Texas Tech will look to RB Tahj Brooks to set the tone
Last week, though it was against lowly Tarleton, Kittley may have rediscovered his love for running the football with Tahj Brooks who had 158 yards on 19 carries. This week, Brooks will help Tech set the tone and match WVU’s physicality because this is the type of game he is built for.
In 2022, Brooks had 107 yards and two TDs on 17 carries as Tech throttled WVU 48-10. Prior to the Tarleton game, that was his only 100-yard rushing performance as a collegiate.
This week, he could very well get his third. Now, WVU is allowing only 93 yards per game on the ground so it won’t be easy.
However, I expect Tech’s passing attack to be such a big threat to the Mountaineer secondary that Brown’s team will dedicate more resources to slowing the Red Raider receivers. That could open up more opportunities for Brooks to chew up yards on the ground.
When playing on the road in a stadium that will be full of hatred and energy, it is wise to rely on your powerful, reliable, rugged senior running back to set the tone and let the home team know that you have come to bring the fight. Brooks is a perfect player to do that for the Red Raiders.
Look for Tech to try to jump out early via Shough’s right arm and then control the game with Brooks’ legs. Hopefully, Kittley enjoyed what he saw from Brooks last week because this offense is so much more efficient when Shough doesn’t have to be the centerpiece of the ground attack as well as the aerial assault. That’s why Brooks should see a heavy workload today.