Bleacher Report - Articles by John Baucum

Baylor—Texas Tech: Red Raiders Look to Improve Bowl Bid

John Baucum — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:34:58 -0500

Introduction:

Baylor and Texas Tech have both faced quite a bit of adversity this season. Unfortunately for Baylor, losing star QB Robert Griffin III proved to be much more damaging than the injuries to Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield have for Texas Tech.

The dynamic Baylor QB was such a key cog that his loss dashed Baylor’s high hopes for this season. Texas Tech is wrangling for bowl position and could solidify its position for an upper echelon bowl game with a victory tomorrow in Dallas.

Baylor Passing:

Nick Florence leads Baylor’s offensive attack. He is 165 —266 (62%) for 1,786 yards with six TDs and nine INTs. Backup Blake Szymanski is 33 —54 for (61%) with one TD and four INTs.

Although these stats don’t exactly leap off the page, Baylor’s offense will remind Tech fans of Houston’s in the sense that the Bears don’t rely on the pass quite so much. They strive to be balanced between pass and run while also incorporating one of Leach’s basic tenets of spreading the ball to all its playmakers.

Baylor Rushing:

Jay Finley leads Baylor’s rushing attack with 61 carries for 315 yards (5.2 YPC) and one score. Next is Terrence Gannaway with 65 runs for 191 (3 YPC) and five scores. QB Nick Florence adds three rushing scores, Jared Salubi and Robert Griffin each have two scores, while Jared Monk and Kendall Wright have one each.

In fact, of all the different athletes who’ve carried the football for the Bears this season, only three have failed to score a touchdown. That’s pretty impressive given the number of players with rushing attempts for the Bears this year

Baylor Receiving:

Baylor’s receiving stats aren’t great but the Bears have big—play ability. This is proven by the fact that they have seven players who average more than 10 yards per catch. Kendall Wright leads the group with 60 catches for 690 yards (11.5 YPC) with four TDs. David Gettis is next with 49 catches for 606 yards (12 YPC) and three scores.

Lanear Sampson has 25 grabs for 269 yards (10.8 YPC) with 2 scores. Justin Akers, Brad Taylor, Willie Jefferson, and Andrew Judy have one score each to close Baylor’s scoring through the air.

Texas Tech Passing:

Taylor Potts’ performance of the season could not have come at a better time than last Saturday afternoon. Potts excellent decision making and distribution played a key role in Tech’s 41 —13 humbling of the Oklahoma Sooners.

Prior to that game, Oklahoma was ranked in the top 10 nationally in many defensive categories and was coming off a 65 point win over Texas A&M. Anyone claiming OU isn’t a salty team clearly does not follow college football.

The challenge for Taylor Potts will be the same as it has been all season: consistency. If the strong armed junior can once again lead his troops with a near —flawless performance, coach Art Briles and his Baylor squad could be in for a long day. However, that remains to be seen. On the season Potts has completed 249 —378 passes (66%) for 2,799 yards with 18 TDs and 11 INTs. Backup Steven Sheffield has completed 92 —125 passes (74%) for 13 TDs and four INTs.

Texas Tech Rushing:

Baron Batch paces the Texas Tech rushing attack with 128 attempts for 715 yards (5.6 YPC) with 12 TDs. Redshirt freshman Harrison Jeffers is next with 33 rushes for 216 yards (6.5 YPC) and four scores. True freshman Eric Stephens is next with 40 rushes for 186 (4.7 YPC) with two scores.

Additionally, Stephens is only a few yards from setting a Texas Tech single—season record for kickoff return yards at 614 for the year. Both of these freshmen have bright futures ahead of them. Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield each have two rushing scores to finish the Red Raiders’ rushing TDs.

Texas Tech Receiving:

Freshman Alexander Torres paces Tech’s receivers with 58 grabs for 728 yards (12.6 YPC) and six scores. Detron Lewis is next with 54 receptions for 719 yards (13.3 YPC) with five scores. RB Batch has 49 catches for 308 yards (6.3 YPC) and one score. Tramain Swindall adds 44 catches for 629 yards (14.3 YPC) and five scores. Lyle Leong, Taylor Potts’ high school teammate is next with 36 catches for 455 yards (12.6 YPC) and six TDs.

Speedster Edward Britton adds 30 grabs for 361 yards (12 YPC) and three scores. Austin Zouzalik has 25 receptions for 302 yards (12 YPC) and two scores. RB Jeffers, Jacoby Franks, Adam James, RB Stephens, and Brik Brinker each have one score.

Noteworthy:

This is Texas Tech’s oldest rivalry. The Red Raiders hold a slight series advantage with a 34 — 32 —1 all —time record

Saturday’s game at Cowboys Stadium will be the first neutral field meeting between the two schools.

Baylor head coach Art Briles was the running backs coach on Mike Leach’s first staff at Texas Tech. Briles also has a degree from Texas Tech despite playing college football at Houston.

Mike Leach’s victory last week makes him Tech’s all —time leader in wins, surpassing legendary Texas Tech coach Spike Dykes.

Texas Tech’s 36 sacks on the season is second nationally to Pittsburgh, which has 41.

What will Happen:

Briles has a deep understanding of Texas Tech’s offense as well as some weapons of his own. Given this, I expect the Bears to remain fairly close with Texas Tech for much of the game. Look for the Red Raiders depth and overall talent disparity to take over late in the first half or early in the second half.

Prediction:

Baylor —20

Texas Tech —45

Kansas-Texas Tech: Intriguing Matchups Set Stage for Struggling Teams

John Baucum — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:32:24 -0400

Introduction

Kansas QB Todd Reesing brings his high-powered offense to Lubbock.

Typically, that spells trouble for opposing teams, but after last week’s dose of humble pie dished out by A&M in a 52-30 Red Raiders loss, the reputation of Texas Tech’s home field advantage took a serious hit.

It’s not all bad news for Raider fans, though. Reesing’s Jayhawks are struggling a bit too. Consecutive losses to Colorado and Oklahoma interrupted a terrific start for Mark Mangino and his bunch.

The Jayhawks’ loss to Colorado is as puzzling as Tech’s loss to the Aggies—Colorado was mired in a QB controversy and several players quit the team. The CU team that lost to Toledo and Colorado State snuck by a ranked Kansas squad 34-30.

Kansas Passing

As mentioned above, the senior QB Reesing leads Kansas’ offense. Reesing has completed 185 of 285 passes (65 percent) for 2,204 yards with 15 TDs and seven INTs. Additionally, Reesing is no stranger to rushing the football, as evidenced by his four TDs on 57 carries.

Tech’s defensive line faces a tough challenge here. Reesing is very effective as a passer, and he has two great receivers at his disposal. Also, when the play breaks down, he can definitely take off and run for the first down.

Kansas Rushing

Jake Sharp, Toben Opurum, and WR Dezmon Briscoe are the top threats for Kansas’ running game. Sharp is the senior leader in the bunch. However, his 62 carries for 291 yards (five YPC) and three scores all trail backup Opurum’s numbers.

The freshman Opurum leads KU with 108 carries and 480 yards (4.5 YPC) and eight rushing TDs.

In addition, Reesing has four scores on the ground, and WR Briscoe adds 20 yards and one score on a single carry.

Kansas Receiving

Former QB Kerry Meier leads KU’s passing game. Meier has 62 catches for 634 yards (10 YPC) and six TD receptions. The aforementioned Briscoe teams with Meier to form what could be the best 1-2 WR combo in the Big 12. Briscoe has 45 catches for 731 yards (16 YPC) and four TDs.

RBs Sharp (3) and Opurum (1) and junior Tertavian Ingram (1) finish KU’s receiving scores.

Texas Tech Passing

Mike Leach’s football team is going through a season of change. Aside from the much publicized departure of Graham Harrell, Leach and his staff have dealt with injuries among the Red Raider QBs.

Taylor Potts began the season as the clear-cut starter. Midway through the Oct. 3 game against New Mexico, Potts was injured and replaced by Steven Sheffield.

Sheffield filled in admirably for Potts and helped the Red Raiders to victories over New Mexico, Kansas State, and Nebraska. Unfortunately, Sheffield has also been forced to miss time due to injury. After a gutsy performance against Nebraska on the road, Sheffield hasn’t played.

