A $200 million announcement for the future. A recruiting class that currently ranks 19th nationally and has 25 verbal commitments. And a fan base that is ready to “WHOO” their way into the season. It is time for the Texas Tech week one home opener against Murray State. Joey McGuire will lead a football team on the field for the first time as a collegiate head football coach. So is there any reason Tech fans should be worried about a matchup with a team from the Ohio Valley conference?
McGuire Finally Roams The Sidelines
Ever since McGuire’s opening press conference, there has been a steady crescendo of buzz around this program that has led to this Texas Tech week one kickoff. Coach McGuire’s unmistakable energy has seemingly oozed through every facet of this program. With optimism at a recent all-time high, the Red Raiders are now taking the field. McGuire’s resume as a head coach at the high school level earned him a spot in the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame. He should like a lot of what this team brings to the table.
The quarterback room is deep, with Tyler Shough finally earning the QB1 spot after a heated three-man competition began back in the spring. McGuire also has to like the talent and experience of his running back corps, headlined by SaRodorick Thompson who is entering his fifth season as a Red Raider. Quietly, the Red Raiders have possibly the best TE room in the conference. Defensively, Tyree Wilson could very well play himself into being a first-round draft pick. New defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter’s hybrid 3-4 scheme will give Wilson opportunities to get after the quarterback from a variety of positions. DeRuyter and McGuire also have to be thrilled with the amount of experience in the secondary. A senior will be starting at DeRutyer’s STAR position, both cornerback positions, safety, and free safety. All positions also have at least one senior on the second string that will get playing time.
Get Out Of The Starting Block Fast
All of this anticipation for the McGuire era has built up justifiable excitement. A good portion of that is also attributed to the potential of the offense. Offensive coordinator Zach Kittley returns to Lubbock with the goal of restoring an offensive attack historically associated with Texas Tech. Kittley, who is only 31 years old, led a Western Kentucky offense in 2021 that broke the NCAA single-season record for passing yards and passing touchdowns. An offense can’t set those types of records playing at a methodical pace.
The pace was on display a little bit during the Spring game. If the Red Raiders want to build as much momentum going into a tough matchup next week against a top 25 opponent, the offense needs to be crisp. Texas Tech needs to come out of the proverbial starting blocks faster than Justin Gatlin. The overall tone of this game has to be established by an offense, and it has to be with the speed and precision of an F1 racer. The Racer’s defense should not provide too much resistance. Murray State’s 2021 defense could be found ranked in the middle of the pack by most defensive statistics at the FCS level.
Texas Tech Week One Prediction
The Red Raiders have a decided talent advantage against Murray State. The fan base has been fawning over McGuire and all of the positive momentum that the program has built heading into this season. Energy should be high in the stadium and on the field. A gauntlet of teams awaits on the other side of the Racers. However, this tune-up game to open the season should be one with little doubt from beginning to end.
Texas Tech 45, Murray State 10
