Matador Report

Texas Tech’s unbeaten season ends with a 37-24 loss at Cincinnati, and Aaron Dickens and Chris Level don’t sugarcoat it. They break down a game in which the Red Raiders trailed 24-6 at halftime, gave up big rushing yards after allowing so little all season, committed a long list of penalties, and couldn’t turn red zone trips into touchdowns. They also dig into the offense’s struggles, Will Hammond’s performance, and even a rough day from the punter. Then they step back. Is this one bad day or a sign of something bigger? They talk about the sport’s weekly chaos, what Texas Tech needs to fix with five games left, a huge Big 12 test against Arizona, how the Big 12 race looks now, and whether Joey McGuire’s staff needs a spark or a change. They also react to Baylor firing Dave Aranda.

Will Hammond just played what may be the best half of football of his Texas Tech career against Arizona State. If that’s the quarterback the Red Raiders get the rest of the way, is Texas Tech losing a gameAaron Dickens and Chris Level break down why the next month of opposing defenses looks very different from the ones Hammond saw early in the season, and why Cincinnati’s pass defense, which has allowed 275-plus yards through the air four straight games, could give him plenty of room to work this weekend.
 
They also talk about the high expectations that come with a five-star recruit, why Micah Hudson has been under a microscope that others haven’t, and why quarterback may be the position where a five-star ranking matters least. Plus, Hammond’s finger roll celebration, a few Joey McGuire stats, and why Aaron and Chris think perception of McGuire still lags behind reality.
 
Then it’s on to a big Big 12 weekend: Houston at Utah, BYU’s trap-game trip to UCF, and a Kansas State-Arizona State matchup that could feature two backup quarterbacks. They also dig into Kenny Dillingham’s four-hour post-loss meeting and what Arizona State’s quarterback situation says about the program.

Texas Tech heads to Cincinnati on Saturday for an 11 a.m. kickoff. Aaron Dickens and Chris Level preview a Bearcats team that’s lost back-to-back games but is built on a strong offensive line and ground game. They break down how that matchup runs into Texas Tech’s front seven, why Cincinnati’s defense has been among the Big 12’s worst at giving up explosive plays and third-down stops, and what the Red Raiders’ offense can do with Will Hammond and Jacoby Williams. They also talk about Cam Dickey’s recovery, Cincinnati’s red zone numbers and slow starts, and the viral injury cart moment from the Cincinnati-West Virginia game.
Then they turn to the future of college football. The 24-team College Football Playoff looks all but certain, and Aaron and Chris discuss what that means for the Big 12 and Texas Tech, including weeknight playoff games, what happens to the weekly rankings show, and the SEC suddenly preaching parity. They also weigh in on what it would mean for the Big 12 Championship Game to go away, what commissioner Brett Yormark said about a replacement “tent pole” event, and how a champion would be decided without a title game.

Texas Tech moves to 6-0 and 3-0 in the Big 12 with a blowout of Arizona State, leading 43-10 at the half. Aaron Dickens and Chris Level break down the fast start, from the 4th and 1 gamble on the opening drive and Will Hammond’s push to convert, to J'Koby Williams’ big runs, Kenny Johnson’s great day and a pick-six that changed the game. They also credit the offensive line and Mack Leftwich’s playcalling, and talk about whether the bye week made the difference.They also make the case that it’s time to stop worrying about the eye test: Texas Tech is 18-2 in its last 20 games and 13-1 in its last 14 Big 12 games, and they argue the program has moved past needing a knee-jerk reaction after every misstep. Plus, they praise a defense that hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown all season, with sacks coming from all over the defensive line.Then it’s on to a historic day in college football, with only six undefeated teams left in the power conferences, three of them from the Big 12. They react to BYU-Notre Dame, Houston’s win over Oklahoma State, Utah’s close call at Colorado, and the fallout at Baylor after the loss to TCU. They finish with a look ahead to Saturday’s game against Cincinnati.

Joel Klatt says Oklahoma State has a better chance than Texas Tech to make the College Football Playoff. Aaron Dickens and Chris Level push back, breaking down why the Cowboys are getting extra credit for the Oregon win (and overlooking the 335 rushing yards allowed to West Virginia), and why Texas Tech’s second-half performance looks a lot like last year’s despite the grind. Then it’s on to Saturday’s game against Arizona State. They preview Kenny Dillingham’s Sun Devils, how Arizona State’s aggressive man coverage could test Texas Tech’s receivers, and which playmakers beyond Terrence Carter and J'Koby Williams need to step up. They also weigh in on the uncertainty around Thomas Castellanos’ eligibility.
Plus: who in the Big 12’s top seven doesn’t belong, a look at Houston-Oklahoma State and the Baylor-TCU rivalry games.

The bye week is over, and Texas Tech returns to face the Arizona State team that handed the Red Raiders their only Big 12 loss in the last season and a half. Aaron Dickens and Chris Level preview Saturday’s game, including why Joey McGuire says Tech was out-coached last time, what to expect from Kenny Dillingham’s Sun Devils, and why Will Hammond’s comfort level matters more than anything else on offense.They also look at the injury picture: Cam Dickey is out, Thomas Castellanos’ availability is uncertain pending a court hearing, and Texas Tech is preparing as if he won’t play. That raises the question of who gets the short-yardage and goal-line carries, with Terrence Carter, AJ Holmes and Moose all in the mix.Plus: a look at one of the biggest weekends in the Big 12 this season, with Notre Dame at BYU, TCU vs. Baylor, and what it all means for the league’s playoff hopes and a possible second CFP team.