Countdown to Kickoff Day 28: #23 Texas Tech Red Raiders

The Red Raiders are looking to pick up right where they left off from last year, and they will be able to do so because they are bringing back most of their starters from 2022. Joey McGuire’s boys won their last four games last season, with the fourth being a bowl win against Ole Miss.

Texas Tech hasn’t necessarily had the best resumé in college football history. Tjhey have won ONE outright conference championship since 1954, only have nine winning seasons in the Big 12 in their 27 years in the conference, and they have never played in the Big 12 championship game.

“Trey what about the magical season in 2008 when Michael Crabtree….” not so fast my friend. Yes that season and that game against Texas was one to remember, but Oklahoma and Missouri met in the championship game while the TTU faithful dreamt of a NY6 bowl bid. They ended up receiving that invitation only to get stomped by Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl.

This isn’t meant to be a history lesson for you guys, nor a reminder of misery for Texas Tech fane. My point is this team and their fan base are starving. Can McGuire and his veteran squad change the tide in Lubbock? I believe they can. The problem is the Big 12 is absolutely stacked and there literally aren’t any “free” wins for them once they enter conference play. I think the whole conference will beat up on each other like they do in basketball and the two teams who meet in Arlington for the championship will be 8-4 and 9-3.

The Red Raiders will happily welcome back QB Tyler Shough, star WR Jerand Bradley, the majority of their offensive line, and 6 members of their defense this year. Their defense and O-line were the weakness for this team last year but experience proves to be key year in and year out in college football so I expect no different this year.

Prediction: 8-4.

How Many Games Will TTU Win This Year?

• 8 or more
• 7 or less