Today, Texas Tech returns to Colorado for the first time in 16 years when the Red Raiders take on the Buffaloes at 6:30 pm Central on FOX. It will be the second time that the teams have met since Colorado rejoined the Big 12.
Hopefully, things are different tonight than they were in 2024. Two seasons ago, Tech had the inside track on a Big 12 title game appearance when the Buffs traveled to Lubbock.
However, Colorado's star power overmatched the Red Raiders as Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter starred in a 41-27 Buffaloes win. In hindsight, though, that might have been the most beneficial loss in Texas Tech football history.
That's because, following that frustrating game, one in which QB Behren Morton was sacked seven times, a Texas Tech fan angrily reached out to booster Cody Campbell on X, telling him to buy the Red Raiders and offensive line. Campbell's two-word reply of "I will" is now part of Tech football lore, and certainly, since that game, the billionaire has done more than just buy an offensive line for his alma mater.
Tonight, the Red Raiders enter this game as almost a two-touchdown favorite. So hopefully, the progress the program has made since that awful night in Lubbock two seasons ago is evident. If the Red Raiders are going to move to 5-0 on the season, here's what they need to do.
Texas Tech must protect the ball
One doesn't have to be a football savant to know that limiting turnovers is crucial in any game. However, that's going to be especially important for the Red Raiders tonight.
Colorado is struggling on offense. They have not scored more than 14 points in a game against an FBS opponent this season. What's more, they are changing quarterbacks this week, with Isaac Wilson replacing Julian Lewis.
Therefore, the Red Raiders can't help the Colorado offense out by giving the Buffs great field position or, even worse, defensive scores. Tech must make Colorado earn every point they put on the board.
Both of these teams enter this game with a -2 turnover margin. That ranks 96th in the nation. So the winner of this game will likely be the team that figures out a way to protect the ball.
Texas Tech must make Colorado one dimensional on offense
With a new starting QB for Colorado, Tech has to put the game on his shoulders. That means stopping the Colorado ground game and making the Buffaloes one-dimensional.
So far this season, Colorado is running the ball 39.8 times per game on average while throwing it just 33.3 times per game. However, Colorado's 156.5 rushing yards per game are good for just 76th nationally.
In Colorado's lone win this year over an FBS team, they ran for 183 yards against Georgia Tech. They also gained 180 on the ground against Northwestern.
Tonight, expect the Buffs to try to protect Wilson a bit in his first career start. Though Colorado has dynamic receivers, they have largely relied on the short passing game and their rushing attack to move the ball. That could change with a new QB in the mix, but regardless of who takes the snaps for Colorado, Tech must make the Buffs try to win this game through the air.
Texas Tech needs to control the clock
Time of possession can be a misleading stat. However, when playing at over a mile in altitude as Tech will tonight, it can be worth monitoring.
Tonight, the Red Raiders need to control the clock to keep the defense fresh. That doesn't mean just sitting on the ball and draining the play clock prior to every snap. But it does mean that offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich must consider the state of his defense when calling plays.
Colorado runs what they call the "Go-Go" offense. It is an extremely high-tempo scheme designed to stress the defense by having two running backs in the shotgun with the QB and running a lot of misdirection. The system has been referred to as "basketball on grass", and when it is properly executed, it can take the wind out of a defense, especially when playing at the base of the Rocky Mountains.
This year, Tech has not really cared much about controlling the clock. The Red Raiders rank 110th nationally in time of possession at just 28:14 per game.
Tonight, though, it would be smart for the Red Raiders to find a way to run the ball, keep the defense on the sidelines, and manage the clock. If that happens, then the scoreboard will likely go their way at the end of this Big 12 contest.
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