JUST IN: Grading Texas Tech Joey McGuire’s Second Season

The Texas Tech head coaching position became available in 2022, but the Red Raider program lacked enthusiasm. The Matt Wells period was devoid of inspiration and replete with heartbreaking defeats. Prior to that, Kliff Kingsbury had a 7-0 start to the 2013 season and went on to end with a 28-40 record over the next five or so seasons. He also did not make the most of one of the best quarterback skills in history. For two and a half seasons, the team refused to field anything like to a collegiate defense, thus spectators were left with eye-popping stats and very few victories. McGuire, then, jumped into the season with a lot of vigor and changed the Red Raider program right away in its first year. In Lubbock, there was potential for a significant increase going into the 2023 season. Although Texas Tech’s season fell far short of its potential, it wasn’t a complete failure. What rating is appropriate for Joey McGuire’s second season?

THE HIGHS

As November arrived, Texas Tech’s record was at 3-5. Its third-string quarterback had to start games. With four games left, the schedule included two rated opponents. It seemed impossible to win a bowl game for the third time in a row in 2023. However, McGuire rallied his squad for a late-season surge, just like he did the previous year. On a Thursday night, after defeating TCU, they went up to Lawerence to play the 19th-ranked Jayhawks. Playing with its third-string quarterback for the first time, Kansas lost 16–13 against the Red Raiders. In retrospect, the Texas game appeared much more daunting than it was at the time. To be eligible to play in a bowl game, Texas Tech needed to defeat UCF. There was nothing on the stat sheet to divide the two sides in a game where each were 5-5. However, the Knights’ late missed PAT was sufficient for the Red Raiders to win 24-23.

After losing to Texas, Texas Tech recovered well, defeating Cal 34–14 in the Independence Bowl. McGuire has an 8-2 overall record in November and December over his two seasons. McGuire has really shined when it comes to recruitment. The official 2024 recruiting rankings are set, as the spring national signing day has just passed. According to 247 Composite rankings, the class placed 24th overall, with the program’s first-ever five-star recruit, Micah Hudson, leading the way. In the same rankings, the 2023 class came in 28th place nationwide. The Red Raiders have only signed back-to-back top-30 ranked classes twice in their history.

THE LOWS

There was really just one chance for a marquee victory after the team defeated Oklahoma and Texas in the same season for the first time ever in school history. That was against the Oregon Ducks in week two. But, the game lost some of its momentum after falling to Wyoming in an overtime match to start the season. However, the squad that faced the Ducks in the opening three quarters appeared ready to contend for the Big 12. Red Raider supporters witnessed a scene in the last fifteen minutes of play that, regrettably, occurred far more frequently this season. Texas Tech began 0-2. A two-score advantage vanished into the Lubbock night.

Texas Tech had a rough September, losing to West Virginia 1-3 before anyone could even begin to comprehend what had happened. Even worse, Tyler Shough suffered a season-ending leg injury in the West Virginia game. Additionally, it was the first game in which the offensive play-calling was questioned. In 2023, Tahj Brooks, a running back, was among the top players in the nation. However, in a number of defeats, the offense appeared to have forgotten to pass the ball to their finest player, particularly when it mattered most. Even though Zach Kittley is the offensive coordinator and calls the plays, McGuire is still responsible for making the required in-game adjustments.They lost badly in the regular season as well, losing 57-7 to the playoff participant after traveling to Austin.

Joey McGuire’s Second Season Final Grade

Red Raider fans will probably view this season differently if seasons one and two are reversed. In his first two seasons as Texas Tech’s head coach, McGuire has won 15 games. The 2008–2009 season was the last in which a Texas Tech coach won 15 games or more in a row. The second year saw some beneficial stability and improvement, but there was nothing particularly outstanding on the field. It had been several years since a Red Raider squad started a season full of high hopes. And those sprang from every corner of the country’s media.

Therefore, from a micro perspective, the “fall” of a seven-win 2023 season seems far worse than it does from a macro perspective. This season, this squad has been competitive in 12 of the 13 games. They lost three of their five games by a single point. It is obvious that McGuire is constructing a structure in Lubbock. However, there was too much meat on the 2023 bone that was tossed away for a fan base that has been yearning for excitement and victory.