Texas Tech's balanced offense poses problems for WVU's defense

Nov. 27—MORGANTOWN — Texas Tech gets a lot of praise for its defensive front seven, and how aggressive it is. Between Heisman Trophy hopeful linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, and defensive end David Baily, the defense draws a lot of attention.

The offense has flown under the radar, but it's still the best in the Big 12 and third-best in the country. Texas Tech is blowing out teams, providing a big challenge for West Virginia's defense Saturday.

Offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich's offense starts with its tough Texas-born quarterback Behren Morton. Morton is Texas tough as they say. He's been injured multiple times this season, but has played through it, leading the Red Raiders to be ranked No. 5 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, and the favorites to win the Big 12.

"He's clearly a tough kid, " defensive coordinator Zac Alley said. "I think he's got either some kind of stress fracture or fracture in his leg or something. He's playing through it. You can't make anything up higher than having guts. That dude has got guts and he plays like it."

While injured, Morton averages 235 yards per game, which is the fourth-most in the conference, and is the most accurate passer.

Morton is a game manager. He's an experienced quarterback that's led the Red Raiders to a 10-1 record this season. In the Red Raiders' one loss, Morton didn't play.

Morton is what you want in a quarterback, and knows that if he doesn't make costly mistakes, the defense can take care of business on the other end.

"I think he throws the ball really well, " Alley said. "He tears apart zone coverage. He finds the holes, finds the windows, and they do a great job of getting guys open schematically."

Morton doesn't lead the Big 12 in passing touchdowns or yards, though, because the Red Raiders' offense is balanced, and has a talented rushing attack, too.

Texas Tech uses two backs, and both have a bit different skillsets.

The starter is sophomore Cameron Dickey. Dickey has rushed for the third-most yards in the Big 12 (944), and the most rushing touchdowns with 13, which is why Morton doesn't have a lot of passing touchdowns.

Alley isn't the best with names, so he's No. 8.

"No. 8, my analyst has compared him to Ray Rice, " Alley said. "If that makes you feel better. It didn't make me feel better. But, anyways, he's really patient. He's a great visual runner. He can find holes and allows blocks to develop. It's kind of a one cut downhill and can run you over and outrun you, too."

Then, there's the more pass catcher back, sophomore J'Koby Williams. Williams has 27 catches for 362 yards and two touchdowns. He also has 647 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Alley refers to him as No. 20.

"No. 20 is the other back that they use, " Alley said. "He's kind of more of a scat back, get him in space, outside run game. Those types of things. He gets one step, and he's gone every time. He's got one step speed."

Leftwich's offense isn't anything WVU's defense hasn't seen, although it may seem daunting. He uses a face-pace tempo, just like Rich Rodriguez and WVU. The Mountaineers' defense has been preparing all season to face Texas Tech's offense, playing against WVU's offense.

It's just a case of whether WVU can make up for talent with practice that'll be key.

"They're a good team, " linebacker Reid Carrico said. "They got a lot of good players. But I think over the second half of the season, we've gotten a lot better. I think that we're a lot better than what we normally get credit for. We'll do everything we need to do to prepare."