Texas Longhorns Season Finale Preview: Texas Tech Red Raiders
The No. 7 Texas Longhorns are just one win away from a Big 12 Championship - and perhaps College Football Playoff - appearance and standing in their way is their bitter rival - the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Not only that but after their overtime loss to the Red Raiders in 2022, the Longhorns will also be looking for a little bit of revenge in the process.
All of that, in combination with the bulletin board material Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire ahead of the season, and the Longhorns are sure to be laser-focused on Friday's matchup.
“These so-called bluebloods — and I really question that," McGuire said prior to the season. "One of them’s really good in Olympic sports.”
Overall, the Longhorns lead the series 54-18 and are 17-5 vs. the Red Raiders since the turn of the century.
So far this season, the Red Raiders have been underwhelming at best, sitting at 6-5, with losses to Wyoming and BYU, and a narrow win over UCF last week.
That said, the Red Raiders also put the No. 6 Oregon Ducks on the ropes earlier in the season, falling 38-30 in Lubbock.
With that in mind let's take a look at the Red Raiders ahead of Friday's matchup in Austin.
Texas Tech Red Raiders:
2023 record: 6-5, (5-3 Big 12)
Head coach: Joey McGuire
Offensive Leaders
Passing: Behren Morton, Soph.
2023 stats: 136 of 215, 1,410 yards, 12 touchdowns, four interceptions
Rushing: RB Tahj Brooks
2023 stats: 250 carries, 1,352 yards, 5.4 YPC, nine touchdowns
Receiving: WR Jerand Bradley
2023 stats: 36 catches, 431 yards, 12 yards per catch, four touchdowns
Defensive Leaders
Tackles: LB Ben Roberts - 87
Interceptions: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson - four
Sacks: Jaylon Hutchings DL and Myles Cole LB - 3.5 each