College Football 2021: 4 teams that will be on upset alert in Week 4
3. Texas (vs. Texas Tech)
We all know Texas isn’t back, but a loss against Texas Tech would show the program isn’t going back. That’s not at all a slight on the Red Raiders. This is a totally winnable game for Tech, but let’s be honest here: this should more often than not be a one-sided rivalry, just as it’s been across its history.
We all know Texas Tech has explosive potential on offense. The passing attack finally woke up last week, throwing for over 400 yards. former Oregon transfer Tyler Shough came into his own last week, throwing got 399 of those yards himself.
Why is that significant? The Texas defense hasn’t faced a quality passing attack yet. And last year, they were among the worst in the national against pass. The Longhorns have been good against the pass this year, but don’t let the numbers fool you. Louisiana is probably the best passing attack Texas has faced so far, and that’s not saying much.
Which Texas Tech defense shows up? They’ve been consistent through the season, giving up 21, 22, and 21 points in three games. Tech played really well against Houston, holding the Cougars to just 251 yards. They couldn’t replicate that against Stephen F. Austin, giving up 375 (Tech was actually outgained in that game despite the win). They went back to Week 1 form last week, holding FIU to 246 yards.
Last year, the Red Raider defense was among the worst defenses in the country giving up nearly 450 yards per game. Truth is, Tech is probably somewhere in the middle.
Surprisingly, Texas Tech has been one of the top seven defenses against the run, which is important against a Texas team that’s still very much undecided at quarterback. Texas is 15th in rush yards per game.
It’s insane to think Tech can hold the Longhorns to the 55 rush yards they’ve been limiting teams to. But if the Red Raiders can slow down Texas’ 245 yards per game on the ground and force one of the shaky Longhorns’ quarterbacks into some obvious passing situations, that’ll go a long way in getting Texas Tech a huge win against an in-state rival.