Texas Tech passed its first significant test of the Joey McGuire era last week, rallying to beat a ranked Houston team in double overtime at Jones AT&T Stadium.
The Red Raiders, in all likelihood, will have to play even better to stay undefeated through the non-conference portion of their schedule.
Tech (2-0) is a 10-point underdog against No. 16 North Carolina State (2-0) at 6 p.m. CDT Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.
Years ago in the same stadium, the Wolfpack blew out teams coached by Spike Dykes and Mike Leach. The assignment figures to be no less formidable this time.
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Under 10th-year head coach Dave Doeren, NC State has had three nine-win seasons and an eight-win campaign in the past five years.
Expectations are high this year because from last year’s 9-3 team, the Wolfpack return school record-setting quarterback Devin Leary, four starters on the offensive line and 10 starters on defense.
It’s no secret that games are largely won and lost in the fourth quarter, but a slow start can come back to haunt even the best teams in a tight contest.
That’s exactly what happened to Texas Tech against Kansas State on Saturday, as the Wildcats jumped out to a 13-0 lead over Tech early in the game.
The Red Raiders’ offense couldn’t get anything going for most of the first half. Their first five drives ended in either punts or turnovers and sophomore quarterback Donovan Smith looked all but lost on the field. Tech did recover, as did Smith, who led a comeback, but ultimately ran out of gas in the end.
It’s the second time that the Red Raiders have gotten out to a slow start in a road game. They put forth a similar performance against NC State two weeks prior, starting behind a 20-0 deficit.
These early game holes are difficult, if not impossible, for a team to dig itself out of and head coach Joey McGuire knows it.
“We’ve gotta find a way to play better on the road, play better early on the road,” said McGuire in the post-game conference.
“This is the second time. North Carolina State was the same way, where we got behind and the guys fought back…We’ve just gotta do a better job of playing cleaner early on the road.”
With a first-time head coach and young quarterback, road games in the Big 12 can be a difficult environment to navigate.
McGuire recognizes that and thinks that getting back to football basics could be the key to firing up the offensive engine early.
The Red Raiders really got things moving once they started effectively running the ball and keeping the ball on the ground on first down looks like one way they could kickstart this unit.
“Probably running the football a little bit more early,” replied McGuire when asked how he thought they could get the offense going more quickly.
“This offense, you’ll get in 2nd and 8, we’re gonna keep moving. Whenever you get into second-and-ten, second-and-twelve … we can’t get in those long [situations]. “
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