Texas has a very important game to close out the season against Texas Tech. Here are three reasons the Longhorns will beat the Red Raiders.
Texas has a very important game to close out the season against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Currently sitting at 6-5, Texas needs a win to guarantee another winning season under Tom Herman. Needing a walk-off win from Lil’ Jordan Humphrey to win in Lubbock last season, the Longhorns should be able to win by a greater margin this year.
Here are three reasons Texas will beat Texas Tech:
Texas Tech’s pass defense
Going into this week, the Red Raiders have the worst passing defense in the entire conference. Opponents have thrown for an average of 369.4 yards per game against Texas Tech, including three 400 yard games for Oklahoma, Kansas, and West Virginia.
Quarterback Sam Ehlinger and the Longhorn passing game has been this team’s strong throughout the season. Ehlinger has thrown for 3,114 yards, the third-most in the Big 12. He has also found the endzone 27 times in the air, only trailing Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts.
While the passing game is coming off a rough game against Baylor, Texas should be able to throw all over this Texas Tech defense. Wide receiver Devin Duvernay will be important, but other receivers like Brennan Eagles and Malcolm Epps need to step up for the Longhorns. If they can, Texas should be able to win easily.
Home field advantage
Even though the road team has won the last four matchups, Texas should benefit from playing in Austin this year. Overall, Texas is 4-1 at home with its only loss coming to No. 2 LSU. In the Big 12, Texas has yet to lose at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium with wins over No. 21 Oklahoma State, Kansas, and Kansas State. Texas Tech, on the other hand, is 1-4 on the road.
The Longhorn offense, in particular, has soared at home, averaging 39 points a game. The defense has struggled, but playing in a close shootout is nothing Texas has not seen this season. In the Big 12, the three wins have come by an average of 3.7 points, with the largest margin being the six-point victory against Oklahoma State.
The Red Raiders have done a little of everything on the road. To start their Big 12 season, they got blown out 55-16 to Oklahoma, but also only lost by three to Baylor and Kansas. Their defense has allowed 34 points a game on the road and the Texas offense must take advantage.
The Longhorns have more to play for
This is a crucial game for Texas as they need a win to guarantee their third straight winning season. If they do not, a loss in their bowl game would give the Longhorns their fourth seven loss season in six years. Texas Tech, on the other hand, is 4-7 and cannot reach a bowl game.
Not only will a win give Texas a winning season, but it will improve what bowl game they play in. Getting to 7-5 could see the Longhorns as high as fourth in the pecking order. A loss would drop them as low as sixth, which could be the last Big 12 team available.
Not only are bowl game scenarios on the line, but possible coaching jobs are on the line. While Head Coach Tom Herman may not be in any danger, his staff on both the offensive and defensive staff may be. Texas players have told the media that the coaches still have the locker room’s respect. If they can come out and prove they some promise, it may save some coaching jobs.
Texas will face Texas Tech at 11:00 a.m. CST on Fox.
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