Our game-by-game season preview for Texas Tech rolls on with a look to their first Big 12 road trip against the Jayhawks of Kansas. According to our predictions to this point, Texas Tech would be 1-3 entering the contest.
While the 1-3 mark is far from stellar, Tech will be tested early against solid competition and should be figuring some things out at this point in the season in terms of personnel, play-calling, etc. Kansas’ non-conference slate opens up with home games against Southeast Missouri State and Central Michigan, followed by an away game at Ohio.
For Kansas, that seems like an ideal non-conference schedule that combines winnable games with decent competition. That could provide for the perfect blend of confidence and experience heading into conference play. While it would be great to be 3-0, nobody wants to show up for their first Big 12 game without being tested.
Assuming Texas Tech loses its first Big 12 game at the hands of Oklahoma State, and assuming Kansas falls to West Virginia, each squad will be looking at this matchup as an early season opportunity to notch a crucial Big 12 win. While Kansas has improved slowly over the past couple seasons under head coach David Beaty, are they good enough yet to win two or three Big 12 games in a season? They did beat Texas last year, after all.
Sep 29, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes (5) drops back to pass against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
In what feels like a season of uncertainty entering 2017 for Texas Tech, a loss to Kansas would be brutal, leaving the Red Raiders in the perceptual cellar of the Big 12. Barring a miraculous turnaround, a 1-4 start that includes a loss to Kansas would be the nail in Kliff Kingsbury’s proverbial coffin, and would end Texas Tech’s season for all intents and purposes. Would Kingsbury be fired on the spot after the game? Doubtful. He would just be a dead man walking as Tech finished out a season that doesn’t include a trip to a bowl game.
Fortunately for the Red Raiders, I don’t think things will be that dire. If they do indeed start 1-3, Kansas is probably the easiest opponent left on the schedule, providing Tech with their best chance at sparking a turnaround.
Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Dylan Cantrell (14) catches a pass for a touchdown against KU football – Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
It’s worth noting that Texas Tech has underwhelmed in two trips to Lawrence during Kingsbury’s tenure. In 2013, they got off to a slow start before blowing out the Jayhawks and in 2015 found themselves in a nail-biter in the fourth quarter. They can’t afford to start slow or come out flat this time, or Kansas may pounce.
I predict a Texas Tech team that is motivated to save its season will show up in Lawrence and overpower Kansas with their passing game. While Tech quarterback Nic Shimonek is inexperienced despite being a fifth year senior, a majority of his experience involves throwing four touchdowns in less than two quarters against Kansas in 2016, so he should be confident entering this one.
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