Photo Courtesy Michael C. Johnson / USA TODAY Sports
The Mountaineers have moved on and plan to exert their frustrations from the heartbreaking loss to Oklahoma on Texas Tech this homecoming weekend. Here’s how Texas Tech looks on paper heading into Morgantown:
Texas Tech boasts a 3-1 record with wins coming from Houston, FIU, and Stephen F Austin. Their lone loss came at the hands of Texas last week 70-35. The Red Raiders opponents currently hold a combined 10-6 record.
The Red Raiders offense has been up and down through the first four games, putting up close to 39 points per game. They scored scored a season high 54 points against FIU, and season low 28 against Stephen F Austin. The already hit or miss offense took a blow earlier this week when it was announced that starting QB Tyler Shough would be out with a broken collar bone. The Mountaineers will face Henry Colombi, who has had his way with the Mountaineers in prior meetings.
The Texas Tech defense is statistically the same Texas Tech defense West Virginia has seen since they entered the conference in 2012, allowing roughly 34 points per game. The defense is coming off an ugly performance last week against Texas. The Tech defense gave up a 70 spot on route to a 70-35 loss.
Any other year, I would predict this game to be a shootout. However, that isn’t the case this year. Both offenses are handicapped in one way or another, and I just cannot see a lot of scoring. The stingy WVU defense has proven to be legit, and will be a huge factor in keeping Texas Tech honest.
Players To Keep An Eye On
RB Tahj Brooks: 35 carries, 284 yards, 4 TD.
Erik Ezukanma: 23 receptions, 406 yards, 1 TD.
LB Colin Schooler: 20 solo tackles, 30 total tackles.
Keys To WVU Win
At this point it is natural for us to say that the biggest key is to score more than 3 second half points. Other than that, WVU has to:
Limit Miscues (Oklahoma prime example)
Get Leddie Brown hot early.
Keep Colombi between the hashes.