Potts’ shaky start against Texas A&M last week gave third stringer Seth Doege a chance. The redshirt freshman played well late in the game against the Aggies. Although nothing has been officially announced, Doege is rumored to be Leach’s choice to start at QB this week.

For his part, Leach has quite admirably refrained from publicly complaining about the quandary he’s faced in dealing with his wounded signal callers. Texas Tech may not have the nation’s leading passer this season (which they've done six out of nine seasons under Leach), but fans can be assured that Tech's QBs will give it all they’ve got.

Texas Tech Rushing

Baron Batch leads Tech’s RBs. His 76 carries, 408 yards (five YPC), and six TDs pace the Red Raiders’ ground attack. Speedster Harrison Jeffers is next with 31 carries for 207 yards (seven YPC) and four scores.

Freshman Eric Stephens give Texas Tech a powerful option to hit the opposition with late in the game. His 24 carries for 105 yards (four YPC) and one score is pretty impressive.

Additionally, Stephens is a dangerous weapon on kickoff returns. He had a 98-yard return for a score earlier in the season. However, that play was called back due to a penalty. As a true freshman, Stephens is the first frosh RB to get extensive playing time since Taurean Henderson in 2001.

Texas Tech Receiving

Because of Leach’s aerial attack, the Red Raiders have many more dangerous options at wideout than the average college football team. This season’s group of receivers is led by Detron Lewis. Lewis has 41 grabs for 538 yards (13 YPC) and four scores.

Alex Torres also has 41 catches and four TDs. Lyle Leong leads the team with six receiving scores, and Tramain Swindall’s 17 yards per catch is tops for the Red Raiders.

RBs Batch, Jeffers, and Stephens, along with Austin Zouzalik, Jacoby Franks, Adam James, and Brik Brinker, each have one receiving TD.

Noteworthy

· Mike Leach will tie Spike Dykes for the all-time wins record at Texas Tech with his next victory.

· Texas Tech has won five straight against Big 12 North foes.

· Kansas’ only win in the series between the two teams came in Lubbock in 2001.

· KU coach Mark Mangino followed Leach as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma after Leach took the job at Texas Tech following the 1999 season.

What Will Happen

With both teams coming off disappointing losses, it’s anyone’s guess what might happen in this game. I expect the offenses to outshine the defenses because both teams are eager to prove that they are better than what happened on the field last week.

For Kansas, it’s a "get back to the basics" approach as the veteran roster has been through the ups and downs of a season before. For Texas Tech, it’s a bit of an enigma because this is Seth Doege’s first start. It is imperative that Doege find his comfort zone early.

Prediction

Home field advantage aids the Red Raiders.

Kansas: 35

Texas Tech: 42

Texas A&M-Texas Tech: It's Now A&M's Turn To Prove Itself Against Talented Tech

John Baucum — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:08:25 -0400

Introduction

Texas A&M started the season 3-0 and had everything clicking. Big play WR Jeff Fuller was coming into his own and QB Jerrod Johnson showed accuracy that he didn’t have the last two seasons. Then add the dynamic running game of Cyrus Gray and Christine (pronounced like Kristen) Michael, and the Aggies were building something special. However, after a 3-0 start, the Aggies are now 3-3.

Texas Tech is coming from the other side of it. Tough losses to Texas and Houston had the Red Raiders at 3-2 and the fans a little restless. Since then, Texas Tech has rebounded nicely. Wins over New Mexico, Kansas State, and Nebraska have the Red Raiders sitting at 5-2.

For all the elation Texas Tech has after a statement road win at Nebraska, excitement in the A&M program is waning. It may seem strange, but that makes this Aggie team dangerous. Wolves are dangerous, but wounded wolves are much more unpredictable. The Aggies come to Lubbock as the wounded wolf.

A&M Passing

Jerrod Johnson paces the Aggie passing attack and is 148-256 (58%) for 1,893 yards with 16 TDs and three INTs. Johnson likes to throw deep, but the porous Aggie offensive line hasn’t allowed for too much of it. So far this season, Johnson’s made good decisions and spread the ball around to several players.

A&M Receiving:

Howard Morrow leads the receivers with 25 catches for 269 yards (11 YPC) and one score. Ryan Tannehill is next with 21 catches for 318 yards (15.1 YPC) and three scores. Jeff Fuller, the Aggies’ big play guy, has missed the last several games with a broken leg. Lucky for the Aggies, Uzoma Nwachukwu has more than made up for Fuller’s injury. His 21 catches for 445 yards (21 YPC) and six scores make him easily A&M’s best. Aside from Tannehill (whose father played at Tech) no other Aggie has more than one receiving TD.

A&M Rushing

Tailback would be the strength of the A&M offense if the Aggies had a decent offensive line. Most (I said most, not all) of A&M’s positive plays are due to the outstanding athleticism of RBs Michael and Gray. Michael has 285 yards on 59 carries (5 YPC) and two scores. Gray has 317 yards on 74 carries (4 YPC) and also two scores. QB Johnson has four rushing scores.

Texas Tech Passing

Taylor Potts leads the Red Raiders’ offense. He has completed 159-235 passes (68%) for 1,817 yards with 13 TDs and six INTs. After missing the last game and a half, Potts is likely eager to prove that he should be the lead signal caller at Texas Tech. An alleged undisclosed injury to Steven Sheffield will keep him off the field for the next few weeks. Sheffield’s injury likely averted a full-blown QB controversy for Mike Leach. Once Sheffield is back, even more attention than normal will be focused on Texas Tech’s QB.

Texas Tech Receiving

Detron Lewis now leads the Red Raiders in receptions. His four TDs on the year are third on the team behind Lyle Leong’s six and Tramain Swindall’s five. An astounding seven different Red Raider receivers average more than 10 yards per catch. Swindall’s 19 yards per catch paces the group.

The Red Raiders have quite a group of receivers who all have one score. In this group, Edward Britton has the most experience and speedy freshman Austin Zouzalik appears to have the brightest future. Zouzalik’s quickness and vision make him an ideal return man as well. Jacoby Franks has a flair for the dramatic as his 78 yard TD catch against Kansas State was the first receiving score of his career and a true thing of beauty.

Cornelius Douglas and Blake Kelley are the only Red Raider receivers who have caught a pass but have not scored.

Texas Tech Rushing

Baron Batch, Harrison Jeffers, and Eric Stephens combine to form quite a talented trio in Mike Leach’s backfield. Batch is the reliable workhorse, Stephens is the backup who rarely makes mistakes, and Harrison Jeffers is the game-breaker. Batch has 65 carries for 350 yards (5 YPC) and five scores. Stephens has 23 carries for 98 yards (4 YPC) but no scores. Jeffers has 28 touches for 199 yards (7 YPC) and four scores. Potts and Sheffield each add two rushing TDs.

Noteworthy

· A&M leads the series with Texas Tech 34-32-1.

· Mike Leach ties Spike Dykes for the all-time win record at Texas Tech with his next win.

· A&M QB Jerrod Johnson set a Big 12 record for consecutive pass attempts without an INT. Johnson’s 225 pass attempt streak was broken as he threw three INTs against Kansas State last week.

· A&M’s Von Miller leads the nation in sacks with 10.

· Tech’s Brandon Sharpe is tied for fourth with eight.

What Will Happen

All the talk this week has been about the disparity in talent between A&M and Texas Tech. However, as fans of this rivalry, most should know that records and prior games have little impact on this game.

Expect a fired up A&M team to match the intensity of Texas Tech in the early going and hang with the Red Raiders for much of the game. Texas Tech’s superior offensive line play will eventually wear down the Aggies.

Prediction

A&M: 24

Texas Tech: 59

Texas Tech- Nebraska: Red Raiders Face Tough Cornhusker Defense

John Baucum — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:21:10 -0400

Introduction

Nebraska and Texas Tech face off Saturday in a battle between teams with decidedly different identities. The ‘Huskers are showing signs of being the elite defensive unit that was the school’s hallmark during Tom Osborne’s illustrious tenure.

On the other side of the coin is Mike Leach’s well-oiled offensive machine. The contrasting strengths of each team should make this a very interesting matchup.

Nebraska Passing

Nebraska QB Zac Lee directs the ‘huskers offensive attack. On the season Lee has completed 82-138 passes (59%) for 1,085 yards with 10 TDs and three INTs. Lee has also rushed 28 times for 68 yards.

