Wreck'Em Red
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Texas Tech football: Statistical categories to watch as Red Raiders visit Baylor

By Matthew Conner

Nov 27, 2021; Waco, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) is tackled by Baylor Bears defensive tackle Cole Maxwell (96) during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Waco, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) is tackled by Baylor Bears defensive tackle Cole Maxwell (96) during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 29: Linebacker Matt Jones #2 and defensive lineman Brayden Utley #54 of the Baylor Bears sack quarterback Behren Morton #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half of the game at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 29: Linebacker Matt Jones #2 and defensive lineman Brayden Utley #54 of the Baylor Bears sack quarterback Behren Morton #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half of the game at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Both Texas Tech and Baylor give up a lot of sacks

Though we can expect both of these teams to run the ball quite a bit on Saturday, what happens when the quarterbacks drop back to pass could be where the game is won or lost.  That’s because neither Tech nor Baylor is very good at protecting the quarterback.

The Bears give up the third-most sacks per game of any team in the conference, 2.4.  Unfortunately, the Red Raiders have been worse by giving up 2.6 per game, second-most ahead of only Houston.

On the other hand, neither of these teams has a dominating pass rush.  Baylor’s 2.2 sacks per game rank only 8th in the Big 12.  However, Tech’s 1.6 per game is tied for second-fewest in the league with OU and Iowa State and ahead of only BYU.

If either team is able to get to the QB with regularity in this contest, it will be a huge factor.  Though this will mark the halfway point of the season for both teams, no player on either roster has more than the 2.5 sacks that Tech DT Jaylon Hutchings has registered thus far.

Baylor does have three players with 2.0 sacks, linebacker Matt Jones, defensive end TJ Franklin, and outside LB Byron Vaughns.  Meanwhile, the only other Red Raider with over one sack this year is defensive end Myles Cole.

It would be encouraging to see Red Raiders such as Steve Linton or Joseph Adedire finally live up to the offseason hype and find a way to get after the QB in this game given how poor the Baylor offensive line has proven to be in pass protection.  But however it happens, Tech needs to find a way to have an edge in regard to sacks this week.

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