You can point to a few areas where this game was lost, but one was pretty obvious. Texas Tech saw multiple drives fizzle out that would have changed the game. There was a turnover on downs at the West Virginia 24-yard line, an interception at the West Virginia 18-yard line, and a third-down sack at the West Virginia 31. At its peak, this offense is a joy to watch, but it’s been wildly inconsistent far too often this season to capitalize on the talent on the field. A failed two-point conversion late in the game added to the frustration.
The Mountaineers ran Tech off the field.
And it was emphatic. West Virginia had 300 yards of rushing, averaged over 5 yards per carry, and the Mountaineers faithful were even booing their own team for attempting to pass late in the game instead of just pounding the football against a defense that had no answer for it. Not that it’s news that the Texas Tech defense is prone to struggling against the run.
A winnable game slipped away.
West Virginia’s defense ultimately held Texas Tech to 199 yards passing, unthinkable after some of the performances the Red Raiders have put up this year. But even with that in mind, you have to know that this was a game Tech could have won if fewer mistakes were made, especially the aforementioned drives falling apart. Patrick Mahomes is an incredible talent in the Big 12 conference, but he’s still not in the best QB conversation because of some of the decisions he makes. The interception in the red zone was particularly unforgivable, throwing against his body into double coverage. That said, it was his ability to stay on his feet and extend plays that got Tech out of a number of other jams.
To make matters worse, the statistic below essentially confirms Tech’s place as third-worst in the Big 12 during much of Kliff Kingsbury’s run. Ouch.

The Mountaineers ran Tech off the field.
And it was emphatic. West Virginia had 300 yards of rushing, averaged over 5 yards per carry, and the Mountaineers faithful were even booing their own team for attempting to pass late in the game instead of just pounding the football against a defense that had no answer for it. Not that it’s news that the Texas Tech defense is prone to struggling against the run.
A winnable game slipped away.
West Virginia’s defense ultimately held Texas Tech to 199 yards passing, unthinkable after some of the performances the Red Raiders have put up this year. But even with that in mind, you have to know that this was a game Tech could have won if fewer mistakes were made, especially the aforementioned drives falling apart. Patrick Mahomes is an incredible talent in the Big 12 conference, but he’s still not in the best QB conversation because of some of the decisions he makes. The interception in the red zone was particularly unforgivable, throwing against his body into double coverage. That said, it was his ability to stay on his feet and extend plays that got Tech out of a number of other jams.
To make matters worse, the statistic below essentially confirms Tech’s place as third-worst in the Big 12 during much of Kliff Kingsbury’s run. Ouch.

