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I have always been intrigued with Mike Leach and Texas Tech in past seasons, and I have tried to catch their games when I could, being that I reside on the West Coast...

The Texas Tech Red Raiders: College Football's Darkhorse in 2008

by Andrew Scott (Contributor)

27

1319 reads

Preview/Prediction

August 11, 2008


I have always been intrigued with Mike Leach and Texas Tech in past seasons, and I have tried to catch their games when I could, being that I reside on the West Coast.

However, after Texas Tech's victory over Virginia in the Gator Bowl last season, I began to look into what kind of team the Red Raiders would field in '08 and what I found had me startled to say the least.

The statistic I came across that peaked my interest was this: In a study conducted by the Univ. of Temple last season, Texas Tech's football team was ranked as the second youngest team out of all Division I-A teams in 2007. I thought to myself, "the second youngest team in America finished 9-4 and ranked 22nd in the nation.”

Being for the most part like other followers of college football, the first thing that came to mind when I began looking into the Red Raiders in 2008 was the offensive side of the football. It was when looking at their offense that lead me to my first conclusion.

Forget about Heisman hopefuls Michael Crabtree and Graham Harrell, as well as the completely intact offensive line returning in 2008. Everyone knows that Texas Tech will put up Playstation-like numbers on the offensive side of the ball next season. It's staggering to think what the nation's No. 2 offense from a year ago will be able to accomplish with 10 returning starters.

But all that is irrelevant when judging how good this team is going to be this season. Now let me ask you a question: "What would be the one area that if improved upon would make Texas Tech scary?"

I'm sure your thinking of the same thing I am, "a good defense."

An unknown statistic by many is that last season Texas Tech actually lead the Big 12 in total defense the last eight games. This began after a defensive debacle against Oklahoma State in which they lost, and head coach Mike Leach replaced then-defensive coordinator Lyle Setenich with assistant coach Ruffin McNeill.

Among players at Texas Tech coach Ruffin McNeill was the most favored and beloved coach on Leach's staff. Ironically, he was also the team's motivator. Before each game the newly appointed defensive coordinator would lead the charge for his young and undersized defensive unit as it took the field. This must have been a sight to behold, considering Ruffin is a 300-pound man.

That young defensive unit went on to lead the Big 12 in total defense from that point on, and although the Red Raiders still had their problems against the run from time to time, a shift had taken place in Texas Tech's mentality.

No longer was the defense feeling as though they were just the practicing dummies for the nation's best offense. The defense now had their Mike Leach on their side of the ball and this turnaround was evident by their steady improvement after McNeill's hiring.

Their psyche hasn't changed since, and in the annual spring game Ruffin McNeill's defense dominated by blitzing aggressively and registering nine sacks on the day. They limited Graham Harrell to one lone touchdown, to who else but Michael Crabtree.

This aggravated offensive mastermind Mike Leach so much he rescheduled a second spring game closed to the public. Reportedly the defense won this game as well.

Now with the interim removed from his title, newly appointed defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill has eight starters returning on his defense this upcoming season.

 

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27 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Andrew Scott 10 months ago

    I thought I'd expand on a previous comment

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  2. Chase Dunagan 10 months ago

    I should put al the stories I read about Tech in a folder, and then when they disappoint.... again... I'll show everyone how every year they jump on the Tech bandwagon only to be knocked off by Texas.... as usual.

    Maybe if everyone jumps on the bandwagon long enough Tech might fulfill their destiny in 2030.

    Have fun Tech fans.... because in November, your "magical season" will be derailed once again, by your daddy... The University of Texas.

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  3. John Douthitt 10 months ago

    Kind of like A$M beating UT the last few years?

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  4. Andrew Scott 10 months ago

    The offense is there to stay, and the year Tech has a good defense.... Whoa, hold on to your britches Longhorns because you will no longer be the only powerhouse in Texas. Similar to Texas A&M taking advantage of UT's down years in the 80's. If not this year, as long as Mike Leach is at Tech there is a very good chance this will eventually happen.

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    • Chase Dunagan 10 months ago

      MMMMMM good ole trash talk, I can't wait till football starts and we can show the nation that Texas is not to ever be considered an underdog....