Backup Cody Green has completed 12-17 passes (70%) for 98 yards with one TD and no INTs. Green appears to be a formidable threat to run the ball as he has accumulated 79 yards and two scores on six rushes.

Nebraska Rushing

Roy Helu paces the NU rushing attack with 91 carries for 552 yards (6 YPC) with six scores. Backup Rex Burkhead, a one-time Texas Tech target, has 23 rushes for 118 yards (5 YPC) with one score.

However, Burkhead will be unavailable for the Texas Tech game with an undisclosed foot injury. Aside from QBs Lee and Green, WR Niles Paul has one carry for 30 yards and a score. No other Nebraska tailback has more than three rushes and none of them have scored.

Nebraska Receiving

Niles Paul is Nebraska’s leading WR. He has 16 catches for 212 yards (13 YPC) with three trips to paydirt. Two of Paul’s scores came in last week’s rain-soaked contest at Missouri. TE Mike McNeill has 12 catches for 146 yards (12 YPC) with three scores as well.

RB Helu adds 11 catches for 91 yards (8 YPC) with no scores. Menelik Holt has 11 catches for 124 yards (11 YPC) and one TD. Holt’s backup, Curenski Gilleyan, has been a big-play guy with 11 grabs for 269 yards (24.5 YPC) with one score. WR Chris Brooks, RB Burkhead, and Tyler Legate each add one TD to finish Nebraska’s scoring.

Texas Tech Passing

Taylor Potts leads the Red Raiders’ passing attack with 159 completions out of 235 attempts (68%) for 1,817 yards with 13 TDs and six INTs. Steven Sheffield is 53-70 (76%) for 780 yards with 11 TDs and two INTs.

Much attention will be focused on the Texas Tech QB duo as head coach Mike Leach announced earlier this week that his starting QB will be a game-time decision.

Potts is coming off an alleged concussion that occurred during the first half of the Red Raiders’ game against New Mexico on Oct. 3. Potts did not play in the second half of that contest and also sat out last week’s game against Kansas State.

Texas Tech Rushing

Baron Batch leads the Red Raiders’ with 53 carries for 312 yards (6 YPC) with five scores. If Batch is Tech’s Slash, Redshirt freshman Harrison Jeffers is the Red Raiders’ Dash. Jeffers has amazing speed.

He has 26 carries for 180 yards (7 YPC) with 4 TDs. His numbers are pretty great considering that he did not play in Tech’s game against Texas. The future is very bright for Jeffers.

True Freshman Eric Stephens has the only other significant rushing stats. Stephens adds 23 rushes for 98 yards (4 YPC). He is also very dangerous as a kickoff return man.

Were it not for a penalty that occurred well away from the action, Stephens would have a return TD to his credit this season. QB Potts also adds two rushing scores from goal-line situations.

Texas Tech Receiving

The Texas Tech receiving corps is starting to develop some good rapport with Red Raider QBs. This is great news for the coaching staff and terrible for future opponents. Sure-handed redshirt freshman Alex Torres paces the bunch with 31 grabs for 31 grabs for 335 yards (11 YPC) and three scores.

Detron Lewis is next with 30 catches for 385 yards (13 YPC) and four TDs. Lyle Leong adds 24 catches for 328 yards (14 YPC) and leads the team in receiving scores with six. Tramain Swindall has been the big-play receiver so far this season. The sophomore has 24 catches for 464 yards (19 YPC) and five scores.

Senior Edward Britton has 20 receptions for 218 yards (11 YPC) with one score. What Britton lacks in production this year he more than makes up for it by being a tenacious downfield blocker. Britton has excelled in blocking since arriving at Texas Tech and his efforts are pivotal in long gains that other receivers produce.

Austin Zouzalik, Jacoby Franks, Adam James, and Brik Brinker combine with RBs Batch, Jeffers, and Stephens for 85 receptions, 906 yards (11 YPC) with one score each.

Noteworthy

·Texas Tech is looking to extend its series best three-game win streak against the Cornhuskers.

·Texas Tech will extend a tough streak Saturday. The Raiders’ previous five road contests have been against ranked foes. Nebraska will make it six in a row for Mike Leach’s team.

·Nebraska leads the all-time series between the schools 7-3, but Tech has won three straight.

·Mike Leach is only three wins away from breaking Spike Dykes’ all-time wins record at Texas Tech

·Tech’s defense leads the Big 12 and is 17th nationally with 45 tackles for loss.

What will happen

Texas Tech faces an immense challenge in Nebraska’s defensive line. Ndamukong Suh (pronounced Sue) is one of the nation’s premier defensive players and is the best defensive lineman in college football. Because of his talent, I expect the Red Raiders to start slowly.

However, Nebraska’s offense isn’t exactly setting the world on fire so the Red Raiders won’t be too far behind even if a slow start occurs. Nebraska’s ball control rushing attack will eat large chunks of time but that shouldn’t keep the Red Raiders from scoring.

Prediction

Nebraska is not quite back to its glory years:

Texas Tech: 45

Nebraska: 35

Texas Tech Licking Its Chops Over Winless New Mexico, Lobos Just Licking Wounds

John Baucum — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:59:33 -0400

Introduction:

The New Mexico Lobos arrive at Jones AT&T Stadium licking their wounds after starting the season 0-4. Texas Tech has some healing of its own to do following a tough one point loss to Houston and the suspension of All Big 12 guard Brandon Carter.

New Mexico head coach Mike Locksley is in his first year at New Mexico and spent the last four seasons as the offensive coordinator at Illinois. He is still searching for his first victory as a collegiate head coach. Incidentally, Mike Leach’s first victory as a college head coach came against New Mexico in 2000.

New Mexico Passing:

New Mexico is led by Sr. QB Donovan Porterie. So far this season Porterie has completed 61-98 passes (62%) for 530 yards with one TD and 3 INTs. Backup B.R. Holbrook has completed 13-23 passes for 104 yards with no TDs and two INTs.

New Mexico Rushing:

True freshman Demond Dennis leads the Lobos’ rushing attack with 42 rushes for 200 yards (5 yards per carry) with one TD. Jr. James Wright is next with nine carries for 173 yards (19 YPC) and two TDs. No other Lobo has reached the endzone.

New Mexico Receiving:

True freshman Ty Kirk leads the UNM receivers with 13 catches for 152 yards. RB A.J Butler is next with 11 catches for 71 yards. These two are the only Lobo receivers with double digits in receptions and Kirk is the only WR with 100 yards receiving. Fr FB Chris Biren has the only Lobo receiving TD on the season.

Texas Tech Passing:

Taylor Potts directs the Texas Tech offense. For the year Potts has completed 146-212 passes (69%) for 1,602 yards with 13 TDs and four INTs. Backup Steven Sheffield has completed 4-6 passes for 52 yards with one TD and no INTs.

Texas Tech Rushing:

Baron Batch sparked Texas Tech’s running game last week and has now tallied 36 rushes for 179 yards (5 yards per carry) and three TDs. RS Fr RB Harrison Jeffers showed his world-class speed against Houston last week with a 40-yard run. Later in the game, Jeffers scored his first TD as a Red Raider. Eric Stephens adds 18 rushes for 64 yards (3.5 YPC) but no scores.

Texas Tech Receiving:

Lyle Leong paces the Texas Tech receiving corps with 21 catches for 263 yards (13 YPC) with five TDs. Alexander Torres is next with 22 catches for 240 yards (11 YPC) but no scores. Jr. Detron Lewis adds 20 catches for 242 yards (12 YPC) with one TD.

Speedy Sr. Ed Britton has chipped in 16 catches for 144 yards (9 YPC) with one TD. Britton showed big-play ability last year with clutch catches against Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma State. However, the enigmatic Sr hasn’t shown much of his skill yet this season.

Tramain Swindall has 14 receptions for 228 yards (16 YPC) and four TDs. Swindall has reached the endzone for three straight weeks after not playing in the opener.

Austin Zouzalik adds 14 catches for 172 yards (12 YPC) with one score. Zouzalik has also nailed down the punt returning duties for Texas Tech. Adam James and RB Stephens have the other receiving scores for the Red Raiders this season.

Noteworthy:

· The Red Raiders lead the all-time series 33-6-2. New Mexico won the last game between the two teams. A 27-24 win at New Mexico in 2004.

· Texas Tech Special Teams coach Eric Russell coached with UNM Offensive Coordinator Darrell Dickey at North Texas from 1998-2006.

