{"id":2925,"date":"2016-08-04T19:43:20","date_gmt":"2016-08-05T00:43:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=2925"},"modified":"2016-09-19T23:31:47","modified_gmt":"2016-09-20T04:31:47","slug":"big-twelve-preview-lack-of-defense-spells-problems-for-texas-tech-mahomes-ii-is-a-great-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=2925","title":{"rendered":"Big Twelve Preview: Lack of defense spells problems for Texas Tech; Mahomes II is a great one"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"RaiderRed\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

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Big Twelve Preview:\u00a0 Texas Tech University<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Head Coach:\u00a0 Kliff Kingsbury, Fourth Year (19-19)<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The Red Raiders will continue to score on their opponents, but how many scores\u00a0a porous defense gives up will determine the success of Coach Kliff \u00a0Kingsbury’s fourth season in Lubbock.\u00a0 This is a make or break year for the former Red Raider quarterback turned Head Coach, and if a week five contest at Manhattan against Kansas State comes up a victory, the men on the South Plains will have a fighting chance to have a winning season.<\/strong><\/h5>\n

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\"Dec<\/a>
Dec 30, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders coach Kliff Kingsbury celebrates after a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 2013 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Offense:\u00a0 Quarterback Patrick Mahomes II (6’3 230) is an experienced and talented man that provides Tech will a leader as good as any in the Big Twelve, if not the country. He is damn good.\u00a0 With over 4600 passing yards and 36 touchdown passes, Mahomes II could even do better in his junior campaign. Justin Stockton (5’10 200)\u00a0will be the feature back and a good veteran group of\u00a0receivers provide Mahomes II nice targets.\u00a0 The offensive line will need to protect and pass block at an efficient level for the Red Raiders to click on all cylinders which should happen\u00a0in games against team with less than stellar defenses.\u00a0Can they go the same with the better teams\u00a0is a\u00a0question but with Mahomes II it gives\u00a0Tech more than just hope.\u00a0 This offense will have to score in\u00a0bunches to some games like at Baylor and Oklahoma State.\u00a0 Offense grade:\u00a0 A-<\/strong><\/h5>\n

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Defense:\u00a0 As usual, the stoppers for Tech will be challenged\u00a0almost every Saturday.\u00a0Giving up fifty, sixty points\u00a0is a recipe for disaster and the hope for a winning season.\u00a0 \u00a0Let us get to the heart of the matter.\u00a0 Texas Tech was at the bottom of the ladder in defense last season, only one team gave up more yards.\u00a0 It was so bad that a three touchdown lead was never safe, even at home.\u00a0 Jah’Shawn Jackson (5’10 180) is the best defender returning, making 85 tackles and four fumble recoveries last year as a freshman.\u00a0 Yet, it was bombs away against that defensive secondary in 2015 and don’t look for much better in 2016.\u00a0 Tech, I repeat, is a very bad defensive team that might not be much better in 2016.\u00a0 Defense Grade:\u00a0 F<\/strong><\/h5>\n

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Special Teams Grade:\u00a0 C\u00a0 \u00a0Again nothing special here.<\/strong><\/h5>\n

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Tech will have their chances this season, and if the defense can come up with some stops, they could win some games that many might think they should lose.\u00a0 The Arizona State road game in Tempe in week two is a winnable with the Sun Devils in a rebuild.\u00a0 And again, Kansas State is key.\u00a0 The Wildcats will be looking for payback from a loss in\u00a0Lubbock in 2015. \u00a0 Look for Mahomes II and a good offense to provide a chance for wins in Lubbock. With that, nothing has changed\u00a0with this program.<\/strong><\/h5>\n

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Games that Tech will win:\u00a0 Stephen F. Austin, La. Tech, Kansas<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

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Games that Tech could win:\u00a0 Arizona State, Kansas State, West Virginia, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Baylor\u00a0 (yes, Tech has a chance in every game with that offense if the o-line does it’s job…….and the defense does make some stops)<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

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Prediction:\u00a0 4-8 and 2-7 in conference –\u00a0 8th place<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

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\"Texas-Tech-Football-Mascot\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Feature Photo:\u00a0 Brendon Maloney, USA Today Sports<\/p>\n

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Big Twelve Preview:\u00a0 Texas Tech University Head Coach:\u00a0 Kliff Kingsbury, Fourth Year (19-19)   The…<\/p>\n

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