Point 1: Key Player
| Player | Vital Information |
|---|---|
| Name: | Ian Sadler |
| Position: | Inside Receiver |
| Height/Weight: | 5-11/197 |
| Classification: | Sophomore |
| Key Stats: | 33 catches; 443 yards; 55.4 Yards/Game; 3 Touchdowns |
If the weather is going to be as rainy and messy as forecasted, then I think there’s a pretty good chance that the inside receivers are a bigger part of the game plan for Texas Tech. With the outside receivers being not the most reliable, I think it’s going to be imperative that Sadler and Jakeem Grant be on point and catch everything that comes their way and compliment that running game. Catches could be difficult to come by on Thursday night if the weather is as projected (which is rainy as heck).
Point 2: Uniform Tracker
| Uniform Tracker | ||||||
| Opponent | Helmet | Jersey | Pants | Result | ||
| Sam Houston State | W, 59-45 | |||||
| UTEP | W, 69-20 | |||||
| Arkansas | W, 35-24 | |||||
| TCU | L, 55-52 | |||||
| Baylor | L, 63-35 | |||||
| Iowa State | W, 66-31 | |||||
| Kansas | W, 30-20 | |||||
| Oklahoma | L, 63-27 | |||||
| Oklahoma State | L, 70-53 | |||||
| West Virginia | L, 31-28 | |||||
| Kansas State | W, 59-44 | |||||
Point 3: Keys to the Game
Thanks to Football Study Hall (where there are more stats than just these, so make sure and check them out): Texas Tech’s profile and Texas’ profile.
Statistically, Texas Tech is a strong offense that needs to prove themselves on the road. This is it. Terrible conditions (most likely, but whatever). The Texas defense is pretty danged good at not giving up explosive plays, but can be taken advantage of in most other areas.
 TTU O Rank |
 UT D Rank |
|
|---|---|---|
| S&P+ | 2 | 76 |
| Points/Gm | 2 | 86 |
| Explosiveness | 13 | 9 |
| Efficiency | 11 | 101 |
| Field Position | 86 | 90 |
| Finishing Drives | 8 | 64 |
Texas does have issues scoring, with efficiency and on the field position, which is all good for Texas Tech. Make Texas make some plays because they can also be prone to making mistakes.
TTU D Rank |
UT O Rank |
|
|---|---|---|
| S&P+ | 120 | 87 |
| Points/Gm | 122 | 95 |
| Explosiveness | 73 | 41 |
| Efficiency | 127 | 88 |
| Field Position | 56 | 112 |
| Finishing Drives | 126 | 40 |
Point 4: Texas Tech Offense vs. Texas Defense
Texas Tech has a significant advantage here, notably on third downs and in conversion rates, where Texas is giving up a ton of plays.
Point 5: Texas Tech Defense vs. Texas Offense
With Chris Warren getting the call, I hope that Texas Tech is ready for a strong rushing game and an air attack that tries to go deep. Maybe with the rain, that won’t happen, but Texas is good at the deep stuff. Also note the less than stellar conversion rate for the Longhorns on third down (unfortunately, Texas Tech gives up a ton on third down).
Point 6: A Look at the Texas Offense
I think Texas tries to run soem spread concepts, and here they are, pretty much all between the hashes.
This actually turns out to be a nifty play for Texas and the lone wide receiver, split at the top of the screen ends up finding a really nice hole in the zone coverage for a big gain. Right between the linebackers and the safety.
I’d guess that we will see a ton of this look lots of misdirection and play action sort of stuff. The problem will be if Texas wants to run two running backs or if they’ll go with just one for the game to exchange them as needed.
Foreman actually gets the ball here, but you can see how well Texas has blocked this play. All of the linemen have pretty much blocked out a pretty physical West Virginia line.
Another standard set for Texas, again, we’ll have to see how many two-back sets they run on Thursday.
Yet another play where Texas has blocked West Virginia really well. Texas didn’t lose the WVU game because their offense stunk, they lost the game because of turnovers.
Usually around the goal line, Texas puts in Swoopes, but in this play, Heard is in the game and it’s another well designed play.
Of the three receivers split right, the inside receiver slips inside and behind the other two and Heard sees that this is wide open. Easy touchdown.
Point 7: A Look at the Texas Defense
Pretty standard four man front with two linebackers and five defensive backs.
This ends up being a big play for WVU. The cornerback on the bottom receiver has one-on-one coverage and the safety is really late getting over and he takes a wonky angle as well, almost like he’s not really seeing the ball.
A bit of a more traditional look playing K-State, four down linemen and three linebackers.
There’s not a lot going on here, but that’s somewhat the point. The linebackers are a bit hesitant on what they should do and the line isn’t getting a ton of pressure at this point. That’s three linebackers that aren’t in coverage, but sorta round the line of scrimmage ready to take on a fullback and a quarterback, that means there’s a ton of one-on-one looks down the field.
Again, four down linemen and three linebackers with a safety over the top.
It’s 2nd and 15 and Texas is wanting to keep everything in front of them and they do a good job of that. Just wondering how big of a difference Mahomes’ arm makes and what I perceive better speed at receiver for Texas Tech as Texas looks pretty vulnerable over the middle if they can get past the linebackers.
