Here we go, some defensive grades after a high scoring affair in Lubbock.

Defensive Line: C-

Look, the pass rush has just not been there this year. Coach DeRuyter loves to blitz, but right now it feels like a necessity to do so. This group, helped by the linebackers, has been good against the ground game and the mobile quarterbacks (besides Wazzou). Overall, we need more from this group but it feel good to see a Texas Tech defense really stop the run. It makes teams one dimensional, and against a lot of Big 12 teams the quarterbacks won’t be able to beat you.

Linebackers: B

Jacob Rodriguez and Ben Roberts continue to be everywhere on the field. Their weakness is their coverage skills are not elite, but they are run and scramble stoppers as elite as any in the nation. They have good instincts, make big plays, and go hard to cover the length of the field. This unit continues to be the best of the defense.

Secondary: D-

I would give this group an F if it was not for A.J. McCarty’s pick-six. There is a lot of injuries piling up with this group, and it shows. But the effort needs to be better next week or Arizona might torch this team.

Coaching: C

It is hard to judge the veteran DC. This defensive squad gets better seemingly every week, but managing these injuries is almost impossible. The blitzes have been largely well timed, and some of the communication and penalties have been cleaned up. There has been a few odd alignments, but overall without a healthy secondary I am just not sure how to call the cleanest game.