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

Naysayers will support their argument by stating the fact that Texas Tech has never been to a BCS game before, and perhaps their program isn't ready for it. However, I disagree; the consistency from year to year displayed by Texas Tech teams while being out recruited by UT and Texas A&M is proof of an excellent coaching staff.

As this coaching staff begins to recruit better athletes year after year and implement them into their offensive system, the sky really does become the limit.

Now with eight returning starters, a dominating display by the defense in the annual spring game, several key additions over the offseason, and defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill entering his second season, signs are pointing to a shift in mentality in Lubbock and the state of Texas.

POSITION GROUP BREAKDOWN:

QUARTERBACK: Senior quarterback Graham Harrell enters his third season at the helm of Texas Tech's Offense. The CBS Sports Heisman hopeful, Unitas Award, and Davey O'Brien Award candidate has amassed 10,682 career passing yards, 89 touchdowns, and only 24 interceptions in primarily two seasons of work.

His completion percentage has been 68 percent. His primary back-up will be sophomore Taylor Potts.

RUNNING BACK: It appears that senior running back Shannon Woods will start for the Red Raiders. As a sophomore in 2006, Woods lead the Raiders in rushing with 928 yards and this past season shared time with Memphis, Tennessee true freshman Aaron Crawford.

Added into the mix is Barron Batch, a powerful back who is also one of the fastest players on the team. Batch returns after an ankle injury that sidelined him last season.

All three were impressive during spring practice and Mike Leach commented at the Big 12 Media Days that he has no problem dividing playing time among all three if one is not head and shoulders above the rest.

Added into the mix is heralded true freshman Harrison Jeffers, who was the highest rated schoolboy recruit out of Leach's 2008 recruiting class. By all indication Tech will have a four player battle for the spot, but don't be surprised if Shannon Woods is named the starter.

WIDE RECEIVER: Texas Tech's only offensive attrition from a year ago is at receiver. The Red Raiders have two burners in returning starter Edward Britton at wide out and a contributor from two years ago in Todd Walker, who is returning from an injury that sidelined him last season.

Both players have sub-4.4 speed and most likely will be relied upon for the deep ball when Michael Crabtree is in double coverage.

Eric Morris is another returning starter at inside receiver and has been aptly named “The Elf” because of his small stature. Morris is the perfect offset to a Michael Crabtree type on the end, as the shorter Morris is very quick and has nice hands. He does a good job of nestling himself in between coverages and can turn the short ball into a long gain.

Morris was QB Graham Harrell's third favorite target last year after amassing 75 receptions for 769 and nine touchdowns.

Then, of course, there is Michael Crabtree, the Biletnikoff Award-winning receiver from a year ago. The Heisman hopeful has been named a unanimous All-American by every college sports publication this year and looks to put up big numbers once again for the Raiders.

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