What we want to see from the Texas Tech football team vs. Abilene Christian

The Texas Tech football program hopes to get off to a solid start this year by taking down Abilene Christian in Lubbock this evening. Certainly, the expectation is that the 2024 opener will be more manageable than the test Tech failed in the first game of 2023 when the Red Raiders lost to Wyoming in double overtime.

However, the Red Raiders haven't always made easy work of FCS opponents. Sure, the program hasn't lost to a team from the lower level of the sport since falling to North Texas in 1988 but a couple of relatively recent games against FCS teams remind us of the possibility of an upset.

Don't forget that to begin the odd 2020 season, one that was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tech nearly lost to Houston Baptist in Lubbock. In fact, in the 35-33 Red Raider win, the Huskies had a late fourth-quarter two-point conversion opportunity to tie the game.

Six years before that, Davis Webb began his sophomore season as Tech's starting QB and the anticipation was off the charts. However, Tech would narrowly beat Central Arkansas 42-35 to open year two of the Klif Kingsbury era, a season that would see Tech limp to a 4-8 record.

Hopefully, there aren't similar dramatics tonight at Jones Stadium. However, ACU has played some FBS teams respectably in recent years.

Last season, ACU went to Texas A&M and held its own in a 38-10 loss. The year prior, they played at Missouri and fell just 34-17.

Tonight, the Red Raiders plan on dominating the Wildcats but they will have to play a solid game to do so. This isn't a FCS team that will be intimidated by playing in Lubbock. So let's take a look at what we hope to see from the Red Raiders in this game (besides just a big win).

Texas Tech needs to come out of this game healthy

Injuries are a given in just about every football game. However, when playing what should be an overmatched opponent, you always want to avoid catastrophic injuries.

We've seen Tech hit with that reality before when playing an FCS opponent to begin this year. In 2022's 63-10 victory over Murray State, Joey McGuire's debut at Tech, the Red Raiders made it only through the first quarter before starting QB Tyler Shough was lost due to a broken collarbone.

Already this year, North Carolina suffered a similar fate when its starting QB, Max Johnson, broke his leg in the opener against Minnesota on Thursday night. The Texas A&M transfer is now out for the season. Tech fans know all too well what that feels like.

Injuries have defined too many of the last few Texas Tech seasons, mostly at the QB spot. This year, the hope is that Tech can avoid the catastrophic injury, especially in week one when playing an inferior opponent.

Offensive line improvement

Though it is hard to watch the offensive line during a game, there will be a tremendous amount of focus on that group tonight. First of all, we still don't know what the starting five will be.

Second, we all need to see that group, regardless of how it is deployed, dominate the Wildcats. So what should we look for?

First, let's see if there are massive running lanes for Tahj Brooks and the rest of the running backs. If Brooks doesn't have to break a ton of tackles or constantly make defenders miss in order to pick up his yards, it will be a sign that the O-line is doing its job.

Second, of course, we will keep an eye on the pocket Behren Morton has. We know that ACU head coach Keith Patterson, the former Texas Tech defensive coordinator under Matt Wells who will call the defensive plays for the Wildcats tonight, will try to bring plenty of pressure from all over the field. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how well this rebuilt O-line picks that up.

Keep in mind that next week, the Red Raiders face a stiff road test at Washington State. Therefore, the line has only one game to work through its kinks before business picks up in a serious way. So it would be reassuring to see that group dominate ACU tonight.

Texas Tech forces three turnovers or more

Texas Tech defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter wants his group to get at least three takeaways per game. That's a high bar to clear on a weekly basis but it should be attainable against an FCS team.

Last year, Tech forced only 17 takeaways. That's an average of just 1.3 per game. What's more, Tech forced three turnovers in only two games a season ago.

One of those games was against FCS opponent Tarleton State (the other was against Cal in the Independence Bowl) so just getting to three takeaways against a lower-level team doesn't guarantee that your defense will keep up that pace against better opponents. However, it would be a refreshing sign to see this year's defense start out the season by taking the ball away three times or more.

Texas Tech needs to put pressure on the QB

Another area where Tech's defense needs to improve in 2024 is getting after the quarterback. Last year, Tech ranked just 70th nationally averaging a modest 2.08 sacks per game.

In 2023, edge rushers like Myles Cole and Steve Linton failed to live up to the offseason hype and the Red Raiders struggled to impact games by harassing the QB. Those players are now gone and a fresh crop of edge rushers are being given an opportunity to make their mark.

Can guys such as Harvey Dyson, Joseph Adedire, Amier Washington, and Isaac Smith prove to be more effective as a group than the players Tech relied on to rush the passer last fall? That will be one of the keys to the 2024 season.

Last season, against Tarleton State, Tech managed to get only three sacks. This year, let's see if that number can increase against Abilene Christian with a new group of players tasked with getting after the passer.

Texas Tech needs big plays from the wide receivers/tight ends

Finally, let's see how many times Tech's new wide receivers and tight ends can make big plays. That was an area of struggle last year as the Red Raider skill position players lacked big-play ability as a group.

There was a concerted effort to bring more talent at wide receiver and tight end to the roster this offseason. Now it is time for that to pay off for the offense.

Of course, another factor that could help create more big plays is the health of starting QB Behren Morton. Unable to push the ball down the field with much zip last year due to a sprained throwing shoulder, he's back to 100% health and he should be able to deliver the ball with more pace when looking deep.

A season ago, Tech was 82nd nationally at just 5.2 yards per play. Tonight, let's see if the Red Raiders can consistently chew up yards in big chunks. That will be a key all season long and it needs to begin in week one.