The college football weekend has arrived, and it brings the Sam Houston Bearkats to Lubbock for the final non-conference game of the regular season. Given that the Red Raiders have no more ranked teams currently on their schedule, the only way they can impress voters, and more importantly, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, is to start to win big.
Thus far, Tech has been over a touchdown favorite in every game. However, the Red Raiders have yet to actually cover the spread.
Therefore, the prevailing thought around the nation is that this year's Texas Tech team is not the class of the Big 12. Of course, that will eventually play out on the field, but for the remainder of the season, Tech needs to think about not just winning games, but doing so in dominant fashion.
That's why last season's team was so highly ranked entering the playoffs. Tech won 12 of the 13 games prior to the playoffs by double figures and covered the spread in all of those wins.
Now, it is time for the 2026 team to follow suit. Tech needs to have an impressive showing against Sam Houston, which may require the Red Raiders to generate their own energy given that this game is an 11 am Central kickoff and it comes on the heels of one of the most electric games of the Joey McGuire era.
While few people expect drama from this week's matchup, this is an important opportunity for Tech to put together a dominant performance heading into the meat of the Big 12 schedule. So here are three things fans should hope to see from the Red Raiders on Saturday.
Texas Tech needs to hammer Sam Houston on the ground
Texas Tech has been a work in progress in all aspects of the offense so far. One area where improvement is needed is on the ground, where the Red Raiders have yet to assert dominance for an entire game.
The most the Red Raiders have run for in a game this season was the 173 yards they amassed against Abilene Christian in the opener. What's more, Tech is averaging over 20 yards less per game on the ground than last year. That's why it would be fantastic to see if Tech could top the 200-yard mark against Sam Houston.
Sam Houston allowed 177 rushing yards to Troy in week one and 241 to Tulsa in week two. Those are the only two FBS teams they have played, and both had big days on the ground. Tech needs to do the same.
Remember, this week the Red Raiders are starting Cash Cleveland at left guard for the first time. After inserting him into the Houston game, Tech saw its ground game improve dramatically. Can he be the catalyst for more success in the run game moving forward? Regardless of how they do it, Tech needs to find a way to consistently move the ball on the ground starting this week.
Texas Tech needs to start generating turnovers
On defense, the Red Raiders must find a way to start taking the ball away more frequently. In fact, so far this year, Tech has not had multiple takeaways in a game.
Last season's defense was elite at forcing turnovers. Their 32 takeaways led all FBS teams. This year, Tech has only three total takeaways, one in each game.
The Bearkats have done a nice job of protecting the ball through three games. They have turned it over just twice on the season, and their ability to keep the ball away from Tech this week will be a huge factor in how this game plays out.
Tech shouldn't need to win the turnover battle in this game to win on the scoreboard. However, this team needs to get in the habit of taking the ball away so that when the conference grind arrives, the defense can give the offense short fields to work with.
Texas Tech has a team goal of three takeaways per game. If they reach that mark this week, it will double the season total and be a great sign that the Red Raiders are starting to make strides on that side of the ball.
A receiver other than Kenny Johnson needs to have a big day
Finally, this should be a day when the offense looks to take a step forward against an overmatched opponent. Specifically, let's see if a receiver or tight end other than Kenny Johnson can assert his dominance.
This year, Johnson leads the team with 230 yards and 13 catches. No other Red Raider pass catcher has more than 132 receiving yards.
We keep waiting for tight end Terrance Carter Jr. to break out. However, he is questionable to play this week with a sprained AC joint.
Earlier this week, we discussed the struggles of starting wide receiver Micah Hudson, who has only three catches for 44 yards so far. Maybe Tech will make a concerted effort to get him involved early and often this week.
Tech can't win a Big 12 championship with just one playmaker in the passing game. Carter, Hudson, Coy Eakin, or someone else has to become a feared second option, or defenses will start to focus all their energy on taking Johnson away. This week, let's see if Tech can find someone to step up opposite of Johnson and make this passing attack more versatile.
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