Booth Breakdown: A far-out look at the Texas Tech Red Raiders

By Conner Becker     Aug 11, 2023

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Kansas quarterback Jason Bean (9) runs the ball against Texas Tech defensive back Rayshad Williams (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)

This preview is the 10th of a 12-part series previewing the upcoming KU football schedule.

Texas Tech, like Kansas, is yet another Big 12 Conference program hoping to capitalize on the league’s realignment that saw four new schools joining the mix this season and four more slated to climb aboard in 2024.

But unlike KU, the Red Raiders and second-year head coach Joey McGuire are rolling off a higher-level 8-5 (5-4 Big 12) campaign that brought renewed confidence to football fans in Lubbock. That same team bested the Jayhawks last November, too, rolling away from KU 43-28 late following a dicey second quarter.

Factor in a proven offensive coordinator in Zach Kittley and returning quarterback Tyler Shough, who compiled 106 completions for 1,304 passing yards and seven touchdowns in five starts last season, and McGuire’s squad instantly becomes a legitimate contender.

Sweetening the deal is returning senior running back Tahj Brooks, who led the team with 147 carries for 691 yards and seven touchdowns. In the receiver’s room, leading target Jerand Bradley, who’s just a sophomore, will continue to grow after setting the bar with 51 receptions for 744 yards and six scores last season.

A year ago, the Red Raiders put together the conference’s second-best scoring offense — 34.2 points per game — while dealing with injuries and other difficulties on the offensive line. Tasked with bolstering the trenches this year will be super-senior linemen Dennis Wilburn and Cole Spencer, seniors Landon Peterson and Caleb Rogers, and Western Kentucky transfer Rusty Staats.

Even despite its woes up front, Texas Tech converted 33 fourth-down attempts last season, finishing 16th across Football Bowl Subdivision play.

The other side of the ball provides more confidence, with six returning staters slated to make up the TTU defense this fall. Among those names is fifth-year defensive back Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, the team’s third-best tackler from last season (74).

The defensive line, which returns two key players in Jaylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford, will be tasked with maintaining its title as the conference’s sack leader from a year ago. Hutchings and Bradford were responsible for seven of the team’s Big 12-best 31 sacks in 2022.

With depth on both sides of the football, Texas Tech has the potential to open the season in a big way. Following a Week 1 road trip to Wyoming, the Red Raiders will host recent Big Ten Conference commit Oregon for its home opener — a nationally televised opportunity to showcase their prowess.

Historically, Texas Tech leads the all-time series with KU 22-2. The Jayhawks last defeated the Red Raiders on a late field goal, 37-34, back in 2019.

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Written By Conner Becker

Conner covers high school sports and more for the Journal-World.