Possibilities. Joey McGuire has options at quarterback in his initial period with Texas Tech.
What a sensation that ought to be in Lubbock, huh?
The Purple Raiders have an understanding of that the 7-6 season of 2021 is now a point of the earlier. It’s a new yr, with new team and new offensive personnel top the demand into the impending marketing campaign. Things will not be quick early on possibly with games versus Houston, N.C. Condition, and Texas to kick off the period.
Then once more, should Donovan Smith or Tyler Shough shine early, possibly there’s rationale for optimism. And you should not think that McGuire is seeking for a quarterback levels of competition going into 7 days 4 of the time.
“I would like to at least say, ‘Hey, this guy’s in the guide,’ by the conclude of spring, or even name a quarterback, just for the management element,” McGuire claimed, by way of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal following spring exercise.
The struggle would’ve probable ceased if Shough stayed balanced final drop. When coming over from Oregon, the expectation was he’d be ready to operate Matt Well’s pro-design and style offense with minimal setback on a new campus.
To an extent, he did. Shough threw for 872 yards and 6 touchdowns from a few interceptions. A broken collarbone in 7 days 4 from Texas allowed the doorway to open for Smith.
The relaxation? Very well, that is heritage.
Smith amazed in nine video games and 4 begins. The Las Vegas native threw for 1,181 yards and seven touchdowns against a pair of interceptions even though finishing 61.2 percent of his passes. In a 34-7 Liberty Bowl acquire over Mississippi Point out, Smith was named Offensive Participant of the Game after accounting for 282 complete yards and two touchdowns.
Both quarterbacks are setting up new with the new offensive personnel in the constructing. It is a cleanse slate that will not likely damage Shough’s chances due to an unlucky personal injury. It also will not acquire away from the achievement of Smith on the way to the program’s 1st successful time considering that 2015.
New offensive coordinator Zach Kittley returns to Lubbock just after generating record with Western Kentucky. Immediately after signing up for the program pursuing his results as Houston Baptist’s offensive coordinator, he reunited with previous Huskies QB Bailey Zappe.
Zappe would not go down in background as a Heisman finalist or countrywide winner. He does, on the other hand, hold the FBS single-period report in passing yards (5,977) and passing touchdowns (62) formerly established by Tech’s B.J. Symons (5,833 yards) in 2003 and LSU’s Joe Burrow (60 TDs) in 2019.
Adaptability is important to play the placement at a superior level. Shough usually takes the edge as Kittley’s unfold-style offense will be his 3rd in 3 seasons to master. He also possesses a much more exact deep ball.
Then all over again, you can find the mobility part of Smith that adds additional to his circumstance of staying the team’s starter. Smith averaged 2.8 yards per endeavor, but also scored a few touchdowns on the floor. A person location McGuire will continue to have to establish is the offensive line, which permitted 24 sacks a season ago.
There is just not a wrong decision for the Red Raiders. Shough or Smith could probable defeat Murray Point out at dwelling. Heck, they may possibly be capable to defeat Houston a 7 days later on.
It really is on the lookout at the larger photo. The meeting image. Which quarterback supplies the most effective possibility to get in Week 4? 7 days 6? Week 10?
McGuire may well have the respond to currently. If he won’t, he has 7 weeks to clear up the equation.
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