· Saturday’s game will be on Fox Sports Southwest at 2:30 PM and is officially Texas Tech’s first sellout of the season.

What Will Happen:

Fans should expect to see a highly motivated Texas Tech team this week. The Red Raiders probably did not expect to be 2-2 at this point in the season and now coaches, players, and fans get to see how this team responds to adversity.

Lobo head coach Mike Locksley allegedly punched an assistant coach in the mouth a couple of weeks ago. Expect Texas Tech to be the team landing figurative blows this week.

Prediction:

New Mexico: 17

Texas Tech: 66

Offensive Showdown: Texas Tech Visits Upstart Houston Cougars

John Baucum — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:39:12 -0400

There’s an old axiom that goes something like this: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If the saying is true, Texas Tech ought to feel pretty good about its football program. Long-time Leach understudy Dana Holgorsen is Houston’s offensive coordinator and a real up-and-coming coach in his own right.

Coach Holgorsen spent eight seasons at Texas Tech and prior to that, also worked with Leach at Valdosta State after playing for Leach at Iowa Wesleyan.

In addition to Coach Holgorsen, Houston has former Texas Tech great Kliff Kingsbury on staff. Kingsbury serves as Quality Control for the Cougars offense.

The other sub-plot to Saturday’s showdown is the QB that each team features. Houston’s Case Keenum is a graduate of Abilene’s Wylie High School while Texas Tech’s Taylor Potts is a graduate of Abilene High.

Houston Passing

Jr. QB Case Keenum leads Houston’s dynamic attack. He has completed 55-76 passes (72%) for 725 with seven TDs and one INT. He’s also shown some toughness in the redzone with seven carries for 16 yards and two scores. Backup Cotton Turner is 9-14 for 88 yards with one TD and no INTs.

Houston Rushing

The Cougars’ ground game is paced by so-dynamo Bryce Beall. He was the Conference USA Freshman of the Year in 2008 and also the MVP of the Bell Hellicopter Armed Forces Bowl.

This season, Beall has tallied 27 rushes for 136 yards (five yards per carry) with two TDs. Equally dangerous as a receiver, Beall adds seven catches for 95 yards (14 YPC) and two more trips to paydirt.

Aside from Beall and QB Keenum’s rushing numbers, Charles Sims is the only other back with a score from the ground game this season. But, Houston will get creative on offense and get the ball in the hands of playmakers like WR A.J. Dugat, who has a 15 yard run to his credit.

Houston Receiving

Patrick Edwards leads the Cougars receivers with 11 grabs for 121 yards and a score. RB Sims adds another 11 catches for 174 yards (16 YPC) with one TD. Tyron Carrier has 10 receptions for 135 yards and a score. Chaz Rodriguez, L.J. Castille, and Ronnie Williams each have one TD to finish Houston’s scoring.

Texas Tech Passing

After last week’s gutsy performance in Austin, Taylor Potts is eager to continue proving his doubters wrong. The Junior gunslinger calmly led his team in a hostile environment against a Texas team that was supposed to be the No. 2 team in the country.

Now the Red Raiders have another chance to face a road crowd in a sold out Robertson Stadium. For the year, Potts has completed 115-167 passes (70%) for 1,281 yards with 12 TDs and four INTs. Potts has also added two scores on the ground. Backup QB Steven Sheffield is 4-6 for 52 yards with one score and no INTs.

Texas Tech Rushing

After running the ball for minus six yards last week, it’s safe to say that Texas Tech’s ground game hasn’t gotten off to a blistering start to the 2009 season. However, RBs Baron Batch, Harrison Jeffers, and Eric Stephens are all legitimate Big 12 backs with game changing ability.

Batch leads the group with 17 carries for 65 yards (4 YPC) and one score while true freshman Eric Stephens has chipped in 13 touches for 44 yards (3.5 YPC) with no scores.

RS Fr. speedster Harrison Jeffers adds seven rushes for 39 yards (5.5 YPC) and no scores. This talented triumvirate will contribute heavily in multiple games this season, that much, Tech fans can count on.

Texas Tech Receiving

Lyle Leong, Potts’ Abilene High teammate, leads the Red Raider receivers with 19 catches for 252 yards (13 YPC) with five scores. Sr. Ed Britton has 16 catches for 144 yards (9 YPC) and one TD.

Redshirt Fr. Alexander Torres walked on to the football team and impressed the coaching staff enough to earn a starting spot in the position formerly occupied by Tech All-American Michael Crabtree.

Recently, Torres was placed on scholarship for his efforts. Torres has 16 catches for 150 yards (9 YPC) but no scores. Detron Lewis has 15 grabs for 191 yards (13 YPC) and one TD. So. Tramain Swindall has recorded 11 catches for 190 yards (17 YPC), despite not playing in the opener against North Dakota.

Redshirt Fr. Austin Zouzalik has 11 catches for 142 yards (13 YPC) and one score. Due to his effectiveness against Texas, Zouzalik has earned the starting nod this week from the coaching staff and will also continue his duties as the primary punt returner for the Red Raiders.

Zouzalik’s career has gotten off to a fast start and much is expected from this talented former high school QB. Adam James and RB Stephens each have one receiving TD to finish Texas Tech’s scoring.

What Will Happen

This game has the makings of four hour offensive explosion. Both teams have assembled rosters chock full of legendary Texas high school football athletes. Combine that with the play calling acumen that both Mike Leach and Dana Holgorsen possess and fans could be on the edge of their seats all evening. Set this one to record, folks. It's going to be a barn burner.

Noteworthy

Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin is a former offensive coordinator at OU. Sumlin joins Mike Leach, Mark Mangino, and Chuck Long as Sooners offensive coordinators who have gone on to become head coaches.

Former SMU great Craig James, the father of Tech receiver Adam James, will call Saturday’s game with play-by-play man Mike Patrick for ESPN2.

The Red Raiders return to the friendly confines of Jones AT&T Stadium next Saturday to take on the New Mexico Lobos. That game is scheduled to kickoff at 2:30 p.m.

Prediction

Houston: 45

Texas Tech: 52

Red Raiders Take on UT in Austin: Hope To Dash Horn Title Chances Again

John Baucum — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:43:45 -0400

Introduction

Mike Leach and Texas Tech travel to Austin to take on the No. 2 ranked Longhorns. After last season’s thrilling game that saw the Red Raiders claim a 39-33 victory, the national spotlight once again shines on this matchup. Texas Tech QB Taylor Potts gets his third start Saturday after showing marked improvement from week one to week two.

Lots of words can be used to describe the rivalry between these two teams and the stage for this year’s matchup, but so far, UT’s camp has been avoiding one that the national media is using with regularity—revenge.

Who can blame the national media? For all intents and purposes, Texas Tech’s victory in 2008 kept the Longhorns from playing Florida for the national title.

Texas Passing

Texas QB Colt McCoy once again returns to lead a dynamic offensive attack for the Longhorns. On the season, McCoy has completed 51-76 passes (67 percent) for 654 yards with five TD's and two INT's. True freshman backup QB Garrett Gilbert has completed 6-8 passes for 62 yards with no TD's or INT's.

After leading the team in rushing last season, it appears that the ‘horns have solved their running dilemma and McCoy will not shoulder the load of carrying the rushing attack. But, McCoy has carried the ball 16 times for 41 yards (2.6 YPC) and one score so far this season

Texas Rushing

The Longhorn rushing attack has been by committee so far this season. Vondrell McGee paces the group with 26 carries for 131 yards (5 YPC) and one score. Tre’ Newton, son of Cowboys great Nate Newton, is next with 12 rushes for 90 yards (7.5 YPC) and one TD.

D.J. Monroe is next with 14 carries for 79 yards (5.6 YPC) but no scores. Monroe has an 89-yard kickoff return for a score to his credit as well. Goal-line back Cody Johnson has rushed 12 times for 31 yards (2.6 YPC) and three TD's.

Texas Receiving

Sixth-year senior Jordan Shipley headlines UT’s receiving corps. He has hauled in 15 passes for 241 yards (16 YPC) and one score. Dan Buckner has 11 receptions for 148 yards (13.5 YPC) and one TD. James Kirkendoll has nine catches for 121 yards (13.4 YPC) and one score also.

Former backup QB John Chiles has pitched in eight grabs for 84 yards and two scores. Malcolm Williams, a burner who torched Tech’s secondary for a 91-yard score last season, has yet to find a groove this year. He has three catches for 31 yards.

