Texas Tech football hosts Abilene Christian: Scouting report, predictions for 2024 opener

It's finally time for the Texas Tech football team to get the 2024 season started.

The Red Raiders will begin their third year under head coach Joey McGuire playing host to Abilene Christian at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+ inside Jones AT&T Stadium. The game will also be the official public unveiling of the stadium's new south end zone building, which will provide a very different backdrop to the night-time tilt between the Red Raiders and Wildcats .

Preparing for an FCS team like Abilene Christian has proven to be a bit tricky for Texas Tech. Coaches admitted this week that the Wildcats having a new offensive coordinator in Rick Bowie, formerly of Valdosta State, and head coach Keith Patterson (former defensive coordinator at Tech) taking over the defense presents wrinkles the Red Raiders aren't entirely sure about.

What should fans expect to see on the field? Here's a look at all aspects of the game, plus a score prediction.

When Texas Tech football runs

The Red Raiders do, in fact, still have Tahj Brooks , and this game will mark the super-senior's first go at cutting into the Texas Tech record books. Brooks is 1,168 yards shy of becoming the program's all-time leading rusher and going against an ACU defense that surrendered 209 yards per game on the ground last season should move him a bit closer — depending on how long he plays. Who will be blocking for Brooks is still in question, at least on the right side. Locked in are Sterling Porcher (left tackle), Vinny Sciury (left guard) and Sheridan Wilson (center) with some combination of Caleb Rogers, Davion Carter and Ty Buchanan manning the right guard and tackle spots. Expect to see everybody used throughout the game. ACU returns its top two tacklers last season in linebacker Darius Moore (78 stops) and safety Elijah Moffett (76).

Advantage: Texas Tech

More: Best-case scenario for Texas Tech football in 2024 season: Healthy Morton, happy Tahj

When Abilene Christian football runs

ACU lost its top two rushers from a season ago, meaning the team will likely utilize new names. Patterson has tabbed North Texas transfer Isaiah Johnson as the starter in the backfield. The former Lubbock-Cooper product had 37 carries for 229 yards with the Mean Green in 2023. ACU could also use returners Jordon Vaughn (6-foot-3, 235 pounds) and Rovaughn Banks, Jr. (5-10, 190) throughout the game. Banks averaged 6.5 yards per carry last season and Vaughn 5.5. The Red Raiders will be working in a mixture of options on the defensive line, probably deploying about six or seven players at the nose/defensive tackle spots as well as the outside linebacker rotations. Quincy Ledet Jr., (who is listed as questionable as of Monday) and E'Maurion Banks will start in the middle with Amier Washington and Harvey Dyson III getting the nods on the edge. However, you'll see plenty of other names used at those spots as well. Texas Tech gave up 160 yards per game on the ground a season ago while ACU averaged 149 on offense.

Advantage: Texas Tech

More: Worst-case scenario for Texas Tech football in 2024: QB health remains a problem

When Texas Tech football passes

Behren Morton and his shoulder have been perhaps the biggest concern for Texas Tech fans since the 2023 season came to an end. Morton swears he's fine, and isn't trying to prove to anyone that he's good to go, but it will be worth monitoring just how Morton uses his arm in the opener. The grade-3 AC joint sprain prevented him from getting zip on the ball and he avoided throwing to the middle of the field because of it. He'll have a steady stream of targets this season at both receiver and tight end. Teams threw for 244 yards a game against the Wildcats last season.

Advantage: Texas Tech

When Abilene Christian football passes

There are a host of former Red Raiders on ACU's roster, most of them coming in this category. Starting quarterback Maverick McIvor is one of them as the San Angelo native threw for 1,972 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions last season with a 55.7 completion percentage. His top targets very well could be his former Red Raider teammates. Nehemiah Martinez played 35 games in his three years at Tech and he's joined by fellow receiver Trey Cleveland (who first transferred to North Texas last year), Hut Graham (nine catches for 122 yards in 2023) and tight end Jed Castles (25 catches, 241 yards, 3 TDs). Last year's leading receiver in Blayne Taylor (41 catches, 620 yards and 7 TDs) had almost double the amount of catches as the second-leading receiver. Nobody else on ACU cracked 300 yards or had more than three scores a year ago. Those receivers will be matched up against new defensive backfield featuring Bralyn Lux and Maurion Horn at the corners and Chapman Lewis and C.J. Baskerville occupying the safety positions.

Advantage: Texas Tech

Texas Tech vs. Abilene Christian: The specialists

Record-breaking punter Austin McNamara is gone, so it'll be Weber State transfer Jack Burgess who handles those duties for Texas Tech this year. Kicker is still to be decided but both Gino Garcia and Reese Burkhardt will have their opportunities to win the job outright until one of them separates from the other. Another former Red Raider is at punter for ACU in Grant Nickel , who averaged 43.29 yards per boot last season. Ramsey Kyle, ACU's kicker last season, is gone, so we'll see who takes that distinction on Saturday.

Advantage: Texas Tech

Score prediction: Texas Tech 48, Abilene Christian 17

Texas Tech football vs. Abilene Christian

Who: Abilene Christian at Texas Tech

When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock

Rankings (CFP/AP/USA TODAY AFCA coaches poll): Texas Tech unranked

Streaming: ESPN+

Last season: Texas Tech 7-6 (Independence Bowl champions); Abilene Christian 5-6

Last meeting: Texas Tech 20, Abilene Christian 0 (Sept. 10, 1949)

Fast fact: ACU is coached by former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Keith Patterson and features several for Red Raider players, including quarterback Maverick McIvor and receivers Trey Cleveland, Nehemiah Martinez and Hut Graham.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football hosts Abilene Christian: Scouting report, predictions for 2024 opener