the fact that Texas, Kansas State, Baylor, TCU, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss all ran for at least 150 yards on Tim DeRuyter’s defense was not encouraging. What’s more, K-State, Baylor, TCU, Kansas, and OU all ran for more than 200 yards against Tech.

That must change this year. Keeping the Cowboys under control on the ground would be a great start in that regard. What’s more, making Wyoming beat the Red Raiders through the air is going to help McGuire and Co. achieve the next statistical goal that we will analyze.

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