UPSET: Texas Tech BLOWS OUT Utah, BYU & Iowa State LOVE IT, Joey McGuire In College Football Playoff

Summary

In this episode of Locked On Big 12, Drake Tol breaks down Texas Tech's impressive 34-10 win over Utah, calling it one of the best performances in the program's history. Highlighting key moments such as backup quarterback Will Hammond stepping up, Tol criticizes Utah's underwhelming play and quarterback Devin Dampier’s struggles. Despite some penalties and turnovers, Texas Tech’s dominance was clear, with their physicality overpowering Utah. Tol also discusses the future of the Big 12, with Texas Tech positioned as a top contender. As the season progresses, the Red Raiders are primed for a playoff push.

Takeaways

• 😀 Texas Tech emerged as the dominant team in the Big 12 after their 34-10 victory over Utah.
• 😀 Texas Tech’s defense, never seen before in Leach's teams, stood out in this game, highlighting their physicality.
• 😀 Will Hammond, Texas Tech's backup quarterback, outperformed starting QB Baron Morton, with two touchdowns and an impressive 13/16 passing performance.
• 😀 Utah's QB Devin Dampier underperformed and was not as effective as anticipated, despite being hyped pregame as a Heisman contender.
• 😀 Utah’s offensive line, touted as one of the best in the country, struggled to contain Texas Tech’s defense and didn’t look elite.
• 😀 Despite penalties (14 for 122 yards), Texas Tech dominated statistically, outgaining Utah 484 yards to 263.
• 😀 The road environment at Utah, often feared to be a challenge for visiting teams, didn’t impact Texas Tech, who won comfortably by 24 points.
• 😀 Texas Tech is being positioned as the top team in the Big 12 this season, potentially making a run for the college football playoff.
• 😀 Utah may still end up with a solid record (8-9 wins) and remains a strong team in the conference but was exposed by Texas Tech's superior play.
• 😀 Future matchups for both teams, including BYU and West Virginia for Utah, and Houston and Kansas for Texas Tech, will be pivotal in shaping the Big 12 standings.
• 😀 The host encourages betting on Texas Tech’s success, having personally placed a winning bet on them via FanDuel’s promotional offer.

Q & A

What was the key takeaway from Texas Tech’s win over Utah?

The key takeaway is that Texas Tech showed dominance, winning 34-10 on the road against Utah. Despite being underdogs, Texas Tech proved they are possibly the best team in the Big 12, with a strong defensive performance and solid offensive play, especially from backup quarterback Will Hammond.

How did Texas Tech perform in terms of penalties and turnovers?

Texas Tech struggled with penalties, committing 14 for 122 yards, and had two turnovers, both involving their starting quarterback Baron Morton. However, the team was able to overcome these mistakes, and the game could have been an even more dominant 45-10 victory if not for those errors.

What role did Will Hammond play in the game against Utah?

Will Hammond, Texas Tech's backup quarterback, played an important role by stepping in for Baron Morton. He threw two touchdown passes and completed 13 of 16 passes for 142 yards, with an impressive 10.5 yards per attempt. His performance was superior to Morton’s in this game.

What was the performance of Utah’s quarterback Devin Dampier?

Utah's quarterback Devin Dampier underperformed in the game. Despite having open receivers, he struggled to connect and execute, leading to disappointing results. The hype surrounding him before the game, including claims of him being a Heisman contender, was not justified by his play.

What did the host think about Utah’s defensive performance?

Utah's defense was solid for three quarters of the game and was praised for its performance. However, the defense eventually wore down under the physicality of Texas Tech, which scored a dominant win despite Utah’s strong defensive efforts.

How did Utah’s offensive line perform against Texas Tech?

Utah’s offensive line, which was touted as one of the best in the country by head coach Kyle Whittingham, was overwhelmed by Texas Tech’s defense. The line struggled to protect quarterback Devin Dampier, leading to an overall ineffective offensive performance.

What does this game suggest about Texas Tech’s chances in the Big 12 this season?

This win suggests that Texas Tech is a serious contender for the Big 12 championship. With a strong defense and emerging quarterback talent, they have the potential to dominate the conference, especially if they clean up penalties and turnovers.

What did the host predict for Utah's future games?

The host predicted that Utah would still have a successful season, potentially finishing with 8-9 wins. They are expected to win upcoming games, including their road trip to West Virginia and home games against Arizona State and BYU, but they need to address key weaknesses to stay competitive.

What are the expectations for Texas Tech’s upcoming games?

Texas Tech is expected to continue their strong performance in upcoming games, including victories against teams like Houston, Kansas, and Arizona State. The toughest challenge will be facing Kansas State and BYU, but Texas Tech is favored in these matchups as well.

What impact did this game have on the host's view of Texas Tech’s chances in the College Football Playoff?

The host believes that Texas Tech's performance in this game, particularly their physicality and dominance against Utah, solidifies their place as a potential College Football Playoff contender. Texas Tech's season is just beginning, and they have the tools to make a deep run, possibly making it to Arlington for the Big 12 championship.