Abilene Christian (0-0) vs. Texas Tech (0-0)

When: Saturday, August 31st @ 7:00 pm
Where: Jones AT&T Stadium | Lubbock, TX
TV & Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: TuneIn Radio
The Line: Texas Tech -33
Weather: 83-65, Scattered Thunderstorms

Game day hype video! (I would have picked a different song :|)

The Brand, Episode 5. A good episode to get you read. This episode starts with Patrick Mahomes in Lubbock and then leads to the opening of the south end zone and the fan engagement opportunities.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Nathan Giese: Texas Tech football hosts Abilene Christian: Scouting report, predictions for 2024 opener

When Abilene Christian football runs

ACU lost its top two rushers from a season ago, meaning the team will likely utilize new names. Patterson has tabbed North Texas transfer Isaiah Johnson as the starter in the backfield. The former Lubbock-Cooper product had 37 carries for 229 yards with the Mean Green in 2023. ACU could also use returners Jordon Vaughn (6-foot-3, 235 pounds) and Rovaughn Banks, Jr. (5-10, 190) throughout the game. Banks averaged 6.5 yards per carry last season and Vaughn 5.5. The Red Raiders will be working in a mixture of options on the defensive line, probably deploying about six or seven players at the nose/defensive tackle spots as well as the outside linebacker rotations. Quincy Ledet Jr., (who is listed as questionable as of Monday) and E’Maurion Banks will start in the middle with Amier Washington and Harvey Dyson III getting the nods on the edge. However, you’ll see plenty of other names used at those spots as well. Texas Tech gave up 160 yards per game on the ground a season ago while ACU averaged 149 on offense.

Midland Reporter Telegram’s Oscar LeRoy: Keeping Texas Tech QB Morton healthy begins against ACU

The biggest question mark going into the season will be how the revamped offensive line comes together. Probable starting right tackle Caleb Rogers and his backup Ty Buchanan are the only ones who had game experience playing for Tech last year. Three other projected starters transferred from other universities.

Even though that unit has been rebuilt, Morton said he has confidence that the offensive line can hold up its end of the bargain of keeping him “safe.”

“(Left guard Vinny Sciury) was all-conference at Toledo. That dude just likes to try hurt people and it’s awesome,” Morton said. “You like those kind of guys, who have an edge to them. Caleb Rogers does a good job of bringing all those guys together, being a team captain and a leader up front. Caleb is one of my best friends and I know he’s going to be ready to play Saturday and have those guys ready to play Saturday, as well as I’m going to have the whole offense ready to play on Saturday.”

ACU Sports: ACU Opens Season Saturday at Texas Tech

SERIES HISTORY
* Texas Tech leads the series with ACU, 6-3. The first game was played in 1925. ACU, or Abilene Christian College as it was known then, won three straight over the Red Raiders from 1927-29.
* Texas Tech then won the next four, including the most recent meeting which was the 1949 season opener.
* The Wildcats finished that year 3-6, but had several key freshmen such as Wally Bullington and Ted Sitton, both future ACU coaches, who went on to lead the program to its only undefeated, untied season in 1950 when ACC finished 11-0.

Red Raider Sports: Staff score predictions for Texas Tech-Abilene Christian

Ben – Texas Tech 48, Abilene Christian 13

Any time you open with an FCS opponent you want to see a dominant win and that’s exactly what will happen Saturday night.

Behren Morton looks to quiet any doubts about his health as he throws for 300+ yards and 4 scores, including one to 5-star freshman Micah Hudson. The defense also plays well, only allowing 1 touchdown drive in the game.

Despite the blowout win, I don’t know if you can take too much away from an FCS game. Week 2 in Pullman will tell you a lot about the 2024 Red Raiders. For the season I could see anywhere between 7-9 regular season wins.

Dallas Morning News’ Justin Apodaca: Texas Tech prediction: Will Red Raiders start off on right foot vs. Abilene Christian?

When Texas Tech has the ball
Texas Tech, and Morton, will be looking to showcase the talk of the offseason, a revamped passing attack that stems with a healthy quarterback but is highlighted by dynamic playmakers on the perimeter.

Red Raider fans are going to get their first look at Washington State transfer Josh Kelly alongside five-star freshman Micah Hudson, among plenty other playmakers expected to make an impact for Tech in 2024.

Tech will likely establish the run with Tahj Brooks, who has hopes to break Tech’s all-time leading rushing record this season but will be going up against former Tech defensive coordinator Keith Patterson, who will bring his Odd-Stack 3-3-5 defense to Lubbock this weekend.

“I mean, you know, Patterson’s an odd stack guy,” McGuire said Monday morning. “We’re expecting an odd stack, you know, stuff like what TCU did the first two years, Sonny was there, what Iowa State does. It’s going to be interesting if they do play some four down.”