Washington State 2024 Opponent Scouting Report: Texas Tech

Jared Miller | Jun 24, 2024

Dec 16, 2023; Shreveport, LA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs the ball during the second half against the California Golden Bears at Independence Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Who/When/Where: The Red Raiders will swing through the Evergreen State in Week 2 this fall to battle the Cougars on September 7. Joey McGuire’s team, which won last year’s Independence Bowl, brings with them a hard-hitting defense, ball-hawking secondary and nifty runner meaning that Washington State will have to be at their best if they want a chance at dispatching their lone Big 12 foe in 2024.

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Getting To Know Texas Tech

Offensive Players to Watch: Tahj Brooks (RB), Behren Morton (QB), Coy Eakin (WR)

Defensive Players to Watch: Ben Roberts (LB), C.J. Baskerville (DB), Bralyn Lux (DB)

The first and immediate threat that WSU will need to address in the game plan is the defensive scheme for senior running back Tahj Brooks (#28) because one guy is seldom enough to bring him down. Brooks ran for over 1,500 yards last year and found the end zone ten times. He is chasing down breaking Texas Tech’s career rushing mark of 4,219 set by Byron Hanspard (1994-96). 

Brooks has a healthy mix of finesse and power while embracing contact but is also quick on his feet. His ability to make defenders miss with his sharp cuts is excellent as is his tendency to slide past tacklers in traffic. He won’t shy away from running up the gut and, if WSU defenders don’t properly wrap up, he will find his way through for big gains. Brooks has 12 career 100-yard games under his belt.

When Texas Tech isn’t handing it off, quarterback Behren Morton (#2) will be taking the snaps. Morton took over as the Red Raiders’ primary signal-caller after Tyler Shough got hurt against West Virginia last year and hasn’t looked back since. Morton threw for 1,754 yards and 15 scores in 2023.    

He’ll roll out of the pocket to extend plays if need be and, although running isn’t necessarily Morton’s strongest attribute, he won’t be afraid to call his own number from time to time. When he is throwing, however, he won’t have his top pass-catchers from a season ago in Xavier White and Jaerand Bradley. Now it’ll be guys like Coy Eakin (#8) and incoming transfers Caleb Douglas (#5) and former Cougar Josh Kelly (#18). Eakin was with the Red Raiders last year and brought in 36 passes for 416 yards and a pair of TDs. 

Eakin has strong enough hands to win one-on-one battles if he’s positioned well enough while Kelly is quick and athletic, proving to be especially valuable in short-yardage throws. Douglas will be the likely home-run threat with his speed and ability to get underneath long passes. 

On the other side of the ball, Texas Tech boasts one of the best up-and-coming linebackers in the nation with sophomore Ben Roberts (#13). Roberts was phenomenal last season, registering 105 tackles (55 solo) and forcing two fumbles. Roberts hits hard and wraps up extremely well. He closes on the ball as good as any which means that whoever has it for Washington State needs to have their head on a swivel. 

On the back end, the Red Raiders will field a pair of very talented DBs in C.J. Baskerville (#9) and Braylyn Lux (#0). The duo combined for 13 defended passes and three interceptions last fall. Both Baskerville and Lux are fast enough to match the speed of most receivers they’ll see and won’t often be beaten straight up. 

Final Analysis: Front to back, Texas Tech is a very complete team and will likely be one of the toughest WSU sees all year. Morton now has starting experience under his belt with a bunch of his complimentary pieces returning around him this year. Roberts and Brooks will be the two primary guys both OC Ben Arbuckle and DC Jeff Schmedding will need to really account for respectively but there won’t be any easy matchups in this one if you’re Washington State.