(Photo: PredictEm)
Campus Clash
(22) Houston Cougars at (13) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Houston (2-0):
They are 2-0 and ranked 22nd in the nation so far in this young season, with two wins in very different ways. The first came against the Oregon State Beavers in Week One, and they won that game by 13 points with 533 yards of total offense and a balanced attack, with Makhi Hughes and Re’Shaun Sanford leading the ground attack, while Conner Weigman finished that game with 305 yards passing. Just in Week Two, they dominated Southern by scoring on 11 consecutive possessions and scored 77 points, you read that correctly. Outside of their offense handling business, what impressed me was their defense, holding Southern to only 121 yards of offense along with 2.9 yards per play and forcing three turnovers. Now, let’s get back to the quarterback for a quick second, Conner Weigman, and his name should look and sound familiar because he was once the starting quarterback for the Texas A&M Aggies. It was tough for him in College Station because he struggled to stay healthy and wound up losing his starting job, which can take a toll on a football player after a while. I also felt he wasn’t cut out for the SEC and playing in that tough conference. Either you’ll survive or you won’t, so I felt him transferring to play for the Houston Cougars was the best thing for him, and he looks comfortable with this being his second season with the program. In his first year, he threw 25 touchdown passes. If I had to give you my early read on this football team so far, I’d say they’re substantially better than a typical number 22 ranked team, but we don’t know just how good they can be. This Friday night, they’ll make their way to Lubbock for a primetime showdown with the champs of the Big 12,
Texas Tech (2-0):
I had my share of opportunities to watch this group last season, and each time I saw them, I was always impressed. I also know they lost a few pieces from last season’s team, such as David Bailey, Jacob Rodriguez, Romello Height and Behren Morton. One piece that didn’t go to the NFL yet was Cameron Dickey. I remember after Behren left for the NFL, I saw discussions about this team hitting the transfer portal to find a big name to replace him, and that would’ve been the worst thing they could’ve done because they had a quarterback who actually has been the backup, and now he’s got his opportunity to start, and I’m talking about Will Hammond. The first time I saw Will play was last year in Week Four when the Red Raiders went to Utah and Behren unfortunately got injured and couldn’t return for the remainder of the game. Will came in, and they didn’t miss a beat! The thing I’ve been appreciating about them is they aren’t the typical Texas Tech teams, and they have shied away from the old-school feel that they’re built only to win shootouts and simply outscore the opponent. Now, this is a football team that packs a punch and can beat you by slowing games down or turning the game into that track meet if they choose to do so. I can say Joey McGuire has built a legitimate program here with the Red Raiders, and they have made a jump from a dangerous Big 12 team to a national contender, especially after the breakthrough season last year where they won the Big 12 and clinched a top-four seed in the College Football Playoff. This Friday night, they welcome the Cougars of Houston University to town.
Houston X-Factor: Koby Young
Conner Weigman has three weapons to choose from in his receiver arsenal, with his top target being Amare Thomas, and his next weapon is Trent Walker. I always say those third options are the ones you must pay closer attention to because they can impact the game when their number is called, and Koby is the guy that beats defenses with his speed and can get over the top of the coverage. His speed gives Houston a way to attack the Texas Tech secondary that lost production from last season. If Koby can hit some explosives on Friday night, it will allow the Cougars to hang around in this game.
Texas Tech X-Factor: A.J. Holmes
This was a Texas Tech defense with Romello Height, Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey all on the field at the same time! A.J. Holmes decided to return this season and is one of the veterans on this defense. His first step off the snap is so explosive and can win the gap before the offensive linemen can get fully set, which is why he’s able to create pressure from the interior. He applies pressure without needing a blitz, and they move him around the defensive line, which makes it a challenge for offenses to identify where the pressure is coming from. Believe it or not, A.J. once played for the Houston Cougars.
Final Thoughts:
We have a Lone Star showdown here on a Friday night, and there’s nothing more exciting than Friday Night Lights! These two met last season, and the Red Raiders dominated the Cougars, and over a year later, Houston is trying to prove that last season’s matchup was just a bump in the road, while Texas Tech is attempting to prove that their defense is still one of the best in the country even after losing some talent to the NFL. The top priority for Houston will be to keep Weigman protected at all costs. Conner was under constant pressure in last year’s matchup, and if the Cougars can keep the chains moving and stay out of long-yardage situations, they will have a chance in this one. Next, attack the Red Raiders with the passing game, and this is where Houston can find something to work with. I’d attack them with play action, RPOs, screen passes and take a shot or two down the field when Tech brings pressure, and lastly, make Texas Tech a one-dimensional football team. Make Hammond have to test the Houston secondary. Can the Red Raiders make Weigman uncomfortable? This is the top key for me, and I’m not saying they need to sack him, but apply pressure to throw him off his spot. This is exactly why A.J. Holmes will be key for them. Don’t allow the Cougars to run the football. Both teams actually enter this game stout against the run, and I think Tech needs to win this battle more because it puts Conner into passing situations and it allows your defensive line to tee off and make Houston’s secondary tackle. Tech has receivers in Micah Hudson, Coy Eakin and Kenny Johnson who can all win vertically and move well after the catch. This will be entertaining on Friday.
