Red Raiders feature a surprising defense
The offense has never been much of a concern at Texas Tech.
Kliff Kingsbury helped the Red Raiders consistently field one of the most entertaining and explosive offenses in the Big 12. But for the first time in years, the offense faces questions entering the 2018 season.
Instead, the team likely will lean on its defense until the offense can mature.
The Red Raiders are No. 73 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team.
Tech
7 Texas
Kliff Kingsbury (30-33, entering sixth season; 30-33 overall)
6-7, 3-6 in the Big 12 Conference, finished eighth
Texas Tech bounced back from a disappointing 2016 season by returning to the postseason for the third time in five seasons under Kingsbury. Offensive inefficiency hurt the Red Raiders, whose three conference wins were against Kansas, Baylor and Texas — three teams that posted a combined 9-28 record. NT Mychealon Thomas
OL Jack Anderson, OL Paul Stawarz, OL Terrence Steele, WR Keke Coutee, DT Broderick Washington, Jr., LB Dakota Allen, LB Jordyn Brooks, DB Jah’Shawn Johnson
Texas Tech’s defense improved during coordinator David Gibbs’ third season. Sure, the Red Raiders finished No. 105 in the total defense in 2017, but that’s much better than finishing No. 128 in 2016. The 443 yards per game the unit allowed last season is the lowest average the program has surrenderd since 2013.
With the return of 10 starters, you could argue the unit is trending upward. The secondary returns a couple of second team allconference selections in Jah’Shawn Johnson (97 tackles) and Justus Parker (four interceptions). Linebacker Dakota Allen (102 tackles), who anchors the middle of the defense, was another all-conference pick.
The Red Raiders will have a new face at offensive coordinator this season with the addition of Kevin Johns. He steps in after the departure of Eric Morris, who took a head coaching job after spending three seasons guiding one of the most explosive offenses in the Big 12. Johns inherits a roster devoid of experienced players at the skill positions, including quarterback.
McLane Carter and Jett Duffey are the top contenders for the starting quarterback job.
The receiver position took a massive hit in the offseason with the departure of five of the top six receivers from last season.
For the first time in recent memory, Texas Tech enters a season with a lot of uncertainty on of the offensive side of the football. The Red Raiders may end up fielding one of the best defenses of Kingsbury’s tenure.