"**** Texas Tech, and if you support them, **** you too! ...so that is what I told this @ttuvault615 guy, straight up"
it is Friday, let's Flare...
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WEEKLY CLICKS
...a quick list of links from the various stories posted on RRS this week
2022 Season Preview: Texas Tech Basketball presented by Homefield Apparel
Ranking the Remaining Texas Tech Schedule
Big 12 Week 7 Picks: Marquee Matchups and Must-Win Games
McGuire, coaching staff prepare for Mountaineers, JT Daniels
Texas Tech-Baylor set for 6:30 p.m. kickoff in front of sold-out crowd
Mark Adams preparing for tough competition with a new roster full of youth
Red Raiders in the NFL: 2022 Week Six
Frye, Merriweather & others rejuvenated after bye, ready to take on WVU
Week 8 Big 12 Power Rankings: TCU climbs to top, baylor takes a tumble
Texas Tech commits and targets tracker: Week Eight
Tracking Former Red Raiders: McNeil's Big Day
RRS TV: WR commit Tyrone West
What They Know: Keenan Cummings breaks down the Mountaineers
Home, sweet home: Texas Tech returns to Lubbock to host West Virginia
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TTU RECRUITING THIS WEEK
no new commitments this week, and only one (1) new offer made this week...
Desert Mountain (Arizona) 2024 tight end prospect Dillon Hipp announced his offer from Texas Tech earlier this week, his 15th recorded offer. The Red Raiders join the likes of Baylor, Iowa State, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington and several others to offer the standout junior.
per MaxPreps, Hipp lists 13 receptions for 136 yards and two (2) touchdowns through five (5) games played this season.
the Texas Tech coaches have now offered 140 total prospects in the 2024 class
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PROTECTING "THE JONES"
the Joey McGuire led Red Raiders are undefeated at home this season, winning a few games in dramatic fashion for the Texas Tech faithful in The Jones
protecting that home field advantage is something the new Texas Tech talked about a lot this past off-season and so far the team has responded
since West Virginia joined the conference back in 2012, the Red Raiders are 5-5 against the Mountaineers, winning in Lubbock only twice during that 10 year span - 49-14 in the 2012 season and 34-27 in the 2020 season
Neil Brown's team is 1-2 on the road this season, with a close loss to Pittsburgh and a big loss to Texas...including a big road win against Virginia Tech
these Mountaineers have been tested and the recent matchups with West Virginia and Texas Tech have led to some close games, including three (3) games decided by five (5) points or less
creating turnovers will be key for the Red Raiders in this matchup, that could be the difference between another close game at home and a comfortable conference win in front of the home crowd
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THE TTU QB ROOM
former four-star quarterback Behren Morton made his first start against Oklahoma State a few weeks ago, impressing in the loss and showing his potential with 39 completions for 379 yards and two (2) touchdowns passing along with 16 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown rushing
a leg injury late in the first half did noticably change the rushing game or ability to scramble for Morton in the second half, but overall you could not ask for a much better start for the redshirt freshman quarterback
multiple reports indicate that Morton took the majority of snaps with the first team offense in practices this week, but Donovan Smith's sore throwing shoulder got some much needed rest during the bye week and he could get the nod against West Virginia tomorrow - it is still anyone's guess at this point
Tyler Shough was back in shoulder pads this week and throwing this week, so it sounds like he is closer to coming back soon
this is a good problem for the Red Raiders to have, three (3) quarterbacks who can lead the offense regardless of what transpires during the season
sure, a 'good' problem when a backup is needed...but most Red Raider fans are yurning for a guy to emerge at the position. there have been several coaching changes, new offensive coordinators and injuries at the position have created a very inconsistent experience for the Texas Tech faithful for years now
since Mahomes left after the 2016 season, the QB position at Texas Tech has changed hands on an annual basis
2017 - Nic Shimonek
2018 - Alan Bowman, Jett Duffey and McLane Carter
2019 - Jett Duffey, Alan Bowman
2020 - Alan Bowman, Henry Colombi
2021 - Tyler Shough, Henry Colombi, Donovan Smith
a lot of names, not a lot of production or consistency to brag about at the quarterback position
