Texas Tech is entering the season as the defending Big 12 champions, and the Red Raiders looked poised for another title after boasting an overwhelmingly strong roster.
Texas Tech enters the season as the defending champion of the Big 12 and it was not particularly close for the Red Raiders to make the climb to the conference throne.
With the exception of a lone loss in Tempe to the then-reigning champion Arizona State, Texas Tech dominated challengers week after week before culminating in a repeat thrashing of BYU in the title game.
This display has put the Red Raiders at the forefront of the Big 12 in the minds of many ahead of the latest campaign. While opinions favor this squad to hoist the trophy again, there are cold-hard facts that back up Texas Tech's supremacy.
According to rankings from CFP Depth, Texas Tech had nearly double the number of players rated over the "Above Average" range than other programs in the Big 12.
An eye-popping 33 Red Raiders hit the prestigious mark, while somewhat surprisingly Oklahoma State and Colorado trailed in second at 19.
Despite being the biggest rival last season and assumed main challenger to the the Red Raiders' reign this go-around, BYU appeared near the bottom of the rankings with 13.
The other main foes presumed to give Texas Tech the biggest fight, Utah and Houston, sprinkled in throughout the list. However, the Cougars from U-of-H were the closest to the Red Raiders with 18 over average ratings.
Some of the notable names for Texas Tech to break into the upper echelon included superb tight end Terrance Carter Jr., linebacker trio Austin Romaine, John Curry and Ben Roberts, corner Brice Pollock and preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year AJ Holmes Jr.
Evidenced by the Buffaloes and Cowboys' spots on the list, numbers go only so far toward the actual goal of winning games and competing for a Big 12 crown and beyond.
However, the glaring disparity between Texas Tech and the remaining field is so grand that it would be ignorant to dismiss any potential it holds in the chances of claiming another title.
Given the experience of the Red Raiders following their absolutely domineering performance just a year ago and a reloaded group that continues the trend of bolstered rosters in Lubbock, it is very likely these ratings are a looming indicator of what is to come.
If the season does not quite play out the way that Texas Tech hopes, it obviously will not be due to the lack of talent flowing through the locker room in Lubbock.
The wait for the anticipated season for Texas Tech will soon be over and the rest of the Big 12 will find out firsthand if the Red Raiders are all gassed up or if they are in for another overwhelming outing once again.
