There has been plenty to like about Joey McGuire’s first two seasons as the head football coach at Texas Tech.
McGuire is just the second coach in Tech history to lead the program to bowl games in each of his first two seasons, joining the late Mike Leach. In the six years before he took over, Tech had five losing campaigns and only two bowl appearances and he’s turned that round. And, he’s navigated the transfer portal well and landed a top recruiting class this season.
There is more to do at Tech, however, as it’s been a while since the Red Raiders were a contender in the Big 12.
This summer, BuffZone will preview each of Colorado’s opponents for the 2024 season and in this installment we look at Texas Tech, which hosts the Buffs on Nov. 9 in Lubbock, Texas.
Although not viewed as a title contender this year – the Red Raiders were picked by media to finish ninth in the Big 12 – McGuire comes into his third season with confidence.
Health at quarterback is critical, though.
“I hope to God that I don’t play three quarterbacks this year,” he said in a recent interview with 365 Sports.
Injuries forced Texas Tech to use three different starting quarterbacks in 2022, and again in 2023. Junior Behren Morton started games in both seasons and he’s back for his junior year.
“It’s really important for us to keep our quarterback healthy,” McGuire said. “I think that’s one thing that can help us take the next step. We feel good about our team.”
Traditionally known for its high-powered offense, Tech took a step back last year, averaging just 27.4 points per game – the lowest average for a Tech offense since 25.3 points per game in 2000 (Leach’s first year in Lubbock).
Behrens will be a key to the Red Raider offense improving, but this is a unit led by star running back Tahj Brooks. One of the nation’s leading rushers last year, he’s a major weapon in a conference loaded with running backs.
While Brooks and Morton are back, there’s been a lot of changes around them.
Only one starting offensive lineman returns, and McGuire hit the transfer portal to land three new starters. The receiving corps is revamped, too, with five-star freshman Micah Hudson and several transfers in the mix.
Defensively, the Red Raiders feel good about the linebacker duo of Ben Roberts and Jacob Rodriguez. Roberts was one of the Big 12’s top freshmen last year and Rodriguez has been highly productive when healthy, but missed most of 2023 with an injury.
There are a pair of starters back in the secondary, but Tech will rely on several young players or newcomers to step up.
Tech could also benefit from the schedule, which includes seven home games and only two games against the teams projected to finish in the top five of the Big 12 standings.
“I think the big thing is really being more consistent on defense and then keeping that QB healthy,” McGuire said. “If we can keep him healthy, we feel really good about our football team.”
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Head coach: Joey McGuire, 3rd season (15-11)
2023 season: 7-6, 5-4 Big 12; beat California in Independence Bowl
Series with CU: Tied 5-5
The Game
Who: Colorado Buffaloes at Texas Tech Red Raiders
When: Saturday, Nov. 9, time TBA
Where: Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas
Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs for a first down against California during the second half half of the Independence Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Shreveport, La. Texas Tech won 34-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
5 Guys to Watch
S CJ Baskerville: A San Diego State transfer last year, Baskerville started 10 games for the Red Raiders, at “star” and safety. Finished second on the team with 78 tackles, while adding 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and five pass breakups.
RB Tahj Brooks: Had a breakout season in 2023, rushing for 1,538 yards and 10 touchdowns and earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. He ranked fourth nationally in rushing yards (118.31 per game). He also caught 29 passes for 72 yards.
WR Josh Kelly: Caught 61 passes for 923 yards and eight touchdowns at Washington State last year. A sixth-year senior who played four years at Fresno State, he’s caught 148 passes for 2,228 yards and 12 TD in his career.
QB Behren Morton: The backup at the start of the 2022 season, he took over as the starter by the fifth game. Wound up starting eight games, completing 62% of his passes for 1,757 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
LB Ben Roberts: Was named the co-defensive freshman of the year in the Big 12 last year. Led the Red Raiders with 107 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Good to know
• Tahj Brooks is seventh in Texas Tech history in rushing yards, with 3,052. He needs 1,168 yards to become the school’s all-time leader. Byron Hanspard (1994-96) currently has the record, with 4,219 yards.
• Texas Tech has been to bowls in each of the last three seasons, the longest streak for the program since an 11-year run from 2000-10.
• Receiver Drae McCray was on the preseason All-Big 12 list as a returner. He averaged 27.6 yards per kickoff return in 2023, while also catching 29 passes for 255 yards on offense.
• Former Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter enters his third season as Tech’s defensive coordinator. The Red Raiders gave up 30.2 points per game in 2021, before he arrived. That average dipped to 29.2 in 2022 and 26.0 in 2023.
• Zach Kittley, 32, is in his third season as the offensive coordinator. He was previously the OC at Western Kentucky and Houston Baptist. Tech averaged 34.2 points in 2022, but slipped to 27.4 last year.
• Per 247Sports.com, Texas Tech had the top-rated recruiting class in the Big 12 for the Class of 2024. The class is headlined by five-star receiver Micah Hudson, who is projected as a starter.
• Gino Garcia returns as the kicker after making 16 of 22 field goals in 2023. He was 3-for-5 beyond 50 yards, with a long of 55. He was 2-for-6 at one point last year before making 14 of his last 16 field goal attempts.
• Jack Burgess was one of the top punters in the FCS last year at Weber State. He averaged 44.1 yards per punt over the last two years.
Portal movement
Tech lost 23 players to the transfer portal and while most were backups, they had some significant losses, including starting offensive linemen Jacoby Jackson (Mississippi State) and Monroe Mills (Louisville). Two of last year’s top four receivers, Jerand Bradley (Boston College) and Myles Price (Indiana) also transferred, as did former starting quarterback Tyler Shough (Louisville). Defensively, the Red Raiders lost part-time starting linebacker Jesiah Pierre (Central Florida) and rotational edge Steve Linton (Baylor). In return, Tech has added 16 transfers, plugging holes on offense. Davion Carter (Memphis), Sterling Porcher (Middle Tennessee) and Vinny Sciury (Toledo) are all projected as starters on the offensive line. Receivers Caleb Douglas (Florida) and Josh Kelly (Washington State), as well as tight end Jalin Conyers (Arizona State) are projected starters, as well. Defensive linemen De’Braylon Carroll (Rice) and James Hansen (Nevada) and cornerback Devynn Cromwell (University of Guelph) should be rotational players, while Jack Burgess (Weber State) is expected to handle punting duties.
