Texas Tech Football: 5 Reasons the Red Raiders beat USF in Birmingham Bowl
By Shelbie Warr
3. Strength of schedule favors the Red Raiders, heavily
Yes, the South Florida Bulls are 9-2 on the season. Their two losses come to UCF and Houston, although both were very close matchups. Texas Tech is 6-6 and is looking for a winning season. Those numbers, at a glance, don’t bode well for the Red Raiders.
However, Texas Tech sits at number 30 in terms of their strength of schedule, facing the likes of Oklahoma, TCU and Oklahoma State year in and year out. USF sits at 91, over 60 spots below the Red Raiders. Of course, USF comes from the Group of Five while Texas Tech comes from the Power Five. The difference in strength of schedule is to be expected. However, I think these numbers work in Tech’s favor on Saturday night.
Their experience this season against tougher opponents will show on the field and bring Texas Tech a bowl victory they so desperately need as they fight for a record above .500 on the season. While the Raiders were getting battered around the Big 12, they got better each week. They played against teams who were playoff contenders, who have a Heisman trophy winner, who were consistently ranked throughout the season. That is more than USF can say and that experience will bode well for the Red Raiders.