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Texas Tech Football: Can QB upgrade get Red Raiders back to bowl?

By Chris Peterson

WACO, TEXAS - OCTOBER 12: Head coach Matt Wells of the Texas Tech Red Raiders on the sidelines during the game against the Baylor Bears on October 12, 2019 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
WACO, TEXAS - OCTOBER 12: Head coach Matt Wells of the Texas Tech Red Raiders on the sidelines during the game against the Baylor Bears on October 12, 2019 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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Texas Tech football hasn’t reached the postseason since 2017, but with a skilled transfer at quarterback and a bunch of returners, could the Red Raiders go bowling? 

Postseason appearances became commonplace for Texas Tech football under Mike Leach and at one point, going back to Spike Dykes, the Red Raiders had 17 straight winning seasons.

Since Leach left, the Red Raiders have had consecutive winning seasons just once (2013-2014) and now, it’s been three years since Texas Tech football has even played in a bowl game.

This is also the program that gave us all-world quarterback Patrick Mahomes and also one that could be searching for a future home if the Big 12 conference disbands following the expected departures of Texas and Oklahoma.

For Matt Wells and the Red Raiders, it would be a good time to put together a winning season and get back to the postseason for the first time in three years.

Wells came over from Utah State following the departure of Kliff Kingsbury but in his first two seasons, the Red Raiders are just 8-14.

Last year, Texas Tech football posted a 4-6 record and had an offense that averaged 430 yards per game but also allowed 444. The Red Raiders shifted between quarterbacks Alan Bowman, who has transferred to Michigan, and Henry Colombi.

The pair threw for over 2,600 yards and combined for 18 touchdowns as well as 11 interceptions. Yet, the addition of Oregon transfer Tyler Shough should upgrade the position for Texas Tech as Pete Fiutak of College Football News believes that the transfer has No. 1 pick potential.

"“The Oregon transfer led the way to a Pac-12 title last year, but just as he was supposed to grow into the job, he left for Lubbock. If it all goes well, he’s got No. 1 overall pick skills.”"

If Shough can play like a first-round pick, the Red Raiders would seem to be a strong bet for a return to the postseason, but here’s a full breakdown of the offense, the defense, and the schedule, along with predictions.

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