Texas Tech Has The Defensive Formula To Make Colorado Miserable
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Texas Tech football doesn’t need its defense to reinvent anything Saturday at Colorado. It just needs the Red Raiders to play fast, stay disciplined and make an offense that has struggled against Power Four competition earn every yard.
Colorado has scored only 34 total points in three games against Power Four opponents, making this a matchup Texas Tech’s defense should be able to control.
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The first priority is obvious: make Isaac Wilson uncomfortable.
Wilson took over as Colorado’s starter against Baylor and completed 14 of 27 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown.
He’s experienced enough to punish careless pressure, but Texas Tech shouldn’t need to constantly manufacture blitzes if its defensive front does its job.
Freshman edge rusher LaDamion Guyton is starting to become a problem for opposing offenses. He recorded two sacks against Sam Houston and earned Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week honors for the performance.
If Guyton and defensive tackle A.J. Holmes can consistently generate pressure with four rushers, defensive coordinator Shiel Wood can keep extra defenders in coverage and force Wilson to repeatedly execute underneath.
That makes tackling critical.
Colorado will likely try to give Wilson easy completions early, especially after struggling to produce explosive offense in losses to Northwestern and Baylor.
Texas Tech can’t allow five-yard throws to become 20-yard gains because of missed tackles.
Third down is another major point of emphasis.
At altitude in Boulder, extended Colorado possessions could eventually wear down the Red Raiders.
Getting off the field keeps the defense fresh and gives Texas Tech’s offense more opportunities to build separation.
Then there’s Joey McGuire’s familiar defensive goal: take three.
Texas Tech finally reached that mark against Sam Houston. Austin Romaine intercepted two passes and returned both for touchdowns, while Peyton Morgan added another interception.
The Red Raiders have now forced six turnovers this season.
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Colorado doesn’t look built to win a shootout, and that means Texas Tech shouldn’t give the Buffaloes any help.
Pressure Wilson without getting reckless, tackle cleanly in space, eliminate deep shots and attack the football. If the Red Raiders handle those four areas, Colorado could spend a very long Saturday night trying to manufacture points.
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