Day 41 we remember The Red Raiders only win of non-conference last season. That would be a 41-3 drubbing over far outmatched Tarleton State. Going 1-2 in noncon is just bad, it sets the season up for disaster right out of the game. That hole is a tough one to climb out of, and with a far weaker nonconference schedule this year, the expectation should be 3-0.

That game last season followed of course the disaster at Wyoming, and the choke job against Oregon. In both games Texas Tech had legitimate shots to win, and threw both games away. Nonconference is a tough time of the year, facing opponents you are not familiar with and trying to manage the excitement/rust that comes with a new year.

But Tech this year is not playing on the road against a quality mid-major like Wyoming, or taking on a playoff hopeful like Oregon. A trip to a stripped for parts Wazzou poses the only threat, and this should be an expected 3-0 start.