Got a question about this Saturday’s game between Texas State and Texas Tech? Ask it here.
The Bobcats enter the game fresh off a 30-13 win at the University of Houston, while the Red Raiders took Northwestern State to the cleaners (44-6 win).
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. inside Bobcat Stadium.
What is the biggest hurdle the cats will have to overcome this weekend? Do you think the Media flood will overall affect their game on Saturday?
As much as you’d think it’s something Texas Tech will do, Texas State must conquer its own emotions. This will be a big game. The Bobcats never played a home game in front of 32K people. They will be fired up, but can’t get TOO excited and try to force things. Texas State didn’t force things against Houston — and look what happened.
The increased media exposure hasn’t been on the Bobcats’ minds. The coaches did a great job of centering the players’ minds on this game.
After the UH game, I’m more impressed with our defense than I’ve been in a while. How much more do you think we’ll be challenged by the TT offense and any way we can hold them to under 30 points?
Compared to Houston’s offense, Texas Tech is on another level. The Red Raiders return a senior quarterback who threw for 4,004 yards in 2011 and have all of their receivers back, including Darrin Moore who gave the Bobcats fits last year (12 receptions, 221 yards). The Cougars had to break in a bunch of new parts, including their quarterback.
Can Texas State hold Texas Tech under 30 points? It’s possible if the Bobcats play at an even higher level than they did against Houston. In order to do that, Texas State must be physical and pressure Red Raiders QB Seth Doege more than it was able to last week against Cougars QB David Piland.
If our number #35 ranking (I’m joking) and seeing trees for the first time in months (not joking) doesn’t intimidate the Red Raiders, what will? If we could somehow hinder their passing game, could they beat us on the ground? Should we be hoping for rain?
Texas Tech isn’t a team that’s going to beat anybody on the ground. If the Bobcats ground the Red Raiders’ air attack — and I mean, ground — Texas State wins the game.
To answer your last question, the Bobcats should hope for torrential rain, gale-force winds and locusts. No one likes locusts.
Last year the Bobcats had success running the ball until the TT defense figured our passing game was not a threat. How do you think the coaches will adjust their offensive game plan this year?
Texas State will probably use the same game plan it used against Houston last weekend — run, run, run, run, high-percentage pass, run, run, run, high-percentage pass, run, run, run — or some variation. Shaun Rutherford had an entire year to mature, so he’s more of a threat passing the ball than he’s ever been. Tyler Arndt should also see some time against the Red Raiders, so that helps the passing game a bit.