Texas Tech Passing

Potts, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, had his way with the Rice Owls. The junior from Abilene completed 36-57 passes (63 percent) for 456 yards with seven TDs and no INT's.

On the season Potts has completed 70-105 passes (67 percent) for 861 with nine TD's and 3 INT's. Backup Steven Sheffield has completed 4-6 passes for 52 yards with one TD and no INT's.

Texas Tech Rushing

Despite the return of talented junior Baron Batch and the addition of speedy freshmen Harrison Jeffers and Eric Stephens, Texas Tech’s run game has been underwhelming at times so far this season.

Batch led the Big 12 last season in yards per carry and the Red Raiders gained at least 100 yards on the ground in every contest. That total hasn’t been reached through two games this season.

Batch leads the group with 13 carries for 42 yards (3.2 yards per carry) and one score. The redshirt freshman, Jeffers, is next with seven rushes for 39 yards (5.6 YPC) but no scores. True freshman Stephens has tallied four rushes for 17 yards (4.3 YPC) and no scores.

However, Stephens had an electrifying 93-yard kickoff return against Rice nullified by a personal foul. The Red Raiders’ backfield is loaded with talent and could cause problems if the Longhorns’ defensive coordinator gets ultra aggressive in trying to pressure Potts.

Texas Tech Receiving

Lyle Leong, a high school teammate of Potts’ leads the Red Raider receivers with 13 catches for 172 yards (13.2 YPC) and three scores. Detron Lewis is next with 11 grabs for 169 yards (15.4 YPC) and one TD.

Freshman Alex Torres adds nine grabs for 91 yards but no scores and senior Eddie Britton has eight catches for 75 yards (9.4 YPC) and one score.

RB Jeffers has six receptions for 41 yards but no scores. Tramain Swindall didn’t play in the opener but returned with a vengeance against Rice. The sophomore from Oklahoma had six catches for 123 yards (20.5 YPC) and two TD's last week.

Freshman speedster Austin Zouzalik played a little more in week two because of an injury to Lewis. The freshman from Lubbock did not disappoint, as he caught the first touchdown reception of his career against Rice.

On the year, Zouzalik has hauled in six passes for 69 yards (11.5 YPC) with one score. Zouzalik will also be a major factor in the return game during his time at Texas Tech.

Adam James has four grabs for 41 yards and a score. RB Batch has three catches for 49 yards (16 YPC) but no scores. RB Stephens has one reception for 34 yards and a TD to round out the Raiders’ scoring.

Noteworthy

What will happen:

Texas leads the all-time series between the two schools 42-15
At 77-39, Mike Leach is five wins away from passing Spike Dykes for the all-time wins mark at Texas Tech
UT is 27-5 in home games against Texas Tech
This year’s national championship trophy will be at the game in Austin

Texas Tech faces the tall task of knocking off UT in Austin. Traveling without top DE Rajon Henley and missing departed ends Brandon Williams, McKinner Dixon, and Brandon Sesay will make that chore a little tougher.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Texas Tech; Mike Leach’s passing attack can befuddle any defense and fans can feel certain that Tech’s head man has an ace or two up his sleeve. Ultimately though, Texas is too talented this year.

Prediction:

Texas Tech: 38

Texas: 55

Rice Visits Texas Tech: Old Southwest Conference Foes Renew Rivalry

John Baucum — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:00:25 -0400

Introduction

Coming off a 44-24 loss to UAB, the Rice Owls make their first trip back to Lubbock, Texas since the Southwest Conference folded after the 1995 season. Owls’ sophomore QB Nick Fanuzzi will get the nod to start after a strong performance last week.

An uninspiring start by Mike Leach’s Red Raiders makes this week’s game a little more interesting than some previously thought. Chalk up the Red Raiders’ slow start to first game jitters or perhaps a little bit of rust.

Rice Passing

The aforementioned Fanuzzi was 12-20 (60 percent) with one TD and no INT's. John Thomas Shepherd was 10-22 last week and will serve as the primary backup after earning the start over Fanuzzi in last week’s contest. Fanuzzi also added three rushes for seven yards and a TD. Shepherd gained 48 yards on six carries.

Rice Rushing

Aside from Shepherd’s 48 yards, Rice’s leading rushers were Tyler Smith, who tallied 37 yards on 11 touches and Charles Ross, who also chipped in 37 yards on five carries. Marcus Knox added two carries for 12 yards, and added Rice’s other rushing score. In all, the Owls rushed the ball 34 times for 156 yards (4.6 yards per carry).

Rice Receiving

Senior Toren Dixon paced the Owls receivers with nine catches for 65 yards (seven yards per catch) with a long of 15. However, it was Luke Wilson that provided the highlight.

The freshman from Lasara hauled in a 52 yard touchdown pass from Fanuzzi. Taylor Wardlow and Pierre Beasley each caught three passes and no other Owl managed more than two. Collectively, the Owls caught 22 passes for 235 yards (10.7 YPC).

Texas Tech Passing

Taylor Potts’ debut as the starter for Texas Tech had mixed results. On the positive side, the junior from Abilene was 34-48 (71 percent) for 405 yards and showed some toughness by running for two TD's. On the other hand, he made some bad decisions and finished the game with three INT's.

It’s doubtful that Potts and head man Mike Leach were fired up about completing passes to the other team. Touchdown passes to Adam James and Detron Lewis showed glimpses of a promising future for Tech’s top gunslinger.

Texas Tech Rushing

The dynamic duo of Baron Batch and Harrison Jeffers had its moments. However, much more is expected out of them and both are likely highly motivated by last week’s results. Batch ran the ball nine times for 30 yards (3.3 yards per carry) and one score. Jeffers, in his first collegiate game, tallied two carries for 12 yards.

Batch’s punishing running style and elusiveness make him a real threat in Leach’s spread offense. Jeffers’ combination of world-class speed and smaller frame could spell disaster for opposing defenses eager to blitz. Just as it was mentioned last week, fans should expect big things from the running game this year.

Texas Tech Receiving

Although they play different positions, teammates and media members alike have compared Detron Lewis to former Tech All-American WR Michael Crabtree. Lewis did little to eschew the comparisons by catching eight passes for 146 yards (18 yards per catch) with a dazzling 49-yard score.

Alexander Torres, in his first action since transferring from Air Force, caught five passes for 51 yards. RB Jeffers hauled in five for 39, and speedy senior Ed Britton managed four for 42. Potts’ favorite target from high school, Lyle Leong, snagged four balls for 55 yards and Adam James caught two for 24 yards and a score.

Cornelius Douglas caught two for 11 yards and Jacoby Franks caught one for three yards. Freshman Austin Zouzalik caught one pass for 16 yards and also showed some nifty moves in the return game. Zouzalik has a bright future—both as a receiver and as a return man.

Though Crabtree no longer dons the red and black, Tech has assembled a solid combination of sure-handed receivers and added some depth. Opposing defenses may not have a star to prepare for, but they can’t go to sleep on the Red Raiders or they’re going to see six points added to the scoreboard.

Noteworthy:

Texas Tech leads the all-time series with the Rice Owls 26-20-1. The last time a Rice team beat Texas Tech, Bert Emanuel was quarterbacking the Owls in the early 1990’s.

Last week's win gave Mike Leach a career record of 76-39. He is now just six wins away from becoming the school's all-time wins leader. Spike Dykes currently holds the record with 82.

Expect the Red Raiders to come out blazing in this one. Last week’s win against North Dakota was not quite what coaches, players, and fans want to see from the 2009 Texas Tech squad.

Prediction:

Rice: 17

Texas Tech: 45

Texas Tech Hosts North Dakota; Leach Hands Offense to Another Awesome QB

John Baucum — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:40:14 -0400

North Dakota Introduction

In only their second year of Division I competition, North Dakota faces a tall task in keeping the game close with a veteran team like Texas Tech. It’s a good barometer of talent for a team that went 6-4 last season and returns 30 letter winners from last year’s team.

North Dakota Passing

Jake Landry is in his first season as the starter for North Dakota after serving as the primary backup for the last two seasons. He has completed 17-31 passes (63) with one TD. He will be backed up by sophomore Brent Goska.

North Dakota Rushing

Catlin Solum paces the rushing attack for the Fighting Sioux. He had 29 carries for 120 yards last season (4 yards per carry) and one TD. He will be backed up by redshirt freshman Mitch Sutton.

