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Just a bit of personal news. I’ve got shingles. I know what you’re thinking, “Seth, you’re not old.” Well, I’m 52 and I should have gotten the vaccine, but I didn’t. I think I was able to catch it relatively early, get some medicine, and think I have a mild case. The pain level is negligible, more annoying than painful, but it is near my eye and need to get that addressed apparently. I have not scratched anything yet, so that’s good. I also think I’m on day 5 or 6 of this thing. Of course this sort of stinks considering we are in a short week, but I’ll do my best. Just know that if I don’t get things done, I have a decent excuse.

Also, on Friday night, Youssouf and Fitsum each play their respective roles with Kaufman High School and there’s a zero chance I’m going to be able to watch the Houston vs. Texas Tech game until sometime on Saturday. I am thinking that you can expect a 10 Things on Sunday, just like always.

At the Net

Texas Tech Volleyball: Graystone dismissed as head coach of Texas Tech Volleyball

Texas Tech Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt announced Sunday the immediate dismissal of head volleyball coach Tony Graystone.

Hocutt has appointed associate head coach Alisa Blair as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season. This is Blair’s fourth season at Texas Tech as she arrived after serving one year as the head coach at Abilene Christian in 2022. Current assistant Mikayla Ell will serve as interim associate head coach for the remainder of the season as well.

This deserves a bit of discussion. Nathan Giese has pointed out on twitter/x that this isn’t that strange of a move considering that the portal will open up a week after the season ends and to hold on to Graystone until the end of his contract, which was 2026, would put the new coach just another year behind in terms of the new coach finding players. The volleyball team is 6-2, but has had a difficult time putting away teams that aren’t that great, there’s no reason not to get a jumpstart and find a coach who can find players and the program can move onward and upward. As mentioned, these are not my original thoughts, but the thoughts of Mr. Giese, and it makes a ton of sense. This probably isn’t some sort of conspiracy (leaving the door open for the possibility, but not assuming the worst). I’d also add that this is basically the Matt Wells move and Texas Tech is accustomed to that.

On the Field

Texas Tech Cross Country Kimaru wins Dr. Steve McCleery Invite

Texas Tech cross country runner Titus Kimaru won the NMJC Dr. Steve McCleery 8k Invite running a time of 23:34.87 Friday morning at Harry McAdams Park.

In a field featuring 59 runners, Kimaru blazed through the course with a two-minute and seven second win ahead of the next closest runner. Kimaru registers his second-straight win of the season as he came out on top in last weekend’s 5k at the Cowboy Preview to open the year.

On the Gridiron

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Nathan Giese: Oregon State shows Texas Tech football’s true defensive weakness

Some will attribute this to the absence of Brenden Jordan, the Red Raiders’ veteran safety who was supposed to anchor the secondary and call the action for his teammates. That, plus replacing a proven veteran like Cole Wisniewski with younger players who lacked game experience, are easy crutches to latch onto.

ACU didn’t dissect the Red Raiders in Week 1, but it certainly provided the blueprint for how to attack the Texas Tech defense. The pass rush is slow, not nearly as elite without David Bailey and Romello Height, giving quarterbacks enough time to find the easy throws. Oregon State, though, has legitimate athletes, and the Beaver receivers made their living simply outrunning Red Raider cornerbacks and safeties.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams: Texas Tech football report card: Win’s a good thing, but not everything

Overall: C
Joey McGuire finally checked off the box for winning a non-conference road game, but not as easily as a team defending conference champion and CFP team should. A loss or losses are on the horizon if the Red Raiders don’t get better in a hurry.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams: Two wins don’t mask Texas Tech football shortcomings | Williams

I said in the off-season there’s no way the 2026 Texas Tech defense can be as good as the 2025 version. That’s captain obvious stuff. Joey McGuire disagrees — I think genuinely so, because he always believes the best. However, at no point last year was a Tech pass defense burned to the degree it was Saturday, when Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson threw for 399 yards and Jesse Legree had 8 catches for 240 yards.

That’s a sophomore QB and a freshman receiver, no less.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Nathan Giese: Biggest takeaways from Texas Tech football escaping Oregon State

J’Koby Williams is your No. 1 running back, plain and simple
Of course, it’s not that simple, but it should be. Having a committee of three backs sounds good in theory, until you’re rotating them willy nilly to feed everyone, even when one has clearly been the best option. J’Koby Williams is that option. He ran for a 38-yard touchdown on one drive, then didn’t see the field on the next series, a three-and-out with two short runs by Quintent Joyner.

Red Raider Sports’ L. Jordan: McGuire Provides Terrance Carter, Trey White Injury Updates

McGuire provided updates on two key players, starting with tight end Terrance Carter Jr.

“Sprained foot. Hopefully he’s available. I think we should know something like Tuesday or Wednesday, and then we’ve got to start putting out the injury reports. He’ll be on it.”

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams: Texas Tech football Q&A: Red Raiders undefeated, far from perfect

Q: How concerned are you about the lack of pressure on the QB? Do you see your offensive struggles related more towards your QB or Leftwich?

DW: Tech pressured Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson pretty consistently. They sacked him only once, but they pressured him and knocked him down a lot. (Example: Atkinson didn’t see his 75-yard touchdown pass to Jesse Legree, because Jamond Mathis had him wrapped up, on the turf.) That’s what made Atkinson’s performance (413 yards, 2 touchdowns) so impressive. He’s a sophomore who showed he can stand in, feel the heat, and/or take a hit and deliver accurately.

As for the offensive struggles, it’s a combination of the line not being dominant and Will Hammond not having spring practice and summer workouts. All those missed reps matter, especially with so many new receivers.