Texas at El paso

Texas Tech at Texas- El Paso- 09/06/14-09/07/14

LUBBOCK, TEXAS-

Medianoche en El Paso...es una cosa muy mala

After traversing both time and space the Texas Tech football team managed to sneak out a win in their international friendly against the Miners of UTEP. The game, which began late Saturday night, ended early Sunday morning on a fourth down stand by the Texas Tech defensive unit (I just started laughing). By all regards, this match was supposed to be Texas Tech's 'redemption game', an opportunity to show everyone that a week of hard practice and self-reflection would fix the crippling penalties and slow starts. Last week, the leadership of the team expressed a sense of embarrassment, and a resolve to fix the issues as they saw fit.

The problem lies with the assumption that the glaring  issues first raised against UCA were ever addressed to begin with. 

Surprise!...They weren't.

The triple threat of poor tackling, stupid  penalties, and lack of offensive rhythm once again reared it's ugly head in El Paso and nearly contributed to the Red Raiders defeat. Furthermore, while the game last Saturday against the Bears of  UCA proved to only be decided by a single touchdown, the Red Raiders never felt like they would lose. In tonight's game against El Paso I never felt that way, rather, I felt that Texas Tech was lucky. UTEP played to win, and nearly did so. After a second lackluster performance against a team that Tech should have throttled, more questions will arise. Some may focus on Webb, or team chemistry, or whether or not sideline interference is ever really called. However, the only question that matters is this: Will Tech's luck extend another week when the run-heavy Razorbacks of Arkansas come into town?

I'm not sure we're ready for that answer...

My "10 takeaways" from last night:

1. Check Yo Self- penalties Texas Tech was flagged ten times for a total of 90 yards. There may have been some improvement for Tech in this department, the penalties weren't nearly as drive-killing as they were against UCA, but rather they seemed to be frustrating in a different sense. Of the ten penalties called against Tech were two back-to-back flags for holding on lineman Dominique Roberston, as well as two penalties for sideline interference and a duplicate jersey number infraction...More on these later.
2. Runnin'- My memories of dominant Texas Tech running backs are somewhat limited, but in my opinion the trio of Stockton, White, and Washington are the closest example the Red Raiders have had in recent years. Stockton runs with a churning power and decisive speed that reminds me a lot of the Woods/Batch combo circa 2007-2008. Meanwhile, White and Washington are no slackers themselves, both seem to be better at finding open lanes and hitting them than last season. White plays the game like he's somehow hooked up to a Xbox controller (spin move), meanwhile Washington isn't a slouch himself, the confidence and ability he had pre-injury in 2011 seems to be back and he is in top form. The running back corps development and ability is something that may  be harped on a little much but its deservedly so. It's been a long while since Texas Tech could reliably run the ball, much less break runs open for 75+ yard touchdowns.
3. Eazy-Duz-It- The game in El Paso was Texas Tech's first road test of the 2014 season. Although Webb and the offense once again started with a sort of sputter and didn't really seem to 'warm up' until midway through the second quarter I don't really see this as being a result of the locale or the stadium environment. The UTEP crowd looked rowdy and I'm sure they helped inspire their team, I just don't feel that they rattle the Tech players, the coaches? Maybe. I don't really see how else you get multiple warnings for sideline interference. 
4. Insane In The Brain- Speaking of which, I really don't understand how Texas Tech even received one warning for sideline interference. It shouldn't happen and the fact that it did falls directly on the coaching staff. The warning was frustrating enough, but then Tech received a penalty for not addressing it. Subsequently, said penalty resulted in Tech's defense staying on the field and ultimately ended with a UTEP touchdown to put the game in the 'uncomfortably close' category of scary.
5. Sabotage- Both Rika Levi and Jackson Richards were kept out of the UTEP game due to injury. As a result, Defensive Coordinator Matt Wallerstedt fielded a sort of hodgepodge defensive line, featuring newcomers from the JUCO ranks. The results of the defensive line mirrored their sort of mixed bag approach. UTEP's star running back Aaron Jones ran roughshod over Tech's defensive line with ease. However, a bright spot was that the Tech line seemed to pressure UTEP QB Jameill Showers  and running back Jones multiple times resulting in short gains, the problem here is that the defensive linemen couldn't consistently achieve an effective pass rush on the UTEP QB and even sometimes created running lanes for the UTEP backs. The issue with Texas Tech's defensive line may be one that is not solved until the second half of the season: right now things don't look that great but the JUCO additions will need time to adjust to D1 level game speed and the line itself will need to be given a sort of gelling period. I wouldn't hit the panic button yet, while Tech has historically struggled in defending the run and Arkansas may very well put up ridiculous rushing stats we are after all only two games into a very young and unpredictable season. 
6. Obligatory uniform mention- The black helmet, black jersey, and white pants combo has to be one of my all time favorites. Back in 2008, Texas Tech absolutely destroyed Dez Bryant and the Oklahoma State Cowboys while wearing this uniform combo. 
7. The Next Episode- After Texas Tech's defensive showing in these first two games I completely understand if some think the Red Raiders have absolutely no chance in defending the run against the very run-oriented Arkansas Razorbacks. I'll admit I don't see Texas Tech being able to win unless they somewhat keep the run in check against Arkansas. However, if they are able to do so and are also able to take advantage of Arkansas' weak secondary they should be in the best position to win. My predictions: Head: Tech loses in a shoot-out, 49-45. Heart: Tech finally wins the turnover battle, wins 41-31.
8. Underrated-  Not redshirting some of the new freshmen. Does Tech win this game if Stockton is redshirted by Tech? Probably not. If they can contribute right away, let them.
9. Overrated- Games that start at 10pm central time. Seriously, never again. Please.
10. Game ball- Justin Stockton & Bradley Marquez: these guys both made outstanding plays that ultimately helped put Tech in the win column. Without Marquez's clutch catches and Stockton's 75+ yard touchdown run Texas Tech most definitely would not have left El Paso without a loss. Honorable mention: Davis Webb, the dude was up and down for much of the first quarter, but finally set into a bit of a rhythm in the second half. I feel like Webb is having to live up to the memory burned into our collective minds from the Holiday Bowl performance last season. When it comes down to it, Webb is still only a sophomore and is missing his sort of safety blanket targets from last season in Amaro and Ward. Davis will get better as the season goes on, no reason to panic.