Tech has a strong RB group but the O Line is hammered dog shit and their backs can't get any lanes to run through. Tech's QB1 (Shough) is out because he hurt the same shoulder in game 1 as he did against Texas last year. QB2 (Smith) started the last two games and thrown 5 INTs including two pic six. His decision making skills are still in development which is not helped by the shit OL not giving him any time. Both his arm and running abilities are above average but again, hampered by questionable decisions leading to missed opportunities
This is not the same Tech defense everyone jokes about. They are a solid group that flies around to the ball. Front seven are pretty good (depending on the above mentioned injury report) but depth is a concern. Corners and safeties are average and probably the weak link on the defense. The group overall tackles better than previous iterations of the alleged 'defense' but still whiffs on open field tackles from time to time and still gets burned by the wide-receiver screens.
Special teams is a joke constantly giving up good returns on kicks and fucking up on punt receiving which gives the offense poor starting field position, i.e. inside their own 10 which exasperates the issues on offense. Oh and when they do get a nice return, it is typically negated by some idiotic holding call. Field goal unit is questionable with two different kickers to have struggled.
McGuire holding on to his time outs and not going for the win was a real head scratcher. Also, he put in QB3 (Morton) on the last couple of series. Of course, he was moving the ball then promptly threw an INT.
This year Tech probably struggles to win five games. With some better OL help and a healthy, experienced QB, they will likely do much better next year. I would think Texas wins by double digits.