North Dakota Receiving

Senior Ryan Konrath paces the receivers along with FB Marcus Tibesar. Sophomore receiver Chris Anderson and senior TE Noah Dombrovski will also start the game.

Texas Tech Introduction

The departure of Graham Harrell, the NCAA career leader in touchdown passes and Michael Crabtree, the 10^th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, media pundits are picking Texas Tech to fall back to a middle-of-the-road football team. However, these guys haven’t followed Mike Leach and Texas Tech very long.

There was a time when losing top-tier talent would inevitably lead to a slip in wins. However, those days are over because Mike Leach has brought in talent from all over the place. Instead of rebuilding, Texas Tech is reloading. The quality depth that has been accumulating the last several years in Lubbock is going to surprise people this season.

Texas Tech Passing

Junior QB Taylor Potts takes over for Graham Harrell. Potts’ stronger arm, height, and overall athleticism has many college football insiders excited about his ability to make Tech fans move past Harrell’s legendary exploits.

However, it will be Potts’ mental approach to the game and quick decision making that will allow him to succeed. If Summer workouts are any indication of Potts’ preparedness, Big 12 defensive coordinators better get ready for a few sleepless nights. Potts’ poise, accuracy and leadership will give Mike Leach options that he’s not had with any of the other first year starters at Texas Tech. In spot duty last season, Potts completed 23-36 passes (64%) for 260 yards with two TDs and one INT.

Texas Tech Rushing

For perhaps the first time in Mike Leach’s tenure, his corps of running backs may be better than his receivers. Junior Baron Batch and his league-leading 6.7 yards-per-carry average return to headline the group. Redshirt freshman Harrison Jeffers, a speedster from Oklahoma, is a threat to torch the turf all the way to the endzone every time he touches the ball.

Reliable sophomore Aaron Crawford is also in the mix after recovering from an injury-plagued 2008 season. True freshman Eric Stephens rounds out the group. Stephens’ contributions will be heaviest in the return game this season, but it speaks to his quality of play that the coaching staff is not redshirting the youngster given the stable of backs ahead of him. Tech fans should expect great things from the running backs this season.

Texas Tech Receiving

Two-time Biletnikoff winner Michael Crabtree is gone. However, Texas Tech has a wealth of talented pass catchers eager to prove their worth. Detron Lewis, Alex Torres, Edward Britton and Cornelius Douglas figure to be the starters. Lubbock Coronado product Austin Zouzalik will spell Detron Lewis and purportedly has speed to burn. Jacoby Franks will back up Torres, sure-handed Lyle Leong will backup Britton and Adam James and Tramain Swindall will sub in for Douglas.

Many of these guys are relative unknowns to the casual observer. That won’t last long, though. Expect this group of receivers to contain more than a few household names by Texas Tech’s week three trip to Austin.

Intangibles

After navigating a turbulent off-season contract dispute, Mike Leach returns to the friendly confines of the football field with plenty of talent to help him prove that Texas Tech can win despite losing marquee names on offense and defense alike. Expect the offensive mastermind to continue his aerial assault and his trademark commentary on a variety of topics.

In the world of big-money collegiate athletics, games like this serve as a revenue booster for a school like North Dakota. Expect Mike Leach and his crew to play plenty of reserves and get some fine-tuning accomplished along the offensive and defensive lines. Although Michigan will sing a different tune after their experience with Appalachian State a few years ago, this Fighting Sioux team has very little chance in this game.

Prediction:

North Dakota: 17

Texas Tech 66

Rally for Mike Leach: Calling Fans to Support America's Favorite Pirate

John Baucum — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:36:41 -0500

Rally for Mike Leach

Texas Tech fans: Your help is needed. From 11:30 to 1 PM Tuesday, Feb. 17, there will be a public rally in support of Mike Leach. The gathering will be held directly outside the football offices across from the East side of the stadium.

Support Coach Leach!

Fans are encouraged to bring signs. Here are a few ideas.

11-2 = Raise and Extension

Best in school history

39-33 What’s next?

Texas Tech Please Sign Mike!

Leach + new contract = Championships!

Hance, Please Save the Day!

Cotton Bowl Preview: Texas Tech Battles Ole Miss In Lonestar QB Showdown

John Baucum — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:49:39 -0500

Introduction:

Texas Tech and Ole Miss square off in the Cotton Bowl at 1 PM tomorrow on Fox. After a tough loss at OU, Texas Tech would like to finish with the first 12-win season in school history. Standing in the way is Ole Miss’ “Wild Rebel” attack.

Coach Houston Nutt utilizes two running backs instead of a QB in certain situations. This particular offense has also made a splash in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins using it to get them back into the playoffs.

Ole Miss Passing:

Ole Miss is led by Stephenville product Jevan Snead.

On the season Snead has completed 166-298 passes (55.7%) for 2,470 yards with 23 TDs and 12 INTs. He also has 50 rushes for 62 yards and 3 scores.

Ole Miss Rushing:

To say that running the football is the Rebels strength is a gross understatement. Cordera Eason leads Ole Miss in carries.

On the year he has 137 attempts for 644 yards (4.7 YPC) and three scores. Multidimensional weapon Dexter McCluster is next with 95 rushes for 588 yards (5.9 YPC) and five TDs.

Brandon Bolden has 87 carries for 441 yards (5.1 YPC) and four scores.

Enrique Davis has 59 carries for 222 yards (3.8 YPC) and three TDs. QB Snead has three rushing scores to Markeith Summers 2 carries for 19 yards and one score.

Ole Miss Receiving:

Shay Hodge leads the Rebels with 42 catches for 676 yards (16.1 YPC) and 8 scores.

Dexter McCluster is next with 38 receptions for 542 yards (14.3 YPC) and one score.

Mike Wallace is next with 35 catches for 704 yards (20.1 YPC) and six TDs.

RB Eason has nine catches for 73 yards (8.1 YPC) and two TDs.

RB Bolden has eight catches for 94 yards (11.8 YPC) and one score.

Jason Cook has seven catches for 47 yards (6.7 YPC) and one score. Gerald Harris has 5 catches for 55 yards (11 YCP) and two TDs.

Derrick Davis has two catches for six yards and two scores. Bradley Sowell has one catch for one yard and one score.

Texas Tech Passing:

Graham Harrell enters his final game as Texas Tech QB playing in a virtual home game. The Ennis native needs two touchdown passes to become the NCAA career leader.

On the season, Harrell has completed 406-568 (71.5%) for 4,747 yards with 41 TDs and 7 INTs.

Texas Tech Rushing:

The Red Raiders’ two-headed monster of Shannon Woods and Baron Batch no doubt used the break between the last game and the bowl game to heal up.

Shannon Woods leads the team in carries with 135 for 670 yards (5.0 YPC) and 12 TDs. Batch is next with 111 carries for 742 yards (6.7 YPC) and seven TDs.

WR Eric Morris is next with six rushes for 34 yards and two scores. Injured RB Aaron Crawford had eight rushes for 26 yards and one score before sitting out the rest of the season.

QB Harrell has 35 rushes for -58 yards (-1.7 YPC) and six scores.

Texas Tech Receiving:

Michael Crabtree leads the Red Raider WRs. On the year, Crabtree has 93 catches for 1,135 (12.2 YPC) and 18 TDs.

Detron Lewis is next with 71 catches for 869 yards (12.2 YPC) and three scores.

Morris is next with 64 catches for 682 yards (10.7 YPC) and eight TDs.

RB Batch is next with 43 catches for 442 yards (10.3 YPC) and one score.

Tramain Swindall is next with 42 catches for 528 yards (12.6 YPC) and two scores.

RB Woods has 31 catches for 330 yards (10.6 YPC) and two scores.

Edward Britton has 30 catches for 490 yards (16.3 YPC) and four scores.

Lyle Leong has 17 catches for 199 yards (11.7 YPC) and three scores.

TE Adam James has 15 catches for 159 yards (10.6 YPC) and one score.

FB Ryan Hale has one catch for four yards and one TD.

Key Matchups:

Texas Tech’s run defense will be tested in a huge way against the unpredictable nature of Ole Miss’ “Wild Rebel” attack.

On the other side of the coin, the Rebels' pass defense also has a lofty challenge in the form of the Red Raiders' passing attack.