Smith came in last season and propelled the Red Raiders to a victory in the Liberty Bowl...after the coaching change from Matt Wells to Joey McGuire, the starting spot was ultimately not given to Smith after a healthy Tyler Shough took the job this off-season
key word being 'healthy' for Shough, who has faced back to back shoulder injuries early in the last two (2) seasons since transferring to Texas Tech from Oregon
Smith came into backup Shough and has helped the Red Raiders to win games this season, however, inconsistent play in the passing game and turnovers have left some fans questioning him as the best option...now keep in mind these starts for Smith were his fourth, fifth and sixth ever starts as a college quarterback, so the book on him as a college starting quarterback is quite the short story so far
which brings me to Behren Morton, who shined in his starting debut against Oklahoma State a few weeks ago...the West Texas product was not only highly rated coming out of Eastland in the 2021 class, but he grew up a Red Raider and stayed committed to Texas Tech through the coaching changes
Morton was not only a regional standout, but he competed nationally at the Elite 11 and the kid from little ol' Eastland Texas was hanging with or beating out the national stars from bigger cities
as a redshirt freshman, Morton represents the future and that is excited to most Red Raider fans who have not been able to comfortably say who will play quarterback for their team on a week to week or year to year basis
having the quarterback position defined, even to finish out this season and definitely going into next season would be huge for the program and Joey McGuire's coaching staff
that being said, having three (3) quarterbacks is a champagne problem for the Texas Tech coaches and time will tell if Morton can step up to become 'the guy' at quarterback in Lubbock moving forward
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THE MATADOR CLUB - DONATE
if you are reading this thread, then you are a huge Texas Tech fan willing to read anything from any dummy writing about your beloved program
you have probably donated already or are very familiar with the Matador Club...but there are thousands more Red Raiders who aren't as 'online' or connected to the program, so make sure to share this concept with your friends and family who are Red Raiders
these donations, regardless of how big or small, all add up to helping propel the program in this new world of NIL
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BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS
hold your butts or look away, the purple team from Fort Worth is undefeated and the No. 1 ranked team in the conference...
1. TCU
The now No. 8 Horned Frogs were down a few scores late in the second half against Oklahoma State at home last weekend and credit to Sonny Dykes' team. They mounted a comeback and eventually won the game in overtime. Undefeated is undefeated, and this team has answered every challenge. Doing that every weekend in the Big 12 conference is very difficult, and look no further than the No. 17 ranked K-State Wildcats coming to Fort Worth this weekend. This is a potential let-down spot for the Horned Frogs, but again this team has played well and has answered every challenge so far this season. After this weekend, TCU will close the season with games against @West Virginia, Texas Tech, @Texas, @Baylor and Iowa State.
2. Oklahoma State
The now No. 11 Pokes simply blew the game last weekend, it happens. For the majority of the game, Oklahoma State was the better team and they just could not finish or score on offense late in the game. Similar to the messaging above, the Big 12 conference schedule does not care and Mike Gundy's team will turn around and host No. 20 Texas at home this weekend. If the Pokes can turn things around and win a home game against the Longhorns, then Oklahoma State will close the season with games against @Kansas State, @Kansas, Iowa State, @Oklahoma and West Virginia.
3. Kansas State
The 5-1 Wildcats are fresh off the bye week and headed to TCU for a big matchup this weekend. Many had the Wildcats as a preseason pick to win the conference, and while a lot of people scoffed at the idea, this team is a win away from sitting in the driver's seat to play for in the Big 12 Conference Championship game. With K-State coming off the bye week and TCU coming off an overtime game against a Top 10 opponent seems like a recipe for a Wildcats win, but that is why they play the games. If the Wildcats can win this weekend, then Kansas State will close the season with games against Oklahoma State, Texas, @Baylor, @West Virginia and Kansas.
