UH faces another deep, reloaded Texas Tech defense in a crucial Big 12 opener

In last year’s meeting, the University of Houston faced a Texas Tech defense with six future NFL draft picks.

A year later, UH coach Willie Fritz expects another formidable challenge from a Red Raiders defense that returns several key pieces from their Big 12 championship team and added several impact transfers.

“They’ve got a really, really talented defensive line,” said Fritz, whose No. 23 Cougars open Big 12 play against the No. 13 Red Raiders on Friday in Lubbock.

Texas Tech (2-0) returns second-team All-America defensive tackle A.J. Holmes and fourth-year starting linebacker Ben Roberts, the defensive MVP in last year’s Big 12 championship game. The Red Raiders opened the season with wins over Abilene Christian and Oregon State. 

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Texas Tech has some major holes to fill from a defense that was third nationally last season, allowing 11.8 points per game, and played a major role in the Red Raiders’ run to the College Football Playoff. 

Six defensive players were taken in the NFL draft, including four in the first three rounds. Edge rusher David Bailey, who had an FBS-leading 14 ½ sacks, was the No. 2 overall pick and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, Tech’s leading tackler the past two seasons and a winner of multiple national awards, was drafted in the second round. Also drafted were defensive tackle Lee Hunter, edge rusher Romello Height, safety Cole Wisniewski and defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard.

But Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said this summer that the Red Raiders could be better because of their depth, which includes seven defensive tackles with college experience.

Holmes, who began his career at Houston, was voted the Big 12’s preseason defensive player of the year.  Among the Red Raiders’ biggest transfer portal additions were nose tackle Mateen Ibirogba and edge rushers Adam Trick and Trey White. 

Trick had 8 ½ sacks and 12 ½ tackles for losses at Miami (Ohio) last season, while White had 19 sacks and 29 TFLs the past two seasons at San Diego State. White, who hasn’t played this season due to a knee injury, is expected to be a game-time decision, ESPN reported Monday. Ibirogba, a Wake Forest transfer, was one of the top interior defensive linemen in the portal. 

“I think throughout the nation that we’re slowly earning that respect that, hey, we play defense in Lubbock, Texas,” Holmes said this summer.

NO. 23 UH AT NO. 13 TEXAS TECH

When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Galaxy Stadium, Lubbock
TV: Fox
Radio: 950 AM

In last year’s 35-11 loss at TDECU Stadium, UH quarterback Conner Weigman was under constant pressure and missed the final 2 ½ quarters with a concussion.

UH addressed its offensive line this offseason, adding left guard Shadre Hurst, a preseason All-America selection, center Anthony Boswell and right tackle Drew Terrill, who is expected to play after missing most of the first two games with a lower-body injury. Left tackle Alvin Ebosele and right guard McKenzie Agnello are the only returning starters on the offensive line.

“We think we’ve brought in some really good guys,” Fritz said.

Along with improved play on both lines of scrimmage, Fritz said the Cougars have to avoid self-inflicted errors.

“We’re going to have to play a really clean game and can’t make simple mistakes,” Fritz said. “This is by far the best team we’ve played so far.”

Through two games, Texas Tech’s defense is still finding its footing. The Red Raiders are allowing 17 points per game and rank in the bottom half in FBS in total defense (303 yards per game) and passing defense (268 yards). Their run defense ranks 13th nationally, allowing 65 yards per game. UH ranks No. 1 at 10 yards per game after holding Southern to minus-6 yards in Saturday’s 77-6 win.

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This article originally published at UH faces another deep, reloaded Texas Tech defense in a crucial Big 12 opener.