Texas Tech A Legit Big 12 Contender?

Oct 13, 2012; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Seth Doege (7) passes during the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Jones AT

National honors came pouring in for Texas Tech on Monday in the wake of its 49-14 rout of Big 12 opponent West Virginia. The Red Raiders were named the FWAA Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Team of the Week, and quarterback Seth Doege was recognized as the Davey O’Brien Award Quarterback of the Week. With its win over West Virginia, and a Week 5 defeat of Iowa State, Texas Tech has two wins over the initial BCS top 25. Does that translate to Texas Tech being a legit contender in the Big 12 title race?

The Red Raider defense’s initially impressive start could have easily been dismissed as a fluke after Oklahoma roughed it up in Week 6, but Saturday’s performance suggests that was more of a pothole than the end of the road. The Tech defense showed up and then some, frustrating Geno Smith to his worst game of 2012.

Heisman discussion was focused solely on Smith coming in, but Doege looked every bit the part of Heisman contender with his six touchdown passes. He now ranks second in that category nationally with 21, four behind Smith. Prolific quarterback production is a defining characteristic around the Big 12, and so far Doege is among the conference’s best. He’s completing almost 71 percent of his attempts and is just shy of 1900 yards. The one statistic that doesn’t scream Heisman is seven interceptions. A 3:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio is healthy, but could prove costly in the Big 12 title race.

With so many efficient offenses — seven of 10 Big 12 members rank No. 16 or better in points averaged — the determining factor for league supremacy will be which team can capitalize defensively just enough. Takeaways are killers, which Oklahoma learned in its loss to Kansas State and Tech experienced when Doege threw three of his picks against OU.

Conversely, is the Tech defense capable of making those necessary plays? On Saturday it certainly was. Is that the real Tech defense, or the version that surrendered 41 points to Oklahoma? Defensive end Kerry Hyder is quickly establishing himself as one of the premiere players in the conference. Tech will need his pass rushing ability to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks and force them out of their comfort zones, as the Red Raiders did so effectively against Smith.

Tech faces an important stretch with road games at TCU and Kansas State the next two weeks, then return home for Texas. Those contests will define the Red Raiders either as legit Big 12 contenders, or possibly send them on a road akin to last season when they struggled to one of the worst finishes in the FBS.