Texas Tech offense: better, worse or about the same? Why?

The offense should be better as long as quarterback Patrick Mahomes progresses like they think he’ll progress, then the offense is going to be significantly better.  The big problem with the offense last year was turnovers, largely too many interceptions from Davis Webb, and all the pieces are in place for an offensive unit that returns all but one starter at offensive line, returning all but one receiver, and a running game that was really terrific, at least by Texas Tech’s standards. 

A lot of Texas Tech fans see RB DeAndre Washington having a bigger role because he may be the best offensive player on the team.  Washington is dynamic, can break long runs, and runs between the tackles well.  At the receiver spot, Jakeem Grant is the leading returning receiver Texas Tech fans are hopeful that Ian Sadler, Devin Lauderdale, Reginald Davis and Dylan Cantrell will be household names at the receiver spots next year.  

Texas Tech defense: better worse or about the same? Why?

Considering this was one of the worst units in the nation, there’s no where to go but up.  All kidding aside, yeah, this team returns almost everyone and with a new defensive coordinator in David Gibbs, hopes are high. Gibbs comes from Houston, where he emphasized turnovers as a big part of the success of the defense and he preached that most of the spring. 

Texas Tech does get transfer LB Mike Mitchell from Ohio State, who should start at one linebacker and Micah Awe will be much better than you expect at another linebacker spot.  On the edge, Branden Jackson and Pete Robertson return to rush the passer and Robertson made a huge jump from his sophomore to junior year, while Jackson added a ton of weight over the off-season last year and I’d guess that he’s a lot more comfortable with that size and weight this year. 

The entire secondary pretty much returns and there were times where Texa Tech was starting three true freshmen, two of them at cornerback, Nigel Bethel and Tevin Madison.  Again, theoretically, with so many true freshman receiving snaps last year should mean some improvement.  Fingers crossed.

You buying or selling this team in 2015? (How many games they winning this year?)

I’m buying, but only because I thought that Texas Tech was close in a handful of games last year that were close, and I’m expecting that some of those close games turn Texas Tech’s way this season. 

With Mahomes returning and Davis Webb giving Texas Tech a more than capable quarterback duo, I think there’s a ton of improvement offensively that can happen.  I don’t know what to think about the defense, I’m taking a wait-and-see approach, but I do think the defense will be improved. 

I think this team will be better, but improving from 4-8 isn’t saying a ton.  I think an over/under win total of 6.5 would be about where this team is currently at and I’d take the over, but I’m ridiculously optimistic.

Seth Jungman of Staking The Plains provided the information for our Texas Tech Football 2015 Spring Wrap Up. For more Texas Tech football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Seth on Twitter @stakingtheplain.