It’s hard to imagine a worse situation.

It’s the kind that’s derailed so many Texas Tech seasons throughout the program’s history.

Starting quarterback Behren Morton’s Saturday ended in the second quarter after taking a big hit and staying on the turf at Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium, one of the toughest venues in college football.

Utah looked like a preseason title contender in the Big 12, boasting an offensive line coach who Kyle Whittingham says is the best he’s had in two decades as a head coach — a tenure that includes three conference titles.

But this Texas Tech is different. And now, it’s 4-0 after piling on the Utes late for a 34-10 road victory.