The Texas Tech Red Raiders football team made waves throughout the offseason, thanks to its impressive transfer portal haul.
The Red Raiders may have ended up with the best transfer portal class in the country, using a combination of opportunity at key positions and name, image and likeness money to bring in talent. Texas Tech senses opportunity after going 8-5 last year, with a 6-3 record in the Big 12.
The Red Raiders have won at least seven games in each of coach Joey McGuire’s first three seasons. But the influx of transfer talent, along with the return of players like quarterback Behren Morton, have fans in Lubbock sensing an opportunity to finally get to the Big 12 championship game.
Lindy’s Sports recently published its preview for the Big 12, including the Red Raiders. Heartland College Sports will weigh in with our previews later this summer.
The magazine picked Texas Tech to finish second in the Big 12. Here are three thoughts on the preview.
THAT PORTAL CLASS
Lindy’s always does a top newcomer with each preview. For the Red Raiders, the publication had a wealth of choices because of the sheer talent in the portal class. The actual prep recruiting class wasn’t bad, either.
But the publication settled one of the late transfers, edge rusher David Bailey from Stanford. Last year he was graded 90.9 as an edge rusher by Pro Football Focus. He has the potential to transform the defense.
But he’s far from the only transfer on the defensive side. Lindy’s pointed out that there are four transfers on the defensive line and five in the secondary. Plus, there is a new defensive coordinator in Shiel Wood.
The goal? To turn around a defense that was ranked No. 126 in FBS and gave up 460.2 yards per game. Defense has always been a trouble spot in Lubbock. If the Red Raiders want to get to Arlington, this unit must play better.
THE MORTON FACTOR
Quarterback Behren Morton played in all 12 regular-season games for the Red Raiders. For the first time, he got a full season to show what he was truly capable of doing.
He threw for 3,335 yards, 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also completed 63.3% of his passes. Those are all-Big 12 numbers.
He could be poised for a huge season. The shoulder issues that have dogged him the past two seasons are probably behind him, thanks to offseason surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, one of the best in sports medicine. That’s why he didn’t play in the bowl game.
Morton he must get used to a new offensive coordinator (Mack Leftwich), an almost brand-new offensive line and life without leading rusher Tahj Brooks. The reality is that it’s Morton’s show now.
THE EXPECTATIONS GAME
The Red Raiders were not only picked to finish second in the Big 12, but Lindy’s had them at No. 18 in the country. It’s not hard to do the math.
If Texas Tech finishes second or better in the league the Red Raiders are heading to Arlington for the Big 12 title game. Winning 10 games would almost guarantee it. Their non-conference schedule looks like cake, honestly (no offense to Oregon State, but the Beavers won five games last year).
Texas Tech’s three most difficult league games (on paper) appear to be Arizona State, Kansas State and BYU, all of which are legitimate contenders for the title. The first two games are on the road.
The kind of transfer portal class the Red Raiders locked in demands the kind of season that puts Texas Tech in position to reach the College Football Playoff for the first time. It’s up to McGuire and his player to deliver.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
