Texas Longhorns Week 4 Opponent Preview: Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Texas Longhorns will open up Big 12 Conference play against arch-rival Texas Tech. Joey McGuire, the new head coach of the Red Raiders, will be looking to build off the win over Houston in Week 2. The game should certainly provide plenty of fireworks just like last year's 70-35 barn burner win by the Longhorns.
The Red Raiders are experiencing a lot of turnover in their program as they only return two offensive linemen from last year's squad. Texas Tech is led by sophomore quarterback Donovan Smith. The offense remains explosive as Smith threw for a season-high 350 yards against Houston. The backfield remains talented with dual running backs Tahj Brooks and SaRodorick Thompson who combined for 1,068 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.
So far this season the Red Raiders have been inconsistent through three weeks. Last week the offense struggled to score against NC State as they lost 27-14 on the road. New coach Joey McGuire is trying to improve a unit that gave up an average of 30 points and over 400 yards a game in 2021. The key will be improving the secondary which allowed 268 passing yards per game and ranked last in the Big 12.
Texas Tech, like the Longhorns, has already been battle-tested. The Red Raiders have already faced Houston and traveled to NC State. Coach McGuire’s squad is currently 4-point underdogs.
September 24th will mark the 72nd all-time meeting between the schools with the series heavily favoring the Longhorns by a 54-17 margin.
Be sure to stick to LonghornCountry.com as we preview all angles of the matchup with the Red Raiders throughout the week.
2022 Record: 2-1
Head Coach: Joey McGuire
McGuire is currently 2-1 in his coaching debut.
Offensive Set: Air Raid
Defensive Set: 3-3-5 and 3-4
Returning Starters on Offense: 5
The Red Raiders run an air raid offense for a reason, averaging 30.3 points per game in 2021.
Projected Starters on Offense:
QB: Donovan Smith
RB: SaRodorick Thompson
WR (X): J.J. Sparkman
WR (Z): Loic Fouonji
WR (H): Myles Price
TE: Baylor Cupp
LT: Caleb Rogers
LG: Weston Wright
OC: Cade Briggs
RG: Landon Peterson
RT: Monroe Mills
Returning Starters on Defense: 5
The Red Raiders ranked 7th in the Big 12, allowing 30.2 points per game in 2021.
Projected Starters on Defense:
Edge: Tyree Wilson
NT: Jaylon Hutchings
DT: Phillip Blidi
LB (SAM): Josiah Pierre
LB (MIKE): Krishon Merriweather
LB (WILL): Dimitri Moore
SPUR: Reggie Pearson JR.
CB: Adrian Frye
S: Dadrion Traylor-Demerson
S: Marquis Waters
CB: Malik Dunlap
You can follow Adam Glick on Twitter @adamglick39
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