TCU Football Week 10 Opponent Preview: Texas Tech Red Raiders
The TCU Horned Frogs (4-4, 2-3 Big 12) come off a much-needed bye week after taking their lumps against Kansas State. But the bye week is cut short thanks to a Thursday night matchup at the Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-5, 2-3) in Week 10. The season sits on a fulcrum, with four tough matchups in store and TCU needing to at least split those matches to become bowl eligible.
TCU at Texas Tech kicks off Thursday, Nov. 2, at 6:00 p.m. CT at Jones AT&T Stadium. Catch the game on FS1 or on the radio at 88.7 FM KTCU.
Oct 14, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) rolls out to pass against the Brigham Young Cougars during the game at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Tech vs. TCU Series History
Perhaps Horned Frog fans recall the last time these two played on a Thursday night. Texas Tech bested TCU just 17-14 in Fort Worth during the 2018 season. The Frogs were favored in the game, one that was quite a shock to the Big 12.
The rivalry dates much further back than that, however. First meeting in 1926, the two nearly split the series dead even, with Tech holding a slim 32-30-3 advantage. TCU got off to a 5-0 head start, and re-took control of the series after joining the Big 12. But for much of the 1970s-90s, Tech owned the rivalry.
A 63-7 demolition of TCU in 1985 was bested by a lucrative 82-27 blowout in 2014. Since joining the Big 12, TCU owns a 7-4 lead in the series and has won the last four games (the last loss being that 17-14 slap fight in 2018).
Oct 25, 2014; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) throws during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Tech Players To Note
Texas Tech has had a rough go of the injury bug in their quarterback room dating back to last season. Preseason starter Tyler Shough broke his leg in September and is out for the remainder of the season. Replacement Behren Morton appeared on this week's injury report, although he did return to a full practice Sunday. Linebacker and defensive leader Jacob Rodriguez anticipates playing his first game of the year against the Frogs.
Running back Tahj Brooks has the third-most rushing yards in the Big 12 (896) and has found the end zone six times; he also leads the league in rush attempts (162). The junior is one of the most elusive backs not just in the conference, but in the country, forcing 53 missed tackles this year (fifth-most).
The receiving production has been split three ways between Myles Price (331 yards), Jerand Bradley (319), and Xavier White (317). The 6-foot-5 Bradley garners the most excitement and even landed on the Preseason All-Big 12 roster. Price and Bradley both have four touchdowns apiece.
The defensive front is made up of experienced veterans, namely Jaylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford Jr. However, a pair of transfers – Myles Cole (ULM) and Steve Linton (Syracuse) – lead the room in sacks with seven combined. Corner Malik Dunlap has picked off three passes on the season, although all three of those game in Weeks 3-4.
Safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is one of the better all-around players on Tech's roster. He co-leads the team with 41 tackles from the slot/free safety position and allows just a 65.4 passer rating when targeted this year.
Oct 7, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton (2) hands the ball off to Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Sizing Up The Red Raiders
It's fair to say Texas Tech has fallen short of expectations so far this year. That began back in Week 1, when the Red Raiders lost a thriller as two-touchdown favorites at Wyoming. The bad luck carried over into the next week when they nearly beat Oregon, but dropped another thriller late. Tech also has an ugly loss at BYU on the resume.
So, what's been the issue? The offense? The defense?
Yes.
In their first two contests (and the first half of their Week 5 matchup with Houston), the defense was porous, allowing 101 points in those 10 quarters. But in a loss to West Virginia, the offense managed just 13 points. On both sides of the ball, Tech does barely under the necessity to win games. As a result, they're below .500 and have a very difficult route to bowl eligibility.
But their biggest advantage in this game is home field advantage. Jones AT&T Stadium after dark is a notoriously difficult environment to play in, especially against an in-conference rival like TCU. With TCU coming off a demoralizing 41-3 loss to Kansas State, the Frogs will need to shut the crowd down early, or they'll find themselves in a precarious position.
Oct 14, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire and wife Debbie after the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent Rundown
Team: Texas Tech Red Raiders
Record: 3-5 (2-3 Big 12)
Coach: Joey McGuire (2nd season)
Scoring Offense: 28.4 points per game (52nd)
Scoring Defense: 28.6 points allowed per game (81st)
Texas Tech 2023 Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
Sept. 2 | at Wyoming | L 35-33 (2OT) |
Sept. 9 | Oregon | L 38-30 |
Sept. 16 | Tarleton State (FCS) | W 41-3 |
Sept. 23 | at West Virginia | L 20-13 |
Sept. 30 | Houston | W 49-28 |
Oct. 7 | at Baylor | W 39-14 |
Oct. 14 | Kansas State | L 38-21 |
Oct. 21 | at BYU | L 27-14 |
Oct. 28 | BYE | |
Nov. 2 | TCU | |
Nov. 11 | at Kansas | |
Nov. 18 | UCF | |
Nov. 24 | at Texas |
TCU vs. Texas Tech Game Info
- When: Thursday, Nov. 2, 6:00 p.m. CT
- Where: Jones AT&T Stadium (Lubbock, TX)
- TV: FS1
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