In 2021, Texas Tech football saw its best season in several years, but how much does it mean when entering the Red Raiders’ 2022 run?
Last season, Texas Tech finished with its best record since 2015, made a bowl game for the first time since 2017, and won a bowl game for the first time since 2013. In other words, the Red Raiders have a lot to smile about right now.
However, there are multiple obstacles that stand in their way of keeping the good times rolling, most namely when regarding the formidability of their upcoming competition.
Simply put, Texas Tech’s 2022 slate is no easy path to success. Its trio of out-of-conference matchups include hosting both Murray State and Houston before visiting Carter-Finley Stadium to take on North Carolina State.
Based on how everyone’s 2021 seasons panned out, the idea of the Red Raiders beating either of the teams not named Murray State would be nothing short of a miracle.
When it comes to league play, there are several names that TTU should have circled on the calendar, and a good portion of them are set to follow the aforementioned battle with the Wolfpack–lined up one after the other.
After coming home from what should be a brutal road trip to Raleigh, Texas Tech will have to do the following: welcome the Texas Longhorns (who, despite their current struggles, are not an easy win here), visit Kansas State, and then visit Oklahoma State.
For those who have forgotten, the Wildcats saw a decent eight wins last season while the Cowboys came within inches of their first playoff appearance. With all of that in mind, the Red Raiders run a good chance of being dealt three more losses from that stretch alone.
Between their bye week and the end of their season, the only match that comes with a comfortable chance of victory is a home game against Kansas. So, that means that they only have two opponents — the Racers and Jayhawks — that one could safely bet on them surviving, making their floor an abysmal 2-10.
As for the ceiling, it is fair to humor the odds of Texas Tech beating Houston, as the former did so by a convincing margin in 2021. Beyond that, every “go-either-way” game will also be given to Tech. Such games include Kansas State, West Virginia, TCU, and Iowa State.
If this scenario were to unfold as described, then the Red Raiders would make the postseason again, this time with seven wins instead of last year’s six.
With a climb in performance that small being the best that TTU could do, then the thought of its 2022 run including a bowl game is quite the reach. With that said, Texas Tech fans should probably not be getting too hyped for a breakthrough anytime soon.