The #17 Texas Tech Red Raiders offense is one of the reasons why they are 3-0 to start the season. However, they have also shown that they have one of the best defenses in the country despite facing inferior opponents through the first three weeks of the season.
The Red Raiders defense is going to be tested on Saturday on the road against the #16 Utah Utes. Texas Tech has a couple of future NFL players on its defensive line. What makes this Red Raiders defensive unit difficult to play against?
Texas Tech Red Raiders are Difficult to play against in the Run Game
Shehan Jeyarajah of CBS Sports wrote about how the Red Raiders, and the Utes have built their rosters over the last couple of seasons. Texas Tech has been building its roster through the transfer portal, and it appears as if it is paying off on the defensive side of the football. Jeyarajah said about Texas Tech's defense at this point,
"The greatest gains have come on the defensive line, where the Red Raiders brought in four future NFL Draft picks (David Bailey, Lee Hunter, Romello Height, Skyler Gill-Howard). So far this year, Texas Tech has allowed just 1.5 yards per carry and 41 yards per game through three matchups, trailing only BYU for best in the nation."
To go along with just only giving up 41.7 yards per game on the ground, they are only giving up 231.0 yards per game. This team has also sacked the quarterback nine times in the first three games. There is no doubt that this defensive line is going to be tested against a very good Utes offensive line.
This game is going to be won in the trenches. If the Red Raiders can stop Utah's ground game and win the line of scrimmage, then there is a chance that they leave this game with a 4-0 record.
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