Chris Level: I'm not sure you can point to any one thing because Texas Tech is still struggling to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks and get takeaways but forcing three punts and a field goal attempt on the road is improvement.

If I could give David Gibbs' defense one thing, it would be an elite edge rusher. I get the fact that most teams could use such a player but that would help this group more than most. The two third-down conversions in Manhattan when you had Jessie Ertz dead to rights were painful to watch and that changed the game.

The tests are about to be a lot tougher but Gibbs' use of the "Penny Package" on third downs has really improved Tech's chances of getting off the field as evidenced by a 12 of 32 conversion rate for KU and KSU.

The Red Raiders need more improvement with everything they are doing but their work on third downs is certainly something to build on.

Aaron Dickens: I think the biggest change that I've noticed over the last two games, compared to the first three, is how much better the Red Raiders are at handling adversity within four quarters of football.

We saw Texas Tech's defense crumble in Tempe after a forced turnover was overturned due to penalty. We saw the group fold in the second quarter against La. Tech after the team's offense came up empty.

That hasn't been the case in the last two games. The defense stood firm against Kansas - yes, I know, it was Kansas - when the Red Raider offense was struggling. David Gibbs' group buckled down in Manhattan and didn't crumble after Pat Mahomes' pick-six or the kickoff return for a touchdown.

To me, that is substantial progress that, if it continues, will translate into wins this season.

Will McKay: Texas Tech has vastly improved in downfield passing defense over the last few weeks. In fact, the longest completion given up to Kansas State was 17 yards, while the longest pass given up to Kansas was 13 yards. You may roll your eyes at that, but realize this: West Virginia allowed passes of 37, 26, and 19 yards to Kansas State two weeks ago. TCU gave up completions of 67, 32, and 23 to Kansas last week.

David Gibbs wants his defensive backs to keep everything in front of them, and he's willing to give up some things underneath as long as the secondary doesn't give up big plays through the air. Seeing as the Red Raiders were handing out chunk passing plays left and right through the first three weeks, I think it's certainly noteworthy that Tech's at least shown some improvement downfield defensively. We'll see if it sticks against West Virginia.

Matt Clare: I think the biggest improvements have come from the front seven, whether it's more in game experience for the true freshman playing or the defense coming together more after five games. You have to account for the competition, as Kansas State more closely represented a complete rushing attack and what is to come against future Big 12 conference opponents.

Take away the pick-six and the brutal kickoff return allowed before halftime, and the game on Saturday night looks completely different. If the Red Raiders defense can continue to improve and limit scoring against teams like Kansas State on the road, then this team could begin winning some close games down the stretch.

Drew Kohnle: Confidence. Seems rather cliche, but I've noticed a difference in confidence level throughout these past few games. I don't think the Kansas game gave them any type of over-inflated sense of self, but it definitely started to help them believe in themselves a little bit more.

Tech isn't full of five-star talent on defense, but if you get the talent that it does have to start believing more in the system and gaining some confidence, things can definitely go in a positive direction for them. We've seen that over the past few weeks.