The Tech Defense Nobody Saw Coming (Including Me)

Alright, I need to eat some crow here. Publicly. In front of everyone.

In August, I wrote in my preseason notes — which I keep in a notebook like a psychopath, according to Jake — that Texas Tech’s defense would be their Achilles heel. I thought the secondary was suspect. I thought the linebacker depth was thin. I thought they’d give up 30 points a game and have to outscore everyone.

I was wrong. Like, really wrong.

The Tech defense this year was genuinely elite. Top three in the Big 12 in basically every category that matters. And I don’t throw that word around lightly. Elite means elite. This defense was elite.

Let me walk through what I got wrong, because I think it’s important to be honest about misses.

First, Jacob Rodriguez. I knew he was good. Everyone knew he was good. But I didn’t think he’d be THIS good. Defensive Player of the Year good. First-round pick good. The guy was a one-man wrecking crew in the championship game. Two sacks, eleven tackles, constant disruption. BYU’s offensive line had no answers.

I went back and watched the film — yes, all of it, Jake thinks I’m insane — and what stood out was how Rodriguez diagnosed plays before they developed. There’s a third-quarter run where BYU tries to run a stretch zone to the weak side, and Rodriguez is already there before the running back even gets the handoff. That’s not athleticism. That’s film study. That’s preparation.

Second thing I got wrong: the secondary. I thought losing some pieces from last year would hurt them. Instead, they got better. The communication improved. The tackling improved. They stopped giving up those backbreaking 40-yard completions that killed them in 2024.

Third thing: Tim DeRuyter’s scheme. I’ve been critical of DeRuyter in the past. Thought he was too conservative, didn’t generate enough pressure, relied too much on coverage. This year he adjusted. More aggressive on early downs. More creative blitz packages. More trust in his corners to play man coverage.

The BYU game was a masterpiece of defensive game planning. They took away the quick throws that BYU loves. They made Jake Retzlaff hold the ball. And when he held it, Rodriguez and the defensive line made him pay.

Here’s a stat that blew my mind: BYU averaged 2.8 yards per carry in the championship. 2.8. Against a team that ran for 150+ in like eight games this year. Tech’s front seven completely dominated.

So yeah. I was wrong. The Tech defense wasn’t a weakness. It was the reason they won a championship.

Jake has been insufferable about this, by the way. He keeps texting me screenshots of my preseason predictions with crying laughing emojis. I deserve it. I do.

Jake’s note: HAHAHAHA. I told you. I TOLD YOU. But no, “Jake, you’re being a homer, Tech’s defense can’t stop anyone.” WHO’S THE HOMER NOW MIKE.

Look, I still think I was right to be skeptical based on the information available in August. But the information changed. The team improved. And I should’ve updated my priors faster.

That’s on me.

Credit to Joey McGuire. Credit to Tim DeRuyter. Credit to Jacob Rodriguez and every single player on that defense.

You earned it. Even if it pains me to admit it.

— Mike

P.S. — This doesn’t mean I think Tech beats Notre Dame. That’s a different conversation. But the defense is legit. I won’t doubt them again.

Jake’s note: “I won’t doubt them again” SCREENSHOT. SAVED. FOREVER.