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  5. Evan Wiley 10 months ago

    I agree with this...for their conference. I sense big things coming out of Mississippi State from the SEC too though

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  6. David Kuykendall 10 months ago

    I like tech but TX AND OU always have been and always will be the conf powerhousees but i will say if tech is gonna win it soon it will be this year or the next but colt mcoy will be a star so i think texas and OU battle it out this year

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  7. RedRaider Red 10 months ago

    "I should put al the stories I read about Tech in a folder, and then when they disappoint.... again... I'll show everyone how every year they jump on the Tech bandwagon only to be knocked off by Texas.... as usual.

    Maybe if everyone jumps on the bandwagon long enough Tech might fulfill their destiny in 2030.

    Have fun Tech fans.... because in November, your "magical season" will be derailed once again, by your daddy... The University of Texas."

    Hey does anyone remember last year's cheatfest in Austin? Just askin.....

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    • Chase Dunagan 10 months ago

      Cheatfest????

      First of all, I commend you on inventing a new word.

      Secondly, I don't understand how a bad call that goes in the opposing team's favor is categorized as cheating. So every time that A&M had a call against them IN LUBBOCK called by a ref FROM LUBBOCK, yall were cheating??? You think I'm lying.... look it up RedRaider. Some of YOUR games in Lubbock are refereed by LUBBOCK RESIDENTS. Including the OU game a couple of years back when your team was given the touchdown at the end of the game on a VERY QUESTIONABLE CALL.

      Soooooo I guess it takes a cheater to know a cheater????

      Hook'em! :)

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    • evan m 10 months ago

      8 touchdowns and 550 yards of offense speak for themselves
      an unfathomable amount of cheating would have to be going on for that not to qualify as a complete defensive meltdown

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  8. Thomas Brown 10 months ago

    i dont think they are a darkhorse, everyone is talking about them

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  9. RedRaider Red 10 months ago

    @Chase:

    Hey 'cmon. I never said the Longhorns cheated. I meant the referees.

    BTW, This could go on forever. Lets drop it right here.

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  10. Chris Copeland 10 months ago

    Harrell might throw for 500 against that piss UT calls a secondary...

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    • Chase Dunagan 10 months ago

      Considering that we have 4 new starters in our secondary, how can u call it piss?

      Have you played them yet?

      What the hell is a MSU fan talking crap for anyways....

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    • Chris Copeland 10 months ago

      Exactly 4 new starters-- I'm sure they are well adapted and experienced...

      Just because I'm an MSU fan, doesn't mean I don't know a weak secondary when I see one..

      Daniels, Harrell and Bradford might combine for 1300+yds and 10 TD"s against you..

      HA

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    • Chase Dunagan 10 months ago

      Just like our new defensive Coordinator said... I rather have great talent with no experience, than OK talent with lots of experience....

      They scored 43 on us last year, we scored 59!!!!!

      That was our worst secondary.....EVER. well probably not ever, but they were ranked in the 100's.

      No one knows what's coming....

      Hook'em!

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  11. RedRaider Red 10 months ago

    Dude... I thot we agreed to drop it right there and not go at the 2007 game.

    If this: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAGzNQWUstM) is what happenned (and more) then of course we scored 43 on you and got 59 put on us.

    Now will you stop the 2007 game discussion? Have you written this article to prove UT > TTU or something?

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  12. Andrew Scott 10 months ago

    Just ignore chase. it's just another longhorn making an article about their team... yawn

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  13. S L 10 months ago

    All I can say is Texas Tech has a chance to be one of the best teams in the nation this year. Who knows who they might beat or who they won't. Lots of anticipation.

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  14. J White 10 months ago

    So that ref from Austin; On the Austin chamber of commerce, holds two degrees from UT, family ties to previous UT football head coaches... Anyone else know about this?

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  15. J White 10 months ago

    Jon Bible began his officiating career in 1969. He has multiple degrees from Texas. His uncle, D.X. Bible, coached the Longhorns from 1937 to 1946.

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  1. J White 10 months ago

    But alumni aren't biased towards their alma mater...right? I mean as a Tech alum, I don't have a closet full of tech clothes, season tickets, and if I were to win the lottery, wouldn't donate millions to the Jones expansion project...

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    • Chase Dunagan 10 months ago

      You're right, No other referee has ever refereed at a game of their alma mater, and since this guy is the only one that has, he also let Texas score 59 points on your defense... but SOMEHOW, allllll that cheating was overlooked... Tech fans like you are pathetic, and a disgrace to college football.

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  2. bob thompson 10 months ago

    chase, i eat longhorn for dinner. No seriously, its really good. it has a great flavor.

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    • About the Author Andrew Scott (contributor)

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