Opposing Player to Watch vs. Texas Tech: SaRodorick Thompson

Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells is now three games into the second campaign of his Red Raiders coaching career. Lubbock has historically been home to one of college football’s most prolific offenses every season, and Wells’ system has been no different. In his inaugural year at the helm, Tech had produced the seventh best passing offense in the country in regards to yards per game. This success came without star QB, Alan Bowman as he was limited to playing only three games in 2019 due to a shoulder injury.

Bowman is now “back” and the Red Raiders’ offense looks as frightening as ever. Back is not definitive because the junior QB is now nursing an ankle injury and is listed as day-to-day as of Wednesday afternoon. He will likely play on Saturday according to multiple reports, but there is no telling how effective he will be. This season, in games one and two he through for 761 total passing yards and seven combined passing touchdowns, until getting banged up early against Kansas State last Saturday.

Iowa State will have quite the defensive task on its hands, as it will also have to stop an special running back in SaRodorick Thompson. Thompson is was takes the Texas Tech offense to another level. This is much like how the running game has been used in Lincoln Riley’s Oklahoma offense, which the Cyclones did a terrific job of slowing down. When the Red Raiders’ running game is rolling it opens the play action for Bowman, further opening the offense as a whole. Thompson’s 118 yards and then 104 yards in weeks one and two along with four total touchdowns led to Matt Wells’ offense exploding for 89 total points through two games. Last week was Xavier White’s turn as, Thompson’s counterpart finished having a better game with 12 carries for 113 in a 21-31 loss.

Both backs are talented, but it seems that Thompson has the edge on the depth chart, as he has earned more consistent carries. Each back is also very active in the passing game, combining for 14 total receptions through three games, and I think both players are what makes this Tech offense flourish. If John Heacock and Matt Campbell are able to concoct a defensive game plan focused on limiting both backs starting with SaRodorick Thompson’s involvement in the offense, I think the Cyclones would find great success Saturday afternoon.