4 reasons the Horns can dominate Week 4
Xavier Worthy can take advantage of the one-high safety look
There will be opportunities to beat this Texas Tech defense deep. This modern 2-4-5 defense that the Red Raiders like to play emphasizes speed and strong play in the trenches and at the safety positions.
The two lowest-graded Texas Tech defensive backs in pass coverage among the regular starters are DB Marquis Waters and corner Rayshad Williams. These two have combined to allow more than 200 receiving yards, around 160 yards after the catch, and have missed three tackles in coverage assignments so far this season.
The safety that will be assigned to help over the top will commonly be Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, who has allowed the most receiving yards in coverage assignments of any Tech defender this season. Taylor-Demerson has allowed 172 receiving yards, 21.5 yards per catch, and was in coverage assignments for two passes that went for at least 50 yards in the last three games.
The threat of Bijan Robinson can open up space for the rest of the offense
We’re likely going to see Texas Tech stack the box and force Texas to beat them on the shoulders of whoever is starting at quarterback this weekend. Tech would probably prefer the Longhorns to have to earn it through the air instead of just handing the ball off to the likes of Bijan and Roschon.
If Texas Tech is committing extra defenders to stopping Bijan on the ground, then that should open up more space for Sark to get his other skill players out in space.
Essentially, if McGuire and the Red Raiders want to commit extra defensive assets (i.e. the weakside linebacker or a safety/nickelback), that will give Sark other options to beat this defense. That strategy of stacking the box to limit Bijan could still open up other opportunities to give Sark the advantage in this game.
Texas Tech doesn’t have much of a ground game to speak of
The most questionable part of the Texas Tech offense is definitely the ground game. Texas Tech’s rushing attack has averaged just over 100 yards per game on the ground, around three yards per carry, and two rushing scores. The rushing touchdowns are the only positive to the team rushing stats for Texas Tech through three games this fall.
Donovan Smith is very turnover prone
So far this season, interceptions were a real problem for redshirt sophomore Texas Tech quarterback Donovan Smith. Since taking over for the former Oregon Ducks transfer and senior quarterback Tyler Shough earlier this season, quarterback Donovan Smith has tossed five picks. He’s averaging nearly one interception for every 20 passing attempts.
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