Texas Tech football: 3 Red Raiders that must step up against Oregon

Steve Linton has to spearhead the Texas Tech pass rush

Perhaps the biggest disappointment from last week was the fact that the offseason talk about an improved Texas Tech pass rush proved, for at least one game, to be just bluster.  Tech managed only one true sack (the defense was given credit for two but one was simply the QB running out of bounds behind the line) and that came on Wyoming’s final drive of regulation.

One name that wasn’t heard nearly enough was Steve Linton, the much-ballyhooed Syracuse transfer.  Though he amassed five tackles on the night, the pass-rush specialist was not noticeable when the Cowboys dropped back to pass.

All offseason, we heard talk about how Linton had dominated practices and scrimmages.  That was why many expected Linton to approach double digits in sacks this season.

Though he has only 8.5 sacks for his career, it was thought that a position change and physical improvements made in the Texas Tech strength and nutrition programs would transform Linton into a pass-rush terror.

That still may come to pass but in week one, it did not.  Perhaps Linton wore down in the thin Wyoming air or perhaps he simply didn’t perform up to his capabilities.  But whatever the reason, he must be better on Saturday.

If Tech can’t get pressure on Oregon QB Bo Nix, he will pick apart the secondary.  Last week, he was 23-27 passing with 3 TDs and in 2022, he completed nearly 72% of his passes.

Of course, the burden of the pass rush will fall on more than just Linton.  Joseph Adidere, Tony Bradford Jr., Myles Cole, and Jaylon Hutchings must also get into the backfield on a consistent basis.  Linton needs to do his share though.  If there was ever a game for him to live up to the offseason hype, it would be this one and here’s hoping that’s what he does.