TEXAS TECH PASS OFFENSE vs TEXAS PASS DEFENSE
The availability of Alan Bowman, or lack thereof, makes a huge difference in this one. I’m writing this under the assumption that Bowman won’t play in this game, although Tech hasn’t made any announcements just yet. When Bowman is in, there aren’t many weaknesses. Assuming it’s Jett Duffey at quarterback, this is an area with plenty of weaknesses. Duffey started a game against TCU and has played against West Virginia and Oklahoma. With Duffey, he’s a good runner, but he’s more of an athlete playing quarterback than true quarterback who is going to slice up a defense with his arm. Duffey’s limited as a passer, especially in his accuracy and his progressions. Tech does have some talent at the receiver position. Antoine Wesley has already piled up an incredible 1,176 yards and 7 TDs. T.J. Vasher is very good. Zach Austin can make plays out of the slot and former walk-on Ja’Deion High is a senior leader who has close to 50 receptions.
Edge – Texas ***
TEXAS TECH RUN OFFENSE vs TEXAS RUN DEFENSE
Just like the passing game, the Tech run game is a lot different depending on who is in at quarterback. Assuming it’s Duffey, he’ll figure heavily into the equation. In limited action, Duffey has rushed for nearly 300 yards and averages a healthy 5.7 yards per attempt with a long of 38 yards. Tech utilizes a pretty deep stable of running backs. Tre King, Da’Leon Ward and Ta’Zhawn Henry can all do different things. King has a little more power, can run between the tackles effectively. He walked on last year and was a big surprise and he’s been solid again this year. Ward can do a little bit of everything and is good in the screen game, but he’s been limited some this year with a groin injury. Henry is a guy Tech will put outside in the slot … a smaller guy who is dangerous in space. Look for Tech to do a lot more read option with Duffey in the game.
Edge – Texas Tech *
TEXAS TECH OFFENSIVE LINE vs TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE
Tech’s o-line is banged up a bit. Jacob Hines is out for the year after suffering a knee injury last week. Guard Jack Anderson becoming has turned into one of the best guards in the Big 12 as a sophomore. Center Paul Stawarz has been solid. Madison Akamnonu probably replaces Hines at guard and he’s been up and down. Overall, this is a pretty well-balanced group that plays pretty equally in both run blocking and pass blocking. The right side of the line is better than the left side. Texas’ defensive line hasn’t played well lately, and with Breckyn Hager possibly being out it could be shorthanded.
Edge – Texas Tech *
TEXAS TECH PASS DEFENSE vs TEXAS PASS OFFENSE
Jah’Shawn Johnson and former Longhorn John Bonney have done well at the safety spots. The corners, Desmon Smith, has good size at 6-2 but has been very inconsistent. The other corner, DaMarcus Fields, is pretty solid, but he’s undersized at about 5-9 so he could have his hands full against Texas’ bigger receiver. Justus Parker at nickel is solid.
Edge – Texas **
TEXAS TECH RUN DEFENSE vs TEXAS RUN OFFENSE
Texas Tech has been solid at defending runs up the middle. Defensive tackle Joe Wallace (6-1, 315 pounds) is a big guy who plugs up running lanes. Preston Gordan, grad transfer from Rice, rotates in with Wallace. Tech has more depth with its defensive line than they’ve had in most years. Tony Jones is playing well against run. Overall, Tech’s run defense ranks seventh in the Big 12, but good backs have been able to wear them down. Tech has done a solid job of plugging the middle, but have had issues with runs to the outside.
Edge – Texas *
TEXAS TECH DEFENSIVE LINE vs TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE
Ends Kolin Hill and Eli Howard are rush ends who are pretty good at getting pressure in the backfield. Howard, only a sophomore, projects to be one of the better DEs in the conference. He’s sitting at 3.5 sacks on the year. Tony Jones leads the team with 4 sacks. The Texas offensive line has played well and should have the upper hand in this one.
Edge – Texas *
SPECIAL TEAMS
De’Quan Bowman is one of the better punt and kick returners in the Big 12. Kicker Clayton Hatfield is experienced and reliable (92 percent on the year). Tech is second in the league in net punting. Texas’ special teams are playing better, but Tech gets the nod here.
