As the Texas Tech Red Raiders gear up for their College Football Playoff showdown with the Oregon Ducks, all eyes are on a matchup that pits one of the country’s most explosive offenses against one of the nation’s stingiest defenses. It’s a classic strength-on-strength battle-and it’s got the makings of a must-watch Orange Bowl.
Under offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich, Texas Tech has turned into a scoring machine this season. The Red Raiders didn’t just move the ball-they lit up scoreboards. While they’ve had their hiccups, particularly in the red zone, this is still an offense that knows how to find the end zone and do it in bunches.
Just how potent has Texas Tech’s attack been? Let’s take a look at the national landscape heading into the Orange Bowl.
The Red Raiders rank second in the country in scoring offense, putting up 42.5 points per game. That’s not just good-that’s elite company.
Here’s how the top 10 shakes out:
- North Texas Mean Green - 45.1 points per game
- Texas Tech Red Raiders - 42.5
- Indiana Hoosiers - 41.9
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 41.8
- Utah Utes - 40.9
- Tennessee Volunteers - 40.8
- South Florida Bulls - 40.5
- Vanderbilt Commodores - 39.4
- Oregon Ducks - 39.2
- Ole Miss Rebels - 37.5
That’s right-Oregon, the team Texas Tech is about to face, is also in the top 10. So while the Ducks are known for their defense this year, they’re no slouch offensively either. This game could turn into a high-octane chess match where every possession matters.
Now, zooming out just a bit from the playoff picture, there’s something else here that’s worth noting-especially for fans of the Big 12. North Texas sitting atop the scoring charts at 45.1 points per game?
That’s not just a trivia nugget-it’s a storyline. Eric Morris, who helped build that high-powered Mean Green offense, is now in Stillwater, Oklahoma, tasked with reviving the Oklahoma State Cowboys' attack.
That move could have ripple effects across the Big 12. If Morris can bring even a fraction of that offensive firepower to Oklahoma State, the Cowboys could be a serious threat next season. Combine that with BYU’s continued rise and Houston’s 10-win campaign, and suddenly the Big 12 is looking like a deep, competitive conference from top to bottom.
As for Texas Tech, they’re not going anywhere. With a system that’s clearly working and talent to match, the Red Raiders are poised to remain a force.
But the margin for error is shrinking. The conference is getting stronger, and the arms race on offense is heating up.
First things first, though: the Ducks await. And if the Red Raiders want to keep their season alive, they’ll need to bring every bit of that 42.5-points-per-game firepower to Miami.