Is Texas Tech Going to a Bowl Game?
As the 2022 college football season approaches, fans of Texas Tech University are eagerly anticipating the Red Raiders’ chances of making a bowl game appearance. With a new head coach, Joey McGuire, at the helm, the team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 5-7 record in 2021. In this article, we’ll delve into the factors that will determine whether Texas Tech will be heading to a bowl game this season.
Current Situation
Before we dive into the analysis, let’s take a look at the current situation:
- Coaching Change: Joey McGuire took over as the head coach of Texas Tech in December 2021, replacing Matt Wells. McGuire has a strong track record as an assistant coach, particularly in the Big 12 Conference.
- Returning Players: The Red Raiders have a decent amount of returning players, including quarterback Tyler Shough, wide receiver Erik Ezukanma, and defensive back DaMarcus Fields.
- Recruiting Class: Texas Tech’s 2022 recruiting class is ranked 44th in the country, according to 247Sports. While it’s not a top-25 class, it’s a solid group that should provide some much-needed depth and talent.
Strengths and Weaknesses
To determine whether Texas Tech will make a bowl game, let’s examine their strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths:
- Experience: With a decent amount of returning players, the Red Raiders have some experience on both sides of the ball.
- Passing Game: Tyler Shough is a capable quarterback, and Erik Ezukanma is a talented wide receiver. The duo should be able to put up some big numbers.
- Defensive Line: Texas Tech has a strong defensive line, led by defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings and defensive end Cam’Ron Silmon-Williams.
Weaknesses:
- Rushing Attack: The Red Raiders struggled to establish a consistent rushing attack in 2021, and it’s unclear if they’ll be able to improve in this area.
- Secondary: While DaMarcus Fields is a talented cornerback, the secondary as a whole is a concern. Texas Tech needs to find some consistency and depth in the backfield.
- Special Teams: The Red Raiders struggled on special teams in 2021, particularly in the kicking game. They’ll need to find a reliable kicker and punter to help them win close games.
Schedule Analysis
Texas Tech’s schedule is relatively balanced, with some tough games and some winnable ones:
| Week | Opponent | Location | Time (CT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston | Lubbock, TX | 6:30 PM |
| 2 | Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | 11:00 AM |
| 3 | West Virginia | Morgantown, WV | 2:30 PM |
| 4 | Iowa State | Ames, IA | 11:00 AM |
| 5 | Kansas | Lawrence, KS | 2:30 PM |
| 6 | TCU | Fort Worth, TX | 2:30 PM |
| 7 | Oklahoma State | Stillwater, OK | 2:30 PM |
| 8 | Kansas State | Manhattan, KS | 2:30 PM |
| 9 | Baylor | Waco, TX | 2:30 PM |
| 10 | Texas | Lubbock, TX | 2:30 PM |
| 11 | Oklahoma | Norman, OK | 2:30 PM |
| 12 | West Virginia | Lubbock, TX | 2:30 PM |
Bowl Game Projections
Based on our analysis, here are some bowl game projections for Texas Tech:
| Bowl Game | Opponent | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheez-It Bowl | Ole Miss | Phoenix, AZ | December 29 |
| Liberty Bowl | Arkansas | Memphis, TN | December 28 |
| Armed Forces Bowl | Air Force | Fort Worth, TX | December 22 |
Conclusion
While there are some concerns about Texas Tech’s rushing attack and secondary, the team has some strengths that could help them make a bowl game. With a decent amount of returning players and a solid recruiting class, the Red Raiders should be able to compete in the Big 12 Conference.
Key Takeaways:
- Experience is key: With a decent amount of returning players, Texas Tech has some experience on both sides of the ball.
- Passing game is a strength: Tyler Shough and Erik Ezukanma should be able to put up some big numbers.
- Defensive line is a strength: Jaylon Hutchings and Cam’Ron Silmon-Williams are talented defensive linemen.
- Rushing attack is a concern: Texas Tech needs to establish a consistent rushing attack to take pressure off the passing game.
- Secondary is a concern: The Red Raiders need to find some consistency and depth in the backfield.
Final Verdict
Based on our analysis, we believe that Texas Tech has a good chance of making a bowl game this season. With a decent amount of returning players and a solid recruiting class, the Red Raiders should be able to compete in the Big 12 Conference. While there are some concerns about their rushing attack and secondary, the team has some strengths that could help them win some close games.