Texas Tech Week Four: Conference Championship Preview?

Is The Red Raider Offensive Line Ready?

Texas Tech offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich has made an immediate impact on this offense. Currently, the Red Raiders lead the country in points per game, averaging 58 points in their first three games. Veteran quarterback Behren Morton has been outstanding. In just under seven quarters of football in his three starts, Morton has thrown for 923 yards, 11 touchdowns, and completed over 70% of his passes. He has been very successful, in large part, because this new offensive line has kept Morton clean. In a blowout win over Oregon State, Morton was finally sacked for the first time all season. But even in suffering the first sack of the season, he has not dealt with much pressure when in the pocket. That is undoubtedly changing this week. Utah’s defense has always been the calling card of Kyle Whittingham’s tenure as the Utes’ head coach. Even last year, when they went 5-7, they still did not allow more than 21 points per game on defense. The defense front is headlined this year by John Henry Daley. Through three games, he has six-and-a-half TFLs, five sacks, and one forced fumble. Ask Nico Iamaleava how it feels to be pressured on nearly two-thirds of your pass attempts when facing Utah. The Red Raiders’ ability to keep Morton upright will decide this game. If the Red Raiders’ offensive line performs well, allowing this offense to score at least 35 points, Utah will struggle to keep up.

Texas Tech Week Four Prediction

This game isn’t for the casual football fan. But don’t shoo them away if they happen to be watching with you. Back in August, Last Word gave their Big 12 championship prediction involving these two teams. The loser of this game still will find a way back into contention quickly. But who is going to earn the early jump on a spot in the title game? The talent of Utah’s offensive line against the front seven of Shiel Wood’s defense is a push. Utah having a dual-threat quarterback means he will make some plays with his legs. But the Red Raider defense will create its own big plays via the pressures on the quarterback and force one or two turnovers. As mentioned earlier, this game rests solely on the Texas Tech offensive line’s ability to handle elite pressure. This is the moment that Texas Tech has been building to prior to the 2024 season. Texas Tech has a chance to notch its most significant victory since 2008. McGuire and this team are ready to meet the moment. Texas Tech orchestrates an 11-play drive in the fourth quarter that ends with a go-ahead touchdown with two minutes left. The Red Raider defense then closes it out as Romello Height sacks Dampier on fourth down to end any last-second comeback efforts. Texas Tech 27, Utah 21 Main Photo: Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images