RED RAIDERS

National Forecast: 28 • Big 12 Prediction: 5 • Projected Record: 7-5, 5-4 Big 12

OFFENSE Coordinator Zach Kittley’s offense is set for a tremendous jump in 2023 following the success of 2022. The Red Raiders are coming off a season in which they finished with the second-best offense in the Big 12 (461.4 yards per game). They were also fourth in the Big 12 in scoring offense, averaging 34.2 points.

What plagued the Red Raiders the most last season was inconsistency on the offensive line, the result of both injuries and lackluster play. The O-line gets a boost with the addition of WKU transfer center Rusty Staats.

Expect Tech to continue to be aggressive through all four downs when it has the ball. The Red Raiders finished with the most fourth-down attempts (52) in FBS, converting 33 of those to rank 16th in conversion percentage (.635). With fifth-year senior Tyler Shough back at the helm and the likely opening-week starter at quarterback, there’s a lot to be excited about on the offensive side of the ball for the Red Raiders.

DEFENSE The word that most defines Tech’s defense in 2023? Experience. The Red Raiders are returning six starters, along with several other players who contributed meaningful snaps in 2022. The Red Raiders led the Big 12 in sacks (31) and had the ninth-best red zone defense in all of FBS last season. Those are major steps forward for a program that has been known for years for its subpar defenses.

The defensive line will continue to be a force with the return of fifth-year seniors Jaylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford Jr., who combined for 82 tackles and seven sacks last season. The big question mark remains how the team will fare without the contributions of Day 1 NFL Draft talent Tyree Wilson at edge rusher.

Though Tech was not statistically impressive in many categories last season, there is a sense building in Lubbock that the defense in 2023 could be vastly better.

SPECIALISTS The specialist room is where things get interesting for the Red Raiders in 2023. Tech is fortunate enough to once again have the services of Austin McNamara, considered the top punter in program history. McNamara enjoyed his fourth straight season with a 44-plus-yard average. Where it gets tricky for the Red Raiders is in the placekicker department. While senior Gino Garcia is the favorite to receive the nod, his job is not secure with two younger faces (Gabe Showalter, Stone Harrington) also in the running for the role. Trey Wolff’s kicking abilities kept Tech in several games in 2022, so there are big shoes to fill there.

FINAL ANALYSIS There’s confidence brewing in Lubbock. Second-year head coach Joey McGuire has Red Raider Nation believing once again after an 8-5 debut campaign, and 2023 will be a telling season about the future of the Texas Tech football program.

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Tyler Shough, 177-106-1,304-4, 7 TDs • Rushing: Tahj Brooks, 147 att., 691 yds., 7 TDs Receiving: Jerand Bradley, 51 rec., 744 yds., 6 TDs • Tackles: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, 74 Sacks: Tony Bradford Jr., 5.5 • Interceptions: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, 3