Tech’s offensive line will have its hands full with the athletic Rebels defensive line and they must step up to the challenge and give Harrell time to find his WRs down the field.

Intangibles:

Some analysts are saying that the Red Raiders are disappointed that they didn’t land in the BCS Championship Game and will come out uninspired in the Cotton Bowl.

In Mike Leach’s tenure, Texas Tech has started slow a few times, but they definitely play well in bowl games. Expect this one to be no different. Ole Miss, after not making a bowl last year, is in a similar position.

The contrasting styles make this game very interesting—the nation’s top passing attack against a really aggressive running offense. Houston Nutt is 2-5 in bowl games and Mike Leach is 5-3.

Prediction:

Texas Tech: 45

Ole Miss: 38

Baylor-Texas Tech: Red Raiders Try to Rebound, Knock off Bears

John Baucum — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:15:32 -0500

Introduction

Coming off a disappointing loss, Texas Tech enters its season finale eager to prove it is a much better team than the one that played in Norman last week. However, the normally tame Baylor Bears will present plenty of challenges.

New head coach Art Briles has Baylor playing well. Dynamic freshman QB Robert Griffin is playing really well and has many weapons at his disposal in Baylor's version of the spread offense.

Baylor Passing

The aforementioned Griffin is a true talent for the Bears. His running and passing abilities make him one of the top young players in the talented Big 12.

On the year, Griffin has completed 148-252 passes (58.7%) for 2,000 yards with 14 TDs and 2 INTs. He has also rushed 155 times for 744 yards (4.8 YPC) and 11 TDs.

Baylor Rushing

Jay Finley is the leading RB for the Bears with 134 attempts for 760 yards (5.7 YPC) and 7 TDs. Next is Jacoby Jones with 45 rushes for 192 yards (4.3 YPC) with 5 TDs.

Receiver Kendall Wright has 28 carries for 165 yards (5.9 YPC) and 1 score. Jeremy Sanders has 34 attempts for 128 yards (3.8 YPC) 1 TD. Ray Sims has 29 attempts for 122 yards (4.2 YPC) and 1 TD.

Baylor Receiving

Kendall Wright leads Baylor's receiving corps with 47 catches for 635 yards (13.5 YPC) with 5 scores. Thomas White is next with 31 grabs for 346 yards (11.2 YPC) and 2 scores.

David Gettis has 27 receptions for 369 yards (13.7 YPC), but with scores. Justin Akers has 13 catches for 158 yards (12.2 YPC) and 2 scores. Brad Taylor has 8 catches for 93 yards (11.6 YPC) and 1 TD.

Ernest Smith has 6 catches for 174 yards (29 YPC) and 2 scores. Justin Fenty has 6 catches for 50 yards (8.3 YPC) and 1 TD. Jay Finley has 6 catches for 135 yards (22.5 YPC) and 2 scores.

Texas Tech Passing

Graham Harrell leads the Red Raiders offense. On the season, Harrell has completed 365-518 for 4.438 yards with 39 TDs and 6 INTs. In his final game at the friendly confines of Jones AT&T, fans should expect the senior leader to be razor sharp.

Harrell has had a stellar career; with only one more regular season game to go, the gunslinger's final game will no doubt be a great performance.

Texas Tech Rushing

The Oklahoma game marked the first time all season that the Red Raider rushing attack did not reach the 100 yard mark in a game in this season. Texas Tech must run the football successfully to keep the Baylor defense from dropping back extra defenders in pass coverage.

Senior Shannon Woods leads Texas Tech's rushing attack with 124 carries for 627 yards (5.1 YPC) with 11 TDs.

Baron Batch is next with 101 rushes for 714 yards (7.1 YPC) with 5 scores.

Receiver Eric Morris has six carries for 34 yards (5.7 YPC) with two scores. Aaron Crawford has 8 carries for 26 yards (3.3 YPC) with one score.

Texas Tech Receiving

Senior Day for the Red Raiders will also mark the final home appearance for sophomore WR Michael Crabtree. His two remarkable seasons at Texas Tech have caught the eye of NFL talent scouts and most expect Texas Tech's game-breaking WR to be a first round selection in April's NFL Draft.

It will be a bittersweet moment for Texas Tech fans. But, there's no doubt that Mike Leach has the next great WR either on the way or already playing for the Red Raiders!

Crabtree paces Tech's receivers with 84 receptions for 1,072 yards (12.8 YPC) and 18 TDs. Detron Lewis is next with 62 receptions for 801 yards (12.9 YPC) and 2 scores.

Eric Morris is next with 60 receptions for 655 yards (10.9 YPC) and 7 TDs. Tramain Swindall follows him 40 catches for 506 yards (12.7 YPC) and 2 TDs.

Batch throws in 37 grabs for 406 yards (11.0 YPC) and 1 score. Edward Britton has 29 catches for 482 yards (16.6 YPC) and 4 scores. Shannon Woods, Lyle Leong, Adam James, and Ryan Hale have combined to score seven TDs.

Intangibles

Like last week, Mike Leach faces a former colleague. Baylor coach Art Briles spent two season's at Texas Tech as the running backs' coach.

Briles' familiarity with Texas Tech's might help him plan for the game, but he simply doesn't have the defensive talent to slow down Tech's offensive attack.

Coming off the season's first loss, it will be interesting to see how Texas Tech responds. Expect Mike Leach to have the Red Raiders ready to play.

Prediction

Baylor 27

Texas Tech 56

TTU-OU: Mike Leach Takes His Aerial Show on the Road, Looks to Shock Sooners

John Baucum — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:47:05 -0500

Introduction

The showdown between No. 2 Texas Tech and No. 5 Oklahoma will be a battle of wills. Both teams are extremely talented and each still has the opportunity to play its way into the BCS National Championship. The stakes could not be higher for either team.

OU brings tradition and big game experience into the game. Texas Tech has in its corner the confidence of a giant slayer. After all, Texas Tech remains the only team to knock off Texas this season.

Texas Tech’s story doesn’t end there, however. The Red Raiders followed up the emotional win over UT with a 56-20 shellacking of Mike Gundy’s Oklahoma State squad.

This week, though, Texas Tech faces a juggernaut and the Raiders don’t have the support of their home fans.

OU Passing

Sam Bradford leads the Sooners' offense. On the season he has completed 224-330 passes (67.9 percent) for 3,406 yards with 38 TDs and six INTs.

Bradford has been razor sharp this season and he’s not afraid to throw the deep ball on any defense. His main target, Manuel Johnson, missed several games but that didn’t slow down OU’s passing attack.

OU Rushing

Oklahoma State’s Kendall Hunter is the Big 12’s top RB but next on this list are two OU standouts.

DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown form an intimidating two-headed monster. Murray has 146 carries for 804 yards (5.5 YPC) with 11 TDs. Brown isn’t far behind with 128 carries for 782 yards (6.1 YPC) with 12 TDs.

Mossis Madu (three) and QB Bradford (four) have OU’s other rushing TDs this year.

OU Receiving

Until this week it was hard to imagine facing an opponent with a receiving corps as talented as Texas Tech’s. OU’s bunch passes the test. The Sooners are extremely deep with talented WRs all over the field.

The only thing holding back OU’s group of receivers is the Sooner run game. Juaquin Iglesias paces the group with 51 catches for 853 yards (16.7 YPC) with six TDs. Jermaine Gresham, perhaps the nation’s best TE, is next with 36 catches for 553 yards (15.4 YPC) and nine scores.

Manuel Johnson has 34 receptions for 587 yards (17.3 YPC) and eight TDs. Freshman Ryan Broyles, who visited Texas Tech, has 30 grabs for 502 yards (16.7 YPC) and five scores. RB Murray, RB Quentin Chaney, FB Matt Clapp, RB Brown, and TE Kolby Smith combine for 11 TDs between them.

Texas Tech Passing

Graham Harrell leads the Red Raiders' offense. He has completed 332-463 passes (71.7 percent) for 4,077 yards with 36 TDs and five INTs. Harrell has been the toast of the town these last few weeks after forcing media pundits everywhere to eat crow.

Harrell’s leadership and big-play moxie have carried Texas Tech through a multitude of potential roadblocks that were allegedly supposed to sink Mike Leach’s pirate ship. So far, the ship is undamaged and with Harrell at the wheel, it’s easy to see why.

