I don’t think many people expect the Texas Tech Red Raiders to have the best run defense in college football. I just don’t think that’s something that people tend to bet on. But it’s the case right now as the Red Raiders get set to compete in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals round against the Oregon Ducks.
There are a ton of really impressive run defenses across the country. There’s a really strong collection of really solid run defenses that made it to the College Football Playoff and are still competing in it.
And Texas Tech is currently better than all of them. That’s pretty cool to be able to say given the history of this program and what we’ve seen from the Red Raiders for much of the past 25 years or so.
Texas Tech leads the remaining College Football Playoff contenders in run defense as the Red Raiders get set for the Orange Bowl
Here’s where Texas Tech stands among the eight teams left competing in the College Football Playoff as the Red Raiders lead the way in rushing defense:
- Texas Tech Red Raiders - 68.5 rushing yards per game - No. 1 overall
- Indiana Hoosiers - 77.6 rushing yards per game - No. 3 overall
- Georgia Bulldogs - 79.2 rushing yards per game - No. 4 overall
- Ohio State Buckeyes - 84.5 rushing yards per game - No. 5 overall
- Miami Hurricanes - 87 rushing yards per game - No. 7 overall
- Oregon Ducks - 113.3 rushing yards per game - No. 22 overall
- Alabama Crimson Tide - 120.6 rushing yards per game - No. 28 overall
- Ole Miss Rebels - 147.8 rushing yards per game - No. 69 overall
There’s a rather significant bump from where the Miami Hurricanes sit and the Oregon Ducks, but there’s really a drastic leap from where the Alabama Crimson Tide are and where the Ole Miss Rebels land here in rushing defense. And if you’re going from where Texas Tech is to where Ole Miss is? I mean, that’s a rather large jump.
It’ll be intriguing to see how the Red Raiders match up with Oregon’s offense as the Ducks do run the ball well. I’m sure that we’ll see Oregon end up with a few more rushing yards than what Texas Tech has averaged for much of the season, but I’m curious to see what that total ends up being in the Orange Bowl.