Texas Tech harasses Geno Smith, WVU to take 35-7 lead

I'm not surprised by how pitiful West Virginia's defense looked over the first half against Texas Tech, seeing that the Mountaineers' defense has looked pitiful since opening Big 12 play in late September.

Baylor dropped 63 points on WVU. Texas added another 45 points. West Virginia's not built for defense – West Virginia's built for offense, for burying opponents under an avalanche of quick throws, deep throws, short throws, touchdowns.

What's been surprising, as the Mountaineers reach halftime against Texas Tech, is how poorly Geno Smith and the rest of WVU's offense has looked against a defense that struggled slowing down Landry Jones and Oklahoma a week ago.

After 30 minutes, Texas Tech's balanced approach – part quick-strike offense, part suffocating defense – has helped the Red Raiders take a 35-7 lead.

Geno Smith is 19-of-34 for 175 yards and a single touchdown. While Smith has avoided an interception, keeping his turnover-free streak alive, he has looked far more pedestrian than during his jaw-dropping start to the 2012 season.

It's obvious that Texas Tech has learned from watching Baylor and Texas attempts at slowing down Smith and wide receivers Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin.

Baylor sat back, allowing Smith to pick its secondary apart. Texas was far more aggressive. The Red Raiders have followed in the Longhorns' footsteps, harassing Smith out of his comfort zone.

The best quarterback on the field in Lubbock hasn't been Smith, but rather Seth Doege. Texas Tech's starter is 21-of-30 for 336 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The Red Raiders' SaDale Foster put an exclamation point on the first half with his 53-yard touchdown run down the right sideline; Foster simply outran WVU's defense into the end zone, handing Texas Tech its 28-point halftime advantage.