Life in the Big 12 can seem almost impossible for defensive coordinators. It is unrealistic for any defense, regardless of how good, to completely shut down the high-powered offenses it faces every week.
That is why defensive coordinators around the league place such a high emphasis on their red zone defensive packages. This year, Texas Tech has been one of the best teams in the nation in coming up with stops in the red zone.
Currently, Tech ranks No. 26 in the nation by allowing no points on 23.8% of red zone possessions. That is good for third in the Big 12, one spot behind Texas and five behind Oklahoma State.