While many fans find sixth year Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury hot, his coaching seat is hotter with another losing season in 2017. Coming into his sixth season, Kingsbury is 30-33 overall and 16-29 in the Big 12 and while his offenses have been fun to watch, the record is ugly and the clock is ticking on his time at Texas Tech.
Baylor 2018 regular season win total
Over 5.5
Under 5.5
Odds courtesy of BetDSI Sportsbook
What Happened Last Year
The 2017 season got off to a hot start with three straight wins, including ones against Arizona State and Houston before dropping a close game against Oklahoma State. But after crushing Kansas things went downhill fast for the Red Raiders with four straight losses. Texas Tech managed to get six wins and go to a bowl game, but another losing season left little to cheer about for the Red Raiders.
What Will Change This Year
There will be a new quarterback under center and the battle will be a good one in Lubbock. With Kingsbury’s track record of finding and coaching up quarterbacks, the three person battle could very well feature a future NFL Draft pick.
Junior JUCO transfer McLane Carter, sophomore scrambler Jett Duffey and true freshman Alan Bowman of Grapevine, Texas all saw significant time during the spring game, which was won by the defense.
Another change should come in the defense in that there will be no change. The Red Raiders return their top seven tacklers and top two pass rushers with defensive linemen Eli Howard (5.5 sacks) and Tony Jones (four sacks). A good defense could be just what Texas Tech has needed to climb out of the Big 12 basement.
Outlook & Prediction
Texas Tech is poised for another 3-0 start with three straight home games against Ole Miss, Lamar and Houston. In Big 12 play, the Red Raiders should have a sure fire win at home against Kansas, but things get tough when looking for a fifth and sixth win.
Home games in what look to be toss ups against West Virginia and Baylor bodes well for Texas Tech, but the road will be bumpy with trips to Oklahoma State, TCU, Iowa State and Kansas State.
The Red Raiders are a lock for four wins and five is likely as they host the Mountaineers and Bears, but six will be tough and another losing season will have Texas Tech fans seeing red and perhaps a new coach next year.
