Texas Tech-Nevada: Red Raiders Take on Powerful Wolfpack Rushing Attack

The senior QB made some nice completions down the field after having to roll out of the pocket last week.  That’s a new wrinkle that Tech fans aren’t used to seeing.

Texas Tech Rushing

The Red Raiders’ three-headed monster of Shannon Woods, Baron Batch, and Aaron Crawford looked more than adequate last week.  All three players reached pay dirt and seemed to stay fresh due to rotating with the others.

Woods paced the bunch with 13 carries for 37 yards (2.8 per rush) and two TDs, but Batch, the sophomore who missed last season, was perhaps more impressive.  The Midland native finished with five carries for 40 yards and one score.  True sophomore Crawford chipped in three rushes for 11 yards (3.7 per carry) and one score.

Harrell’s QB keeper finishes Tech’s rushing scores.  WR Edward Britton also had one carry for nine yards, and fellow WR Eric Morris had one carry for four yards.

Texas Tech Receiving

Somebody forgot to tell Eric Morris and Detron Lewis that that Michael Crabtree is Tech’s playmaker at WR.  Morris, the senior from Shallowater, finished with nine catches for 164 yards but no scores.  Lewis was equally impressive in posting a similar total of nine catches for 163 yards, but again, no trips to the end zone.

Crabtree, college football’s premier WR, totaled nine catches for only 73 yards and one score.  Crabtree had another TD nullified by an offensive pass interference call.

Redshirt freshman Tramain Swindall had five catches for 45 yards.  Britton caught four passes for six yards and one score.  His speed will be an asset to Tech in the passing game and on kick returns.

RB Woods caught two passes for 15 yards, Batch caught one for 10, Adam James caught one for nine, and sophomore Lyle Leong had a beautiful 32-yard reception that was probably an 11 on a 1-10 difficulty scale.

Intangibles

The contrast in styles makes this one tough to call.  Texas Tech is playing their first road game, and it’s a later start than the team is used to.  However, most experts think the Red Raiders’ run defense is better than Nevada’s pass defense.  That little piece of insight may have the Wolfpack howling in agony by the end of the contest.

Add a senior QB and a wealth of talent versus a sophomore QB and a running back who got a little dinged-up last week, and this game leans toward the Red Raiders.

Prediction

Texas Tech 52, Nevada 38

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?