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Texas Tech football: What we want to see from Red Raiders vs. Tarleton

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: Defensive lineman Joseph Adedire #43 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs across the field before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 22, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: Defensive lineman Joseph Adedire #43 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs across the field before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 22, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Texas Tech’s head coach Joey McGuire walks on to the field during the game against Oregon, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Texas Tech’s head coach Joey McGuire walks on to the field during the game against Oregon, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Jones AT&T Stadium. /

Let’s see if Texas Tech can play a clean game finally

Unfortunately, both of the games Texas Tech has played this year have been marred by sloppy mistakes.  Against Tarleton, it will be time to clean that up.

First of all, it would be refreshing for Shough to have a clean game in terms of turnovers.  He’s been responsible for all five of Tech’s giveaways this year and that can’t continue to be the case for the Red Raiders’ starting quarterback.

This is a game in which Shough must know that he doesn’t have to take risks.  Tech should have enough talent to beat Tarleton without having to throw caution to the wind.

There shouldn’t be any moments when Shough feels the need to do too much while under pressure or make a risky throw down the field.  If he can understand that as long as every possession ends in a kick of some kind, his team will be just fine, he should have a clean game.

Also, let’s look to see if this team can stop the needless and untimely penalties that have cost them this year.  Tech has to stop hitting people out of bounds, stop getting called for hands to the face, and stop hurting themselves with mental mistakes.

In 2023, McGuire’s team is averaging 6.5 penalties per game.  That’s not an egregious number but it could be better.

Mental mistakes should start to decline by the third game of the year.  This is the 1/4 mark of the season and next week, business picks up with the start of Big 12 action. It’s time for Tech to put together its first clean game of the year in terms of turnovers and mental miscues.

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