Three statistical areas where Texas Tech football must improve in 2024 season

Texas Tech must be better on defense on third downs

Getting off of the field on third down is the key for any defense. (Though the proclivity of teams to go for it on fourth down these days has lessened that a bit.) That's another area where Tech was not good in 2023.

Ranking just 91st nationally and 9th in the Big 12, the Red Raiders let teams covert on 41.4% of their third down opportunities last season. That's a good way to get beat.

For example, Oregon was 10-18 against the Red Raiders on 3rd down in their 38-30 win in Lubbock. That day, the Ducks picked up seven third-down conversions on their six scoring drives.

What is worrisome is that the Red Raider defense won't be as experienced in 2024. It will be replacing most of the secondary and all of the starters from the defensive line. So it is fair to wonder if that unit will be any better on the game's most critical down. Texas Tech fans hope so because there is a need for improvement in that essential element of the game.