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Texas Tech football: Where the Red Raiders may have an edge over BYU

By Matthew Conner

Oct 14, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) in action during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Brigham Young Cougars at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) in action during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Brigham Young Cougars at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 16, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) passes during the fourth quarter against the BYU Cougars at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. BYU won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) passes during the fourth quarter against the BYU Cougars at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. BYU won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

BYU’s pass rush is even worse than Texas Tech’s

On the other side of the ball, Tech fans should be encouraged by the fact that the Cougars are dreadful when it comes to rushing the passer.  In fact, that is another area in which they are worst in the conference.

With only seven total sacks this year, BYU averages just 1.17 sacks per game.  That’s 110th in the NCAA.

In case you might be thinking that the low number of sacks is because teams are not throwing the ball on BYU, that isn’t the case.  The Cougars are getting to the QB on only 3.6% of the opposition’s pass attempts.  That’s 121st in the nation.

So when the BYU pass rush goes up against the Red Raider offensive line, it will be a meeting of a moveable object against a resistible force.

Allowing 2.29 sacks per game, Tech is second-worst in the Big 12.  Also, the 16 sacks the Red Raiders have surrendered are second-most in the conference.  That’s disappointing given that the focus of the offense since Tyler Shough was lost has been to run the ball.

Again, Tech is likely going to be motivated to try to throw the ball against a bad BYU secondary.  Will the offensive line be up to the task though?

Against Baylor and Houston, the two worst pass rush teams in the conference outside of BYU, Tech gave up a total of just two sacks on 41 pass attempts.  This might be a game where Tech is forced to throw the ball that many times, especially if BYU makes it hard to run the ball, and it will be interesting to see if a Tech O-line that struggles in pass protection can keep the worst pass rush in the Big 12 at bay.

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