Introduction to the Big Game
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Dan Lanning made a feeble attempt to match Joey McGuire on the humility meter this week at the Orange Bowl by noting both had started out as high school coaches, but he was in over his head. Lanning once drove 13 hours to talk Todd Graham into rescuing him from his high school job. He went on to work for Mike Norvell, Nick Saban and Kirby Smart, a pretty good start on this century’s Mount Rushmore of coaches.
The coach McGuire cited this week as his mentor? Robert Woods, who hired him at Crowley. He credited Gina Farmer, athletic director much of his two decades at Cedar Hill, where he won three state titles, with teaching him to keep the kids first.
Then he slipped this in near the end of Wednesday’s final presser before the biggest football game in Texas Tech history on New Year’s Day: “For Joey McGuire,” he said, “an ol’ high school coach, to be able to coach in this game and bring the Red Raiders in the College Football Playoff, it’s pretty cool.”
Understanding the Game’s Significance
Perfect. Now all he has to do is beat Oregon and advance to next week’s semis in Atlanta, because there’s no going back from here.
The storylines of both Tech and McGuire dovetail nicely. Both got a late start on this CFP thing. The Red Raiders filled the Big 12 vacuum left by Texas and Oklahoma and looked every part the best team in the state in the process.
Tech earned the fourth seed with a defense that gave up only 10.9 points a game. Beating BYU twice was good, too.
Competition and Expectations
But let’s face it: This wasn’t the high-flying Big 12 of years past. A nice league, but it’s not the SEC or Big Ten. Or at least that’s the consensus.
Don’t get me wrong, the Red Raiders deserved their bye into the quarterfinals. But now they’ve stepped up in competition. This is their chance to prove they didn’t take advantage of a lesser league.
Beating Oregon, a Big Ten power with a considerable CFP history, would make a good case that these aren’t the same old Red Raiders in a different dress.
Coaches’ Perspectives
Right, Shiel Wood? “Every team that’s left in the College Football Playoff,” Tech’s defensive coordinator said, “is an outstanding team with outstanding coaches and outstanding players. Oregon’s got a great outfit. It’ll be a really good, stiff test for us.
“But it’s a tremendous opportunity for our players and our university on a national stage, and we’re excited about it.”
McGuire gets it, too, in case you were wondering. He was reminded in cards, letters and emails from long-suffering Tech boosters, alumni and former players after they won their first outright conference title since 1955.
Game Strategy and Player Performance
This is where McGuire probably doesn’t get enough credit. Twenty-five million buys a nice roster these days. Twenty-two Red Raiders were voted one Big 12 award or another, but the league’s coaches voted BYU’s Kalani Sitake Coach of the Year.
If you ask me, the Orange Bowl comes down to how well Behren Morton plays. Tech’s defense is at least as good as Oregon’s, which gave up 34 points to James Madison. Morton isn’t a hundred percent, but he probably hasn’t been that since high school.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
Beat Oregon, and Tech will go at least as far as Texas did last year; where Oklahoma hasn’t gone in five years; where Texas A&M hasn’t been in the CFP era. The Red Raiders made a statement in winning their first Big 12 title. They can make a bigger one Thursday.
Do that, and McGuire may have to retire his “ol’ high school coach” bit. No need for him or Tech to try to sandbag anyone if they get past the quarterfinals. They’d better. You can’t be the poster school for the new NIL era if you can’t prove winning pays, too.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the upcoming game between Texas Tech and Oregon is a significant event in the College Football Playoff. The Red Raiders have made a statement by winning their first Big 12 title, and they can make an even bigger one by beating Oregon. With a strong defense and a healthy Behren Morton, Tech stands a good chance to win. If they do, they will go at least as far as Texas did last year and prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the CFP era.
FAQs
Q: What is the significance of the game between Texas Tech and Oregon?
A: The game is significant because it is a College Football Playoff quarterfinal match, and the winner will advance to the semifinals. It is also a chance for Texas Tech to prove themselves against a strong opponent from the Big Ten.
Q: What is the key to Texas Tech’s success in the game?
A: The key to Texas Tech’s success is the performance of their quarterback, Behren Morton. If he can play well and move effectively, the Red Raiders stand a good chance to win.
Q: What does the game mean for Joey McGuire and Texas Tech?
A: The game is a huge opportunity for Joey McGuire and Texas Tech to make a statement and prove themselves on a national stage. If they win, they will advance to the semifinals and have a chance to compete for the national championship.
