The backup quarterback forced into action for Texas Tech was nothing but ready for his chance on Saturday.
Will Hammond entered off the bench and threw for two second-half touchdowns while helping the Red Raiders earn one of the more impressive victories of the weekend — a 34-10 win at Utah.
Texas Tech’s defense was dominant from start to finish in the contest, and Hammond’s preparedness allowed Texas Tech to outscore Utah, 24-7, in the fourth quarter to turn what was a tight contest into a lopsided score.
For that, Texas Tech is up to No. 14 on my AP Top 25 ballot this week. This is the third straight year I’m a voter for the AP Top 25 and each week throughout the season I’ll post my vote in addition to some thoughts about how I settled on it. First, here is my ballot:
1. Miami (4-0)
2. Ohio State (3-0)
3. LSU (4-0)
4. Oregon (4-0)
5. Penn State (3-0)
6. Georgia (3-0)
7. Florida State (3-0)
8. Indiana (4-0)
9. Georgia Tech (4-0)
10. Texas A&M (3-0)
11. Oklahoma (4-0)
12. Iowa State (4-0)
13. Vanderbilt (4-0)
14. Texas Tech (4-0)
15. Texas (3-1)
16. Ole Miss (4-0)
17. Tennessee (3-1)
18. USC (4-0)
19. Michigan (3-1)
20. Notre Dame (1-2)
21. TCU (3-0)
22. South Florida (3-1)
23. Missouri (4-0)
24. Mississippi State (4-0)
25. Memphis (4-0)
— Let’s begin with that Texas Tech defense.
Standout linebacker Jacob Rodriguez had a team-high 11 tackles while defensive linemen David Bailey and Skyler Gill-Howard were too much for Utah’s offensive line to handle even with pro prospect Spencer Fano anchoring the Utes’ front.
Bailey had a sack and Gill-Howard had a tackle for loss.
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier couldn’t get in rhythm and threw two interceptions. Texas Tech is giving up only 11.3 points per game and 56.3 rushing yards per game through its first four contests. With their D-Line’s toughness, it’s going to be very difficult for opponents to move the ball against them.
That defense is why I catapulted Texas Tech from unranked on my ballot a week ago to No. 14 this week. I also wanted to see Texas Tech against Power Four competition before I moved them up on my vote, and the Red Raiders delivered.
— There were some significant adjustments beyond Texas Tech that I made this week.
Miami moved up from No. 2 on my ballot last week to No. 1 now, propelling ahead of Ohio State.
The reason for that is simple. Miami has three quality wins. The Hurricanes have beaten two Power Four opponents in Notre Dame and Florida as well as the early season’s top Group of Five squad in South Florida.
Ohio State has only one Power Four win and that came against Texas in Week 1.
— Similarly, to Texas Tech, I wanted to see what Indiana would look like against competition from its own league.
The Hoosiers got five touchdown passes from Cal transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and crushed Illinois, 63-10, for Indiana’s largest-margin victory over a top-10 opponent in school history.
Indiana also racked up seven sacks in the win.
For its first marquee victory of the season, I moved up Indiana from No. 25 on my ballot last week to No. 8 this week.
Greg Madia
gmadia@dailyprogress.com
@GregMadia on X
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Greg Madia
UVa Sports Reporter
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