UH faces another deep, reloaded Texas Tech defense in a crucial Big 12 opener
The Red Raiders lost six defensive players to the NFL, but their depth could make Friday's matchup another major challenge for the Cougars.
The University of Houston football team anticipates a formidable challenge from Texas Tech's revamped defense in their upcoming Big 12 opener. The Red Raiders defense boasts several returnees from last year's championship team, including second-team All-America defensive tackle A.J. Holmes and starting linebacker Ben Roberts, who was named defensive MVP in the 2021 matchup.
This year's defense also features several impactful transfers, such as nose tackle Mateen Ibirogba and edge rushers Adam Trick and Trey White. Texas Tech's defensive coordinator, Joey McGuire, believes the team could be better due to their depth, with seven defensive tackles possessing college experience. The Red Raiders, who were third nationally in allowing points per game last season, have several key players drafted, including NFL selections David Bailey and Jacob Rodriguez.
Despite facing a strong defensive unit, UH coach Willie Fritz is confident in his team's abilities and stresses the importance of avoiding mistakes during the crucial game.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Everything Texas A&M HC Mike Elko said ahead of SEC opener in Week 3 sports.yahoo.com