I have watched a whole bunch of Texas Tech football over the years, and in this century in particular have seen plenty of abysmal defense played by the Red Raiders. Consequently, I’m jaded. Thus, when I see a Texas Tech defense that’s actually good enough to lick an offense made up of sick kitties, I tend to get a mite giddy. And maybe that’s why I took a benevolent view of the work defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter did in his first couple of seasons in Lubbock. Many years of watching atrocious Texas Tech defense lowered my standards to the point that merely below-average defense felt like stepping into the warm sunshine after years spent in a cold, clammy cavern.
But now, belatedly no doubt, I’m beginning to feel that old familiar sting of hoarfrost on the back of my neck again. Texas Tech’s 2024 defense, which I honestly expected to be quite good, has regressed dramatically. But what I didn’t realize until after the Red Raiders’ humiliating Homecoming loss to Baylor last night, was just how far the defense had sunk. As already noted, Texas Tech’s defense was no bargain in 2022 and 2023, but right now there are precious few worse defenses in the college game.
Just take a look at current rankings in several key statistical categories, bearing in mind that there are 133 Division One college programs: third-down defense, No. 80; fourth-down defense, No. 90; passing yards allowed, No. 132; rushing yards allowed, No. 92; scoring defense, No. 124; pass defense efficiency, No. 105; sacks, No. 129; tackles for loss, No. 114; total defense, No. 128.
To be fair, the defense has done a reasonably good job of creating turnovers, but that may be the single area in which they even threaten to crest above mediocrity. The rest of those rankings speak for themselves. There’s just no two ways about it; Texas Tech’s defense is scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Texas Tech fans who aren’t wet behind the ears, however, may fancy that they’ve seen an even worse defense sporting the scarlet in black. I speak, of course, of the 2003 defense, coordinated by Lyle Setencich, which established the program’s gold standard for utter helplessness. Fore example, In consecutive losses to Oklahoma State and Missouri, that defense allowed Cowboy running back Tatum Bell to hit for 238 yards and 8.5 yards per carry, and Tiger quarterback Brad “Superman” or was it “Michael Jordan”? Smith to gallivant for 291 yards and 15.3 yards per carry, as well as surrendering another 139 yards to some schlub named Zack Abron. After the debacle in Columbia, Texas Tech had statistically the best offense and the worst defense in the nation. That may have been a first in college football.
Every Red Raider who watched that defense is scarred for life, even though the offense was an emollient that softened those scars somewhat.
I never thought I’d see another Texas Tech defense as bad as that one. But, lo and behold, when one looks at the stats for the 2003 defense and compares them to the 2024 defense, a rather disturbing presence emerges from the miasma of history and fact. I compared the numbers for 11 key statistical measures, and on eight of them, the 2003 defense actually finished above where the 2024 defense currently stands. Only in rushing yards per game allowed, yards per passing attempt allowed, and third-down defense, does the 2024 unit best the putrescent 2003 outfit. In points allowed per game, yards allowed per rushing attempt, passing yardage allowed per game, yards allowed per play, total yards allowed per game, fourth-down defense, sacks per game, and red zone touchdown percentage, the 2003 defense actually outperformed the current defense to this point in the season.
One can defend DeRuyter and his defense by pointing to the injuries to Dylan Spencer, Joseph Adedire and a few defensive backs, as well as the general youthfulness of the defense. However, most defenses suffer a key injury here and there. There’s no distinction in being banged up.
And there’s yet another concern. In 2003 Lyle Setencich was in his first season as Texas Tech’s defensive coordinator, and that fact doubtless prevented his dismissal at the end of the season. Tim DeRuyter, on the other hand, is in his third season. Based upon “getting his own guys in the system,” one would expect his defenses to be improving. Instead, his 2024 defense has fallen off the cliff.
But there are still several games to be played this season. Perhaps DeRuyter can right the ship and finish the season strongly. On the other hand, in 2007, after Setencich’s defense allowed three Oklahoma State backs to rush for over 100 yards, Mike Leach sent his defensive coordinator packing and replaced him with Ruffin McNeill. It’s a rough business these coaches have chosen, and job security is not of its perquisites. I dare say the pressure on DeRuyter is very real at this point, and if we see an utter defensive fiasco in Fort Worth this weekend…
