Texas Tech football: The Red Raiders must neutralize these Baylor Bears this weekend

RB Richard Reese torched Texas Tech in 2022

Baylor head coach Dave Aranda might have coached under Mike Leach in Lubbock in the 2000s but his philosophy of offense is not rooted in the “Air Raid” system.  After all, Aranda is a defensive-minded coach who was the LSU defensive coordinator before taking over in Waco.

That’s why Aranda and his coaching staff want to rely on the ground game and the defense to control games.  When that happens, they usually turn to explosive sophomore Richard Reese to do the heavy lifting.

The 5-foot-9, 179-pound product of Bellville, Texas is a speedy back who has six career games in which he’s averaged over 6.0 yards per carry.  While he didn’t hit that mark last year against the Red Raiders, he did have a big day in Lubbock.

Posting 148 yards and three TDs on a career-high 36 carries, he was Baylor’s main offensive weapon as they handed Tech its only home loss of McGuire’s debut season.  That was one of four 100-yard games he’s had in 18 career appearances as a collegiate.

This year, though, Reese has not been as effective.  With only 45 rushes so far, he’s put up 225 yards and two TDs as his workload has been rather light.  Interestingly, he’s yet to find the endzone against an FBS team.

Last week, though, it appeared that Baylor rediscovered what Reese can bring to the offense.  He had his first 100-yard game of the year on just 16 carries, both season highs.

One has to wonder if his slow start was due to Shapen’s absence.  With Baylor missing its starting QB, defenses were likely able to key on slowing Reese.  However, even in the games Shapen missed, he averaged only 7.3 carries.  Expect more for him this weekend as the Bears likely try to replicate the formula that worked so well last year against the Red Raiders.