Texas Tech vs. Utah | Learning from both sidelines - Get my BEST updates delivered to your inbox.

Coach -

#17 Texas Tech and #16 Utah square off in a battle of contrasting styles—one built around tempo and precision in the pass game, the other anchored by physicality and fundamentals up front. Beyond the scoreboard, each staff offers teaching points you can take straight to your own practice fields.

Mack Leftwich – Slot Option Quick Game

Video: Slot Option

Leftwich’s slot option became a core part of his system because it matched his personnel and created consistent results.

🔑 Coaching Takeaways:

Teach receivers to attack leverage: if the defender is outside, break inside; if inside, break out.

Stress the slant as the big-play option—create space with pace and widening stems.

Give the quarterback freedom to manipulate defenders with his eyes and take the high-percentage throw.

💡 Use It: In your own quick game, identify one route concept that best fits your receivers. Rep it until it becomes automatic, and teach the QB how leverage dictates the throw.

Jim Harding – Blocking Movement in the Run Game

Harding prepares his linemen for the stunts and pressures that now show up in over a third of snaps.

Video: What Happens When the Defense Starts to Move

🔑 Coaching Takeaways:

Train eyes to the near knee of the playside defender—it reveals whether movement is coming inside or away.

Use short, choppy steps (“scrub the grass”) to stay balanced and react quickly.

Stay square with shoulders to avoid opening soft surfaces for penetration.

Strike with hands—“you control blocks with hands.”

💡 Use It: Add a five-minute daily drill period where your OL sees simulated twists, scrapes, or slants. Emphasize pad level and staying square over simply winning the rep.

Takeaway

This week’s game will be decided by execution—but, it’s also a chance to study two teaching models. Leftwich shows how to marry scheme to personnel for maximum efficiency, while Harding demonstrates how to hardwire rules that hold up against defensive chaos. Both offer lessons you can clip, teach, and install tomorrow.

Enjoy the games!

Coach Grabowski & the CoachesClinic Team