Texas Tech’s Defense Needs Less Gimmicks and More Results

I was reading that the Texas Tech Defense has a new slogan and it really kind of stuck in my craw. First off, I don't want to criticize them. I like this team enough that pointing out silly stuff they do is kind of like spanking your favorite child. I'm just among a growing number of individuals who think they need to prove themselves on the field.

So this year, the Texas Tech defensive line is all growing beards to prove they're "different creatures." They also have a new slogan: "MOB," which stands for Money or Blood.

Let's look at these from a critic's standpoint. It's great that there's team unity on the line, and maybe it will mean that they'll have each others backs. But beards don't get you wins.

Then, there's the "Money or Blood" thing. What does that even mean?  Well, according to one player it means they're going to "get paid, get some wins or we're going to die out there." Ummm, "get money"? I don't get it. This just seems to be another hollow meaningless trendy phrase like "swagger." I never really got the "swagger" thing either.

I don't think you can walk around cocky when you give up an average of 34 points a game.

Let me make this clear: the people of Lubbock and the true fans will stand behind Texas Tech, but that has to come from on-field performances and the heart they put into the game, not because they have a new slogan for yet another run of t-shirts.

So until we've earned the phrase "Money or Blood" or bonded over beards, let's stick with one of two slogans. Either no. 1 Tackle, or no. 2 Win.