Tony Thomas
Writer
A strange thing happened at the Big 12 Championship Game. The No. 11 BYU Cougars, fueled by faith and football, scored on their opening possession of the game, then seemingly disappeared while being dominated the rest of the way by No. 4 Texas Tech in a 34-7 Red Raiders victory. It was the Red Raiders’ 12th win of the season by 20 points or more.
It was Texas Tech’s first Big 12 title in school history. The Red Raiders represented the sixth different Big 12 champion in the last six seasons.
Quarterback Behren Morton threw two touchdown passes, and Cameron Dickey added a rushing touchdown for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech kicker Stone Harrington added four field goals.
Arguably the best defense in college football, Texas Tech held BYU scoreless for three quarters. From the second quarter on, the Red Raiders put a stop to a feeble attempt by the Cougars to derail Tech’s best season in 17 years.
Texas Tech took advantage of four BYU turnovers, turning them into points, as the Red Raiders booked their trip to the College Football Playoff (CFP) and will enjoy a first-round bye.
The stifling defense of Texas Tech held BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier to 100 yards under his season passing average. Bachmeier finished with 115 yards through the air, two interceptions and 59.3 percent completion percentage. In addition, Bachmeier had hands of stone covered in butter as he fumbled three times and lost one.
Texas Tech linebacker Ben Roberts picked off two of Bachmeier’s passes to kill BYU drives. It was the first time that a player had two INTs in a championship game, and Roberts was named the game’s MVP.
Linebacker and Heisman hopeful Jacob Rodriguez led the Red Raiders with 13 tackles in the game. As a team, Texas Tech spent so much time in the BYU backfield today that it was criminal. At the line of scrimmage, Texas Tech dominated the Cougars’ offensive line and busted through for eight tackles for loss.
Football is fun in Lubbock, TX. Coach Joey McGuire is an outstanding football coach who does not get talked about or praised enough. He and his staff have coached and developed the Red Raiders to an elite gridiron juggernaut with a competitive advantage that very few teams accomplish. Their fellow CFP brethren better watch out.
Tony Thomas
Writer
The Oregon Ducks defense pillaged the championship aspirations of Texas Tech from their competitive psyche
Tony Thomas
Writer
Two talented defenses will battle for supremacy in the Orange Bowl
The No. 5 Oregon Ducks (12-1) defeated No. 12 James Madison (12-2) in the first round of the College Football Playoff. However, if the team that was seen in the second half shows up in the Orange Bowl, they won’t beat Texas Tech
