Texas Tech football: Houston Cougars that could be problems for Tech

Sam Brown could test the Texas Tech secondary

Houston doesn’t have a dynamic passing attack, due in large part to Smith’s limitations as a passer.  However, former West Virginia transfer Sam Brown is a receiver that Texas Tech will need to keep a lid on.

Last year, the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder caught 41 passes for 471 yards and four TDs in 11 games.  Through four games this year, he’s well on his way to shattering those numbers.

Already with 405 yards on 24 catches, he’s averaging 16.9 yards per grab.  However, he is yet to find the endzone this season.

Last year, Brown was most known for a late-season incident where he was caught on camera slapping an opposing player.  Following a 37-30 loss to Tulsa, Brown struck Bryson Powers in the face and then walked away.

What’s more, earlier last season, Brown and a teammate, Joseph Manjack IV got into an altercation on the sideline during a loss to Kansas that saw Manjack shove Brown to the ground while Brown grabbed Manjack by the facemask.

Those two remain teammates this year and so far, no incidents have been brought to light.  What has been notable, though, is Brown’s game.

He began the year with back-to-back 100-yard performances.  Then, against TCU, he fell just short of that mark with 99 yards on just five catches.

So far, Tech has been stout against the pass.  Allowing just 201 yards per game through the air, the Red Raiders are 4th-best in the conference.

That is surprising given that the pass rush has been fairly nonexistent this year.  It’s a testament to the Red Raider secondary but that group could be tested by Brown this weekend.  He ranks second in the Big 12 in receptions and yards per game and he will be the focal point of Houston’s aerial gameplan.