4. Texas
The Longhorns were nearly caught playing with their food last weekend at home against Iowa State, who is not very good this season. I cannot say that this was a game I followed closely, but I'm imagining the 'cloud defense' from the Cyclones caused Quinn Ewers some issues. Texas was coming off a gigantic win in the Red River Rivalry a few weeks ago, so while they avoided the let down game last week, scoring only 24 points at home was a little concerning. Again, never a dull moment in the Big 12 Conference, as the Longhorns travel to Stillwater for a matchup against No. 11 Oklahoma State. This game is huge for Texas and represents a boom or bust stretch for the Longhorns who will close the season with games against @Kansas State, TCU, @Kansas and Baylor.
5. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders are coming off the bye week and host West Virginia to kick-off the second half of the season. The game will feature two (2) teams at 3-3 on the season, and by every measure Texas Tech should be favored to win at home against the Neal Brown led Mountaineers. Typically the bye week is a perceived advantage, but West Virginia played the previous Thursday evening and had the past weekend off after beating Baylor at home in a high-scoring affair. A win this weekend could propel the Red Raiders to another bowl eligible season, the first consecutive bowl eligible seasons in a while. Texas Tech will close out the season with games against Baylor, @TCU, Kansas, @Iowa State and Oklahoma.
6. Oklahoma
A home game against Kansas with a backup quarterback is exactly what the Sooners needed going into the bye week this weekend...is a crazy sentence to write. This has not been the best season for the 4-3 Sooners, but a win is a win and they rebounded from an embarrassing loss in the Red River Rivalry to Texas where they were shutout. Oklahoma fans are hoping the bye week helps the team get right as they will close the season with games against @Iowa State, Baylor, @West Virginia, Oklahoma State and @Texas Tech.
7. Kansas
After losing their starting quarterback, the shine is starting to come off the Jayhawks this season. They dropped a road game to Oklahoma, scoring 42 points in the loss. Kansas travels to Baylor for an 11am kick-off this weekend and the 5-2 Jayhawks look to get bowl eligible with a win in Waco. If the Jayhawks can find a way to win this weekend, then they will close the season with games against Oklahoma State, @Texas Tech, Texas and @Kansas State.
8. West Virginia
The 3-3 Mountaineers are coming off a home win against Baylor in a thrilling Thursday night game, so West Virginia essentially rested over the weekend going into the game week against Texas Tech. Neil Brown's team has been inconsistent this season, but as you would likely assume, they can score on offense and the Red Raiders will have to play defense at home this weekend to stay ahead. These weekly rankings change drastically every week, and a win this weekend could lead to a big jump for the Mountaineers. They will close the season with games against TCU, @Iowa State, Oklahoma, Kansas State and @Oklahoma State.
9. Baylor
The 3-3 Baylor Bears are entering the second half of the season after a road loss to West Virginia last Thursday night. After winning the conference a year ago, the Bears have been inconsistent week to week so far this season. Starting quarterback Blake Shapen suffered a head injury late in the game last week, but is expected back against Kansas this weekend. The Bears will face a backup quarterback from the Jayhawks and play at home, so this is a must-win situation for Dave Aranda and this Baylor team. They will close the season with games against @Texas Tech, @Oklahoma, Kansas State, TCU and @Texas.
10. Iowa State
The 3-4 Cyclones gave the Longhorns all they could handle last weekend, but could not finish the game and lost another Big 12 Conference game, marking an 0-4 conference record on the season. Iowa State's main issue is offense this season, the Cyclones are averaging a little over 16 points per game in conference play this season and that is simply not a recipe for success against other Big 12 teams. The good news is that the Cyclones are on a bye week this weekend and will get rested up for a home game against Oklahoma to finish the month of October. They will close the seaosn with games against West Virginia, @Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and @TCU.
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have a great weekend everyone!
