Texas Tech football: Houston Cougars that could be problems for Tech
Texas Tech QB Behren Morton must be aware of Malik Fleming
Interceptions have been a problem for Tech this year with Tyler Shough throwing four and Behren Morton throwing another. What’s more, Morton threw six INTs last year on just 169 passes.
Saturday, the new Red Raider starting QB has to be aware of Houston defensive back Malik Fleming. Already with three picks on the year, the 5-foot-10, 187-pound corner is going to try to get his hands on the ball again this weekend.
A transfer from East Carolina, the senior arrived already with six interceptions to his name. He was also a second-team All-AAC honoree in 2022.
"“Malik Fleming, I didn’t hand pick him,” Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen said. “It was his decision to come here. But watching him for the last two years, nobody covered [former Houston receiver] Tank Dell better than he did. He’s got a lot of experience and played almost 3,000 snaps in college. We knew we needed some help at DB.”"
In his Houston debut, he snagged two picks, and two weeks later, he hauled in another against TCU. He is pacing a Cougar defense that has six picks on the year, tied for second-most in the Big 12.
However, Fleming is small. That’s not great for him if he gets matchup up with 6-foot-6 Texas Tech wide receiver Jerand Bradley. If that matchup presents itself, Bradley has to win out as he did against a smaller corner last week for Tech’s only TD against West Virginia.
Regardless, of who Fleming covers, it will be imperative that Morton protects the football on Saturday. The Cougars are second in the Big 12 with a turnover margin of +1.5 per game. Already, they have taken the ball away nine times.
Morton is known for being a gunslinger and the coaching staff likely doesn’t want to stifle that part of his game entirely. It’s what makes him potentially special.
However, he has to be careful with the ball as well. He must be patient and make certain that he is making a smart throw, especially when looking Fleming’s way. If he can do that, the offense should be able to take advantage of a suspect Houston defense.