Some of the RRS angst this season has been over expectations versus what many have labeled as a weak schedule for Tech. Out of 134 FBS teams, just how weak is it?
According to College Football Network and after 13 weeks of college football, Tech is ranked #43.
Here are the Big 12 schools with SOS rankings:
#14 Kansas 5-6; 4-4
#19 Houston 4-7; 3-5
#27 Oklahoma State 3-8; 0-8
#29 UCF 4-7; 2-6
#32 Cincinnati 5-6; 3-5
#35 Kansas State 8-3; 5-3
#36 West Virginia 6-5; 5-3
#38 Arizona 4-7; 2-6
#43 TEXAS TECH 7-4; 5-3
#44 Baylor 7-4; 5-3
#45 Utah 4-7; 1-7
#53 Iowa State 9-2; 6-2
#56 BYU 9-2; 6-2
#57 Colorado 8-3; 6-2
#60 Arizona State 9-2; 6-2
#62 TCU 7-4; 5-3
#88 Washington State 8-3
#95 North Texas 5-6; 2-5
Ranking our Wins and Losses:
Wins -
1. 23-22 at then #11 Iowa State (9-2; 6-2). While Iowa State lost again after playing us at Kansas, the 1-point road win was huge for Tech who upset a 7-0 team who was at their highest point since 1938 and at their Homecoming! Tahj Brooks scores a Wildcat QB TD with 0:20 in the 4th Quarter to pull the upset on the Road. Best ranked win since 2011.
2. 30-22 vs Arizona State (9-2; 6-2). This win has really aged well. Behren played a really clean game with 2 TD passes and 0 turnovers and our Kickers were 3/3 on FGs and 3/3 on PATs for 12 points. The Defense played so tough and a complete team game over a ranked opponent was a good day in Lubbock.
3. 44-41 vs Cincinnati (5-6; 3-5). Frustrating game where the Defense really struggled to make stops. Probably one of Behren's best games of the season as he found Coy Eakin for TDs twice and protected the football with 0 turnovers. Tahj Brooks was at his best with 32 carries 172 yards 5.4 avg and 2 TDs. Our Kickers were 3/3 FGs and 5/5 on PATs for 14 points.
4. 28-22 at Arizona (4-7; 2-6). At the time, we all thought that this was a HUGE win on the Road for Joey McGuire and our team. Turns out, not so much, but so glad that this is a Win and not a Loss at this point. Tahj Brooks led the Offense with 21 carries 128 yards 6.1 avg and 3 TDs. Tahj did turn the ball over twice but when we really needed him he came through clutch. Gino Garcia added 8 points on 2/2 FGs and 2/2 PATs. The Defense was flawed but did force 3 Turnovers.
5. 56-48 at Oklahoma State (3-8; 0-8). This game felt like a Kliff Kingsbury era game, so we should probably be grateful that we actually won this one. By far, Behren's best game of the season, 35-50 70% 366 yards 4 TDs 1 INT. Tahj Brooks with 28 carries 133 yards 4.8 avg 3 TDs rushing, 9 receptions 65 yards 7.2 avg 1 TD receiving, AND 2-3 67% 38 yards PASSING. The Defense was TERRIBLE, BUT Jacob Rodriguez had 13 tackles, an INT, and recovered a Fumble for a TD.
6. 66-21 vs North Texas (5-6; 2-5). North Texas isn't good. Maybe the worst team that we've played this year, BUT they are a Win away from Bowl eligibility. All three phases of the game did what we should have done against an outmatched opponent in front of the home crowd. This was very satisfying for us following how we looked in the first two games of the 2024 season.
7. 52-51 OT vs Abilene Christian (FCS 8-4; 7-1). The ONLY good thing that I will say about this game is, we won.
Losses -
1. 27-41 vs Colorado (8-3; 6-2). They are better than us. That isn't to say that we didn't have opportunities and that there shouldn't be frustration. Just admitting that they were better. Tahj got his and even became the TTU all-time leading rusher but it came late and not until after Colorado had control of the game. Gino finally missed but has been so dependable. Rodriguez continued to be one of the only bright spots on a very diminished Defensive unit.
2. 16-37 at Washington State (8-3). At the time, this loss felt devastating to our fanbase as we had kind of "drank the Koolaid" on not having to play Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas State, Utah or BYU. Several here were calling for 9-11 Wins against this schedule. Many were saying that Washington State might be the worst team in the P4/5. A 21 point domination slammed us back to reality. Tahj didn't play, Behren threw 2 INTs, we lost 2 Fumbles, and the Defense gave up 301 rushing yards.
3. 34-35 at TCU (7-4; 5-3). Will Hammond provided our annual "The Backup QB is better than QB1" moment when he took over for an injured Behren and a mostly stalling Offense to go 10-15 66.7% (after hitting 9/9 or some such) 121 yards 1 TD 0 INT, 8 carries 16 yards 2.0 avg 1 TD and 1 Lost Fumble (Do we still blame Kittley?). Tahj Brooks 30 carries 121 yards 4.0 avg 1 TD. Reese Burkhardt, a Kicker, scored a TD on a Faked FG before flashing a MAGA TShirt. So many highs and lows, ending in a Loss.
4. 35-59 vs Baylor (7-4; 5-3). This Loss hurt our collective hearts. For all the progress that Joey McGuire has made for Texas Tech, and it really has been a lot, his home performances against Baylor have been soul-crushing. They have also tended to be Behren's worst games:
2022 L 11-34 32.4% 152 yards 1 TD 3 INT; 6 carries 6 yards 1.0 avg 1 TD
2023 W 19-26 73.1% 180 yards 3 TD 1 INT; 2 carries -1 yards -0.5 avg 1 TD
2024 L 33-49 67.3% 286 yards 3 TD 1 INT; 6 carries 3 yards 0.5 avg 0 TD - Two of the passing TDs came in 4thQ garbage time after the game was way out of hand.
(1-2 as a starter) 63-109 57.8% 618 yards (206 ypg) 7 TD 5 INT; 14 carries 8 yards 0.6 avg 2 TD
Do you disagree with the Win/Loss rankings? How would you rank them?
