Let's talk about the Red Raiders. Saturday afternoon the Texas Tech Red Raiders beat the Houston Cougars 63-49. While it wasn't exactly the performance defensive coordinator David Gibbs was shooting for, the real talk about the game was true freshman quarterback Alan Bowman. Bowman went for a Big 12 freshman record 605 yards, 5 touchdown passes, and 43/59 passing attempts and completions. While quarterback McLane Carter is in the picture to soon start after suffering from an injury, can Bowman press to secure a first-string start?

Back in week one, Carter exited the game early with a high ankle sprain against Ole Miss at NRG Stadium. Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury gave Bowman the thumbs up to finish the game. Bowman did alright going for 29-49 and a touchdown toss. In week two, Bowman shared reps with Jett Duffey and Colt Garret in a beatdown over FCS Lamar 77-0. Bowman had two touchdown passes and 282 yards passing. However, it was yesterday that truly convinced me, personally, that Bowman is the man with the plan. With 2-0 Houston riding into town with the country watching on national television, it would be fair to say Bowman probably was pretty nervous. Tech fans were already waiting on the Cougars to come into town after the university's superfluous call to not allow Tech to wear white jerseys for the Celebrate Cotton game. Another reason to be anxious for Houston to come to the Jones is their defense that tore apart Kevin Sumlin and Arizona and the fact that Houston was almost ranked. The 63-49 victory was a upset that gave Tech fans more than a feeling. And Bowman did not fail us. After a rather slow first half, Texas Tech came alive and slowed down the Houston offense and silenced Ed Oliver and the Cougars' defense. At the end of the game, Bowman had compiled the Big 12 freshman throwing yards with 605 yards. Bowman surpassed Texas Tech's very own Patrick Mahomes to break the record. The thing that didn't get me wasn't the five touchdown passes. It was the fact that Bowman has not thrown a single interception so far this year.

With Bowman starting in both week 2 and 3, can Carter OR Duffey take away the starting spot now? Going on Duffey's side of the ball, he won't get the starting job but he may try to fight for the number two spot. After watching what he has done off the field and watching him play part of the second half against Lamar, he still has a long way to go. He missed so much football that he needs to develop like the rest of the quarterbacks. I know it sounds a bit inaccurate, but Duffey is just way too young. Not age wise, but maturity wise. Simply, he's not ready. Maybe his senior year he can be a contender for the starting job, but not now. Now to the junior McLane Carter. While he had some appearances in the 2017 season, the game that convinced me he wasn't the real deal was against Texas at DKR-Memorial Stadium. After Nic Shimonek's poor performance in the week before against TCU, Kingsbury announced that Carter would be starting against UT. Carter started out pretty alright with one rushing touchdown but that's as far as he gets to amazingness. It took Shimonek in the fourth quarter to convince me that Shimonek himself could outshine Carter. That's when I said, "If you get outpassed by Shimonek, then I have no passion for you." Carter finished the game 16/37 passing, 237 yards and two interceptions. If it wasn't for Shimonek, I would not even be writing this article but alas, here I am. Carter starting against Ole Miss wasn't really a mistake, but a second chance for him. However, even before he got hurt, I was bored. Like, bored to where I thought watching the game wasn't worth it. Even though Bowman couldn't totally get Tech back in the Ole Miss game, his performance is what you expect out of a FRESHMAN. Carter may get a chance if he returns, say, in the second half against Kansas if Tech is blowing them out of the water and Bowan starts that game. If not, then Kliff needs to trust his freshman to develop into a top threat in the Big 12.

I know that Bowman will make mistakes and that he is the youngest of the quarterback corp. I attended the game yesterday at the Jones (By the way, sitting directly by the Houston band and their fans drove me insane.). His arm needs to become stronger so he can become more consistent on those long passes or simply short passes that goes over the wide receiver's head. But Bowman has the wide receiver group that he needs. Pairing up with Antoine Wesley and T.J. Vasher, Bowman can become elite and also the quarterback that Tech needs to compete in the Big 12. One thing I noticed yesterday was his option reads. He needs to not be scared and fake the ball to his 'back and run up field. His accuracy is not exactly on point either, but if you saw his deep-ball shot connection to Wesley, you'll believe that he can resurrect the Air Raid offense Tech is famously known for. Regardless of how he ends up, he will eventually become another great Red Raider QB and I can assure you no matter how decent Carter looks, Bowman has the talent that Tech needs to win ball games. With the help of a strong halfback group, a talented wide receiver corp, and a defense that will give the offense a break when they need it, this may just be the season that proves the Kliff can hop back on the horse and lead to Tech to greatness. Of course, if Bowman doesn't start, Bowman will prove his way past Carter and Duffey and show that he can be a true leader. Red Raider nation, don't give up on Tech yet, because this is just the beginning. Wreck 'em Tech, and march on Alan Bowman!