Will the Texas Tech Red Raiders manage a .500 season? Or will we see them finish at the bottom of the Big 12?
As we get closer to the bottom of the Big 12 conference, these predictions are going to be less and less positive. Next up, we have the Texas Tech Red Raiders who might not finish .500 but they will win a few games at least. Last season the Red Raiders finished 7-6 overall which is the first time they’ve finished above .500 since the 2015 season. Their 3-6 conference record is nothing new either considering they’ve finished 3-6 in conference play five out of the last six seasons.
Fast forward to now, the Red Raiders have a new head coach in Joey McGuire and the rebuild is here. McGuire is the first defensive-minded coach since the days of Tommy Tuberville. McGuire is stepping into a program used to being offense, offense, offense, and hope to god they outscore opponents. That clearly has not worked well for years now. That being said, let’s break down the Red Raiders’ 2022 schedule and the start of their rebuild.
Week One, Home Game vs Murray State
The non-conference schedule begins rather nicely for Texas Tech this year. Tech might not get many wins this year so getting a win in week one will be helpful. The Red Raiders have a quarterback battle to handle and we will likely see all three QBs get reps in this game. This will be the perfect opportunity for McGuire and company to get their roster questions answered. Give me Tech to win this one comfortably as they should.
Score Prediction: Texas Tech 42, Murray State 14
Week Two, Home Game vs Houston
While week one might be an easy game, week two’s non-conference game will be tough. The Houston Cougars are likely going to be competing for their own conference title in 2022. That is not good for Tech considering they will still be figuring out their depth chart and what scheme works best for the program under McGuire. I cannot see Tech winning this game despite it being in Lubbock. This will be a close game until the fourth quarter and then Houston will pull away.
Score Prediction: Houston 35, Texas Tech 21
Week Three, Away Game vs NC State
Texas Tech will then go on the road for their final non-conference game to take on NC State. The Wolfpack have emerged as a top contender in the ACC. NC State finished 9-3 last year and returned essentially all of their key players. With Tech having so many new additions and question marks, I do not like Tech going on the road and winning. NC State will be far too sound of a team and Tech will struggle in this one.
Score Prediction: NC State 35, Texas Tech 14
Week Four, Home Game vs Texas
The Red Raiders do not get a favorable start to conference play. Despite getting to start their conference schedule at home, the Longhorns come to town and will be a tough outing. I think Tech can hang around for most of the game. The defense will struggle late in the game and that will be the downfall of Tech in most of their games this year. It is tough to defend your home turf when you have so many different roster spots to solidify. Give me the Longhorns to take care of business in Lubbock.
Score Prediction: Texas 35, Texas Tech 17
Week Five, Away Game vs Kansas State
After their third consecutive loss, Texas Tech goes on a road trip to take on Kansas State. K-State is going to be a solid team in 2022 and Tech needs to be prepped for this game. Going into Manhattan and beating the Wildcats is a tall task especially when your own team has already lost three games on the year. Once again, Tech will hang around for most of the game and lose it late. I like K-State to take this game at home and keep Texas Tech in the loss column.
Score Prediction: K-State 31, Texas Tech 20
Week Six, Away Game vs Oklahoma State
Texas Tech really got slammed with a tough beginning to conference play. After a trip to Manhattan, Tech heads south to take on Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are another team I have spoken highly of in the Big 12. Tech is unfortunately not going to be any kind of obstacle for the Cowboys. Way too many question marks, inexperience on offense and defense, easy win for Oklahoma State.
Score Prediction: Oklahoma State 42, Texas Tech 14
Week Seven, Home Game vs West Virginia
The Red Raiders finally get back home to take on West Virginia in week seven. West Virginia is in a similar situation as Tech. Lots of rebuild and movement on the depth chart but no results to show for it. This will be a good game for both West Virginia and Tech to hash out the final pieces that need to be nailed down. I like Tech to end the losing streak and take down the Mountaineers at home. This will be a good morale booster after so many losses in a row.
Score Prediction: Texas Tech 31, West Virginia 21
Week Eight, Home Game vs Baylor
But just when the positivity begins, Baylor comes to town to shut it down. The Big 12 favorite to repeat as champs will be a tough matchup for anyone in 2022. With Tech being such a pass heavy offense, Baylor will prep for that so the run game will have to step up. However, Baylor will be far too good despite what I think will be a valiant effort from Texas Tech. Give me the defending champs to win in Lubbock and once again put Tech in the loss column.
Score Prediction: Baylor 38, Texas Tech 24
Week Nine, Away Game vs TCU
I discussed how both Tech and TCU are similar in that they have fast paced offenses but are in need of a rebuild. This will be a grinder of a game on defense and the offense on both teams will struggle. Turnovers all over the place and defensive plays will be the name of the game. This will be a tough road game in Forth Worth but I’m going to take the Red Raiders to get a big road win and boost the team morale.
Score Prediction: Texas Tech 21, TCU 17
Week Ten, Home Game vs Kansas
In week ten we will get a battle for the bottom of the conference with KU coming to town. Two teams that are either having a good game or a really bad one with no in between. Lubbock will always be a tough place to play in for the road team. Tech will want to defend their home turf against the other bottom tier team of the conference. However, I like picking upsets and I am taking the Jayhawks to get the win in Lubbock. You have to pick one of these types of games every year and here it is, sue me.
Score Prediction: KU 27, Texas Tech 21
Week Eleven, Away Game vs Iowa State
After losing to KU, Tech is going to be rather upset or should be at least. With a road trip to Iowa State in week 11, the Red Raiders need a win badly. Iowa State is not the dominant team from recent seasons and Tech should eat that narrative up. Here is another road game upset that sounds enticing to pick. Give me the Red Raiders to close out their last road game of the year with a win in Ames.
Score Prediction: Texas Tech 28, Iowa State 24
Week Twelve, Home Game vs Oklahoma
The last game of the 2022 season is a home matchup with the potential Big 12 champion Sooners. Oklahoma will want to blow out Tech to add one final win in Big 12 play. However, this will not be a blow out win for Oklahoma. Night games in Lubbock are a weird atmosphere and by the end of november this will likely be a night game. I like Tech to make this a competitive game that forces the offense of OU to win it. Unfortunately for Tech, the Sooners will show up and beat them with their own version of a fast paced offense.
Score Prediction: OU 38, Texas Tech 31
Final Record For Texas Tech Football In 2022: 4-8 (3-6)
The 2022 season will see the Red Raiders winning a few games but overall it will be disappointing. With the rebuild fully underway, new head coach Joey McGuire will have to endure the process ahead. While Tech might not be anything special in 2022 or even 2023, their recruiting classes are improving year after year. Give the Red Raiders a few seasons to build and they could be good soon.
Which Big 12 team will improve the most in 2022? Comment below and join the discussion!
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