The 2024 Liberty Bowl features the 8-4 Texas Tech Red Raiders against the 6-6 Arkansas Razorbacks. Here is the 2024 Liberty Bowl Preview.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech won eight games, including three of their last four games to make a bowl game. They defeated four bowl-eligible teams this season: North Texas, Arizona State, Iowa State and West Virginia. All four of their losses were to teams who qualified for bowl games.
The Red Raiders score 39.6 points per game, ranking sixth in the country. They pass for 298.1 yards (ranked ninth) and rush for 161.9 yards per game (ranked 67th).
Behren Morton has had a good season at quarterback for the Red Raiders. He has passed for 3,335 yards, 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 63.3 percent completion. Four players have at least 300 yards on the season. Josh Kelly was the leading receiver, but he is opting out. Caleb Douglas and Coy Eakin will need to step up after having 762 and 605 yards respectively.
Tahj Brooks has been a star at running back for the Red Raiders. He rushed for 1,505 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. If he opts out, a lot of production will be needed from Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams, who had 151 and 113 rushing yards respectively this season.
On defense, the Red Raiders have given up 34.5 points per game, ranking 121st in the country. They allow 305.3 passing yards and 148.1 rushing yards per game. Jacob Rodriguez leads the team with 118 total tackles. He also leads the team with five sacks. Maurion Horn has five passes defended this year.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas won six games to make a bowl game this season. They defeated one team that was above .500 this season: Tennessee. Their lone loss to a team that didn’t make a bowl game was to Oklahoma State.
The Razorbacks score 30.3 points per game, ranking 48th in the country. They pass for 269.2 yards (ranked 22nd) and rush for 181.8 yards per game (ranked 41st).
Taylen Green transferred in from Boise State to play quarterback for Arkansas. Green has passed for 2,813 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 60.8 percent completion. Four players have at least 300 receiving yards in the portal. Andrew Armstrong is opting out and Luke Hasz is in the transfer portal. That means Isaiah Sategna and Isaac TeSlaa, who had 491 and 439 yards respectively.
Top running back Ja’Quindon Jackson is opting out for this game, which means Green is the top rusher on the team from the quarterback position with 521 yards. Rashod Dubinion and Braylen Russell will have increased roles after rushing for 335 and 304 yards a piece.
Defensively, the Razorbacks allow 24.9 points per game, ranking 69th. They give up 244.2 passing yards and 121.1 rushing yards per game. Xavian Sorey Jr. leads the team with 89 total tackles. Landon Jackson had 6.5 sacks, but he is opting out of the bowl game. T.J. Metcalf has been good in the secondary with seven passes defended and three interceptions.
Prediction
Arkansas had a great season, but several of their key players are opting out or entering the transfer portal. Texas Tech will have more firepower offensively, so they can keep the score out of reach from Arkansas who won’t have plenty of offensive starters.
Texas Tech Red Raiders 38 Arkansas Razorbacks 34
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