Edge – Texas Tech **
The availability of Alan Bowman, or lack thereof, makes a huge difference in this one. I’m writing this under the assumption that Bowman won’t play in this game, although Tech hasn’t made any announcements just yet. When Bowman is in, there aren’t many weaknesses. Assuming it’s Jett Duffey at quarterback, this is an area with plenty of weaknesses. Duffey started a game against TCU and has played against West Virginia and Oklahoma. With Duffey, he’s a good runner, but he’s more of an athlete playing quarterback than true quarterback who is going to slice up a defense with his arm. Duffey’s limited as a passer, especially in his accuracy and his progressions. Tech does have some talent at the receiver position. Antoine Wesley has already piled up an incredible 1,176 yards and 7 TDs. T.J. Vasher is very good. Zach Austin can make plays out of the slot and former walk-on Ja’Deion High is a senior leader who has close to 50 receptions.
Edge – Texas ***
TEXAS TECH RUN OFFENSE vs TEXAS RUN DEFENSE
Just like the passing game, the Tech run game is a lot different depending on who is in at quarterback. Assuming it’s Duffey, he’ll figure heavily into the equation. In limited action, Duffey has rushed for nearly 300 yards and averages a healthy 5.7 yards per attempt with a long of 38 yards. Tech utilizes a pretty deep stable of running backs. Tre King, Da’Leon Ward and Ta’Zhawn Henry can all do different things. King has a little more power, can run between the tackles effectively. He walked on last year and was a big surprise and he’s been solid again this year. Ward can do a little bit of everything and is good in the screen game, but he’s been limited some this year with a groin injury. Henry is a guy Tech will put outside in the slot … a smaller guy who is dangerous in space. Look for Tech to do a lot more read option with Duffey in the game.
Edge – Texas Tech *
TEXAS TECH OFFENSIVE LINE vs TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE
Tech’s o-line is banged up a bit. Jacob Hines is out for the year after suffering a knee injury last week. Guard Jack Anderson becoming has turned into one of the best guards in the Big 12 as a sophomore. Center Paul Stawarz has been solid. Madison Akamnonu probably replaces Hines at guard and he’s been up and down. Overall, this is a pretty well-balanced group that plays pretty equally in both run blocking and pass blocking. The right side of the line is better than the left side. Texas’ defensive line hasn’t played well lately, and with Breckyn Hager possibly being out it could be shorthanded.
Edge – Texas Tech *
TEXAS TECH PASS DEFENSE vs TEXAS PASS OFFENSE
Jah’Shawn Johnson and former Longhorn John Bonney have done well at the safety spots. The corners, Desmon Smith, has good size at 6-2 but has been very inconsistent. The other corner, DaMarcus Fields, is pretty solid, but he’s undersized at about 5-9 so he could have his hands full against Texas’ bigger receiver. Justus Parker at nickel is solid.
Edge – Texas **
TEXAS TECH RUN DEFENSE vs TEXAS RUN OFFENSE
Texas Tech has been solid at defending runs up the middle. Defensive tackle Joe Wallace (6-1, 315 pounds) is a big guy who plugs up running lanes. Preston Gordan, grad transfer from Rice, rotates in with Wallace. Tech has more depth with its defensive line than they’ve had in most years. Tony Jones is playing well against run. Overall, Tech’s run defense ranks seventh in the Big 12, but good backs have been able to wear them down. Tech has done a solid job of plugging the middle, but have had issues with runs to the outside.
Edge – Texas *
TEXAS TECH DEFENSIVE LINE vs TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE
Ends Kolin Hill and Eli Howard are rush ends who are pretty good at getting pressure in the backfield. Howard, only a sophomore, projects to be one of the better DEs in the conference. He’s sitting at 3.5 sacks on the year. Tony Jones leads the team with 4 sacks. The Texas offensive line has played well and should have the upper hand in this one.
Edge – Texas *
SPECIAL TEAMS
De’Quan Bowman is one of the better punt and kick returners in the Big 12. Kicker Clayton Hatfield is experienced and reliable (92 percent on the year). Tech is second in the league in net punting. Texas’ special teams are playing better, but Tech gets the nod here.
Edge – Texas Tech **