Texas Tech Rushing

Shannon Woods and Baron Batch are like flint and steel—each is useful but together they become explosive. Woods leads Texas Tech with 116 carries for 588 yards (5.1 YPC) with 11 TDs. Batch is next with 93 carries for 667 yards (7.2 YPC) with five scores. WR Eric Morris has two scores on the ground, RB Aaron Crawford has one, and QB Harrell has six.

Texas Tech Receiving

Michael Crabtree proved he was the nation’s best WR in the matchup with OSU’s Dez Bryant two weeks ago in Lubbock. Crabtree also boasts what many would consider to be the catch-of-the-year with his electrifying sideline scamper to knock UT from the nation’s No. 1 ranking.

On the year, Crabtree has 78 catches for 1,010 yards (12.9 YPC) and 18 TDs. Detron Lewis is next with 57 grabs for 730 yards (12.8 YPC) with one score. Eric Morris has 56 catches for 595 yards (10.6 YPC) with six TDs. Oklahoma native Tramain Swindall has 36 catches for 456 yards (12.7 YPC) with one score.

Speedy junior Ed Britton has come up big the last few weeks after barely showing up through the first half of the year. He now has 29 catches for 482 yards (16.6 YPC) with four scores. Britton's speed lined up on the opposite side of Crabtree forces defenses to account for him. He’s a true matchup problem and Texas Tech fans everywhere should expect his success to continue.

RB Woods, Lyle Leong, Adam James, and Ryan Hale combine for seven TDs.

Intangibles

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has an impeccable resume, especially in home games. He is 59-2 in games played in Norman. The OU head man also has extensive knowledge of Mike Leach. However, coach Leach brings a different Red Raider team to town. Leach’s ability to game plan well against his former boss will be of utmost importance if the Red Raiders are to keep their national title hopes alive.

If Texas Tech’s solid offensive line can give Harrell time, the Red Raiders should be able to stay in the game and challenge the Sooners. OU lost their team leader in linebacker Ryan Reynolds, but it’s the athletic cornerbacks that have befuddled Texas Tech in the past. Look for Harrell and the Red Raiders to play well despite what is undoubtedly the Red Raiders' stiffest road test.

Prediction

Texas Tech: 44

OU: 38

Lone Star Gunslinger: Graham Harrell Leads Texas Tech to Parts Unknown

John Baucum — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:54:23 -0500

Heading into Saturday’s showdown with No. 5 Oklahoma, Graham Harrell has a chance to do something no other Texas Tech quarterback has done—lead the Red Raiders to the Big 12 Championship game.

Despite his team’s unblemished record (which features wins over No. 19 Kansas, No. 1 Texas, and No. 9 Oklahoma State), few people give Texas Tech much chance to win at OU. That’s probably fine with Graham Harrell. The Red Raiders were underdogs against Kansas and Texas, too.

Simply put, Graham Harrell is the best QB in head coach Mike Leach’s tenure at Texas Tech. Now, let’s examine some reasons why.

First, Harrell is a natural leader and has displayed these leadership qualities since he became the starter in 2006. Harrell’s background also helps when it comes to being successful at QB. He is the son of a coach. He’s spent hours upon hours looking at film and dissecting defenses.

Additionally, Harrell has played in the shotgun since he was 12 or 13 years old. His poise in the pocket and ability to find receivers is unrivaled. The greatness of Mike Leach’s offense is on full display with Graham Harrell in the shotgun awaiting the snap.

Harrell has a connection with his receivers and running backs that other Tech QBs haven’t enjoyed. He seldom makes a bad read, and his sure-handed receivers usually don’t let him down.

What’s new this season is Harrell’s increased pocket savvy. He’s shown a greater ability to sidestep pass rushers, as well as the ability to run for a first down when other options are covered. Few realize that Harrell rushed for 1,000 yards and 17 TDs during his senior season of high school football.

Harrell came to Texas Tech like many others—not too heavily recruited, but with enough talent to garner attention from recruiting experts. Harrell’s offer list included Wisconsin, Louisiana Tech, Arizona State, Baylor, Georgia, NC State, and Purdue. Texas Tech’s biggest competition for his services was NC State.

But Harrell saw something special in Mike Leach’s offense and has been climbing NCAA passing charts ever since he signed on the dotted line.

In a season of firsts, it’s no coincidence that Harrell is leading the charge. Texas Tech is enjoying its first 10-0 start since 1938, and the team celebrated its first victory over a No. 1 team in program history. Harrell’s experience and decision-making are two of the reasons for Texas Tech’s meteoric rise.

A constant knock on Graham Harrell is that he’s a system QB. That can’t be further from the truth. Harrell has done everything that is asked of him and more—and he’s done more than any other Texas Tech QB.

Harrell’s NFL chances may hinge on his ability to put on weight and increase his foot speed. Over the last few weeks he has made all the throws that NFL QBs make, and he’s done it on a national stage against good defenses. Anyone who believes Graham Harrell can’t be a pro football player is judging Harrell based on previous Tech QBs and not on what Harrell has accomplished.

Mike Leach’s first QB at Texas Tech, Kliff Kingsbury, threw for 5,017 yards with 45 TDs and 13 INTs. Harrell has at least three games to play and has thrown for 4,077 yards with 36 TDs and five INTs. Kingsbury’s go-to guy was Wes Welker, and Harrell has Michael Crabtree.

Welker is proving his worth with the New England Patriots, and Crabtree continues to add to his lore at Texas Tech. But don’t criticize Harrell’s game for Crabtree’s success—he is far from the only weapon at Harrell’s disposal.

Harrell outshines Kingsbury for several reasons. One, he hasn’t lost. Two, changes in clock rules have shortened the games. Three, Harrell is able to utilize a vastly superior running game that has taken away opportunities for passing yardage, but helped the team win.

Also, Harrell broke Kingsbury’s school record for passing yards in only the fifth game of his senior season.

However, Kingsbury and Texas Tech’s past aren’t on Harrell’s mind. The senior from Ennis has a potential Big 12 Championship game to play and a trip to New York City on the horizon. Go ahead and doubt Graham Harrell, but don’t be surprised if he comes out on top.

OK State-Texas Tech: Red Raiders Look To Continue Great Season, BCS Bowl Hopes

John Baucum — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:27:37 -0500

Texas Tech and Oklahoma State enter Saturday’s game hoping to remain in the Big 12 title hunt. Oklahoma State features several similarities to Texas Tech. The Cowboys have a dynamic QB in Zac Robinson, a dynamic receiver in Dez Bryant, and an under-rated defense.

The comparisons don’t end there. The ‘Pokes use the “guns up” hand sign, and have a horse that runs the length of the field. I wonder where they got the idea for these iconic symbols? Like their rivals at OU, it appears that Oklahoma State also appreciates thievery.

Oklahoma State Passing:

Zac Robinson leads the OSU passing game. With great targets in Dez Bryant and multi-talented TE Brandon Pettigrew, Robinson can get the Cowboys into the end zone faster than Boone Pickens can earn (or lose) $1 Billion. Robinson is 129-187 (69%) for 2,082 yards with 20 TDs and five INTs. In the running game, Robinson is just as dangerous as Colt McCoy. In last year’s contest he rushed 13 times for 116 yards and two scores.

Oklahoma State Rushing:

Dantrell Savage is gone. However, Kendall Hunter may be the best RB in the Big 12 and his backup, Keith Toston, is no slouch. Hunter has rushed 182 times for 1,220 yards (6.7 YPC) and 11 scores. Toston adds 76 carries for 565 yards (7.4 YPC) and eight more TDs.

QB Robinson hasn’t quite put up the rushing numbers he had last year but he’s still very dangerous. Robinson has 92 rushes for 341 yards (3.7 YPC) and five TDs. Something to keep an eye on is OSU’s punter, Matt Fodge. He has rushed twice for 28 yards.

Oklahoma State Receiving:

The Cowboys feature a near clone of Michael Crabtree in sophomore Dez Bryant. On the season Bryant has 60 catches for 1,054 yards (17.6 YPC) and 15 TD’s. The Lufkin native flirted with Texas Tech during the recruiting process but never wound up visiting Lubbock.

TE Brandon Pettigrew is OSU’s next best receiver. He’s a freakish athlete who turned a short dump off pass into a 54-yard touchdown in last year’s contest in Stillwater. This year, the senior has 21 catches for 236 yards (11.2 YPC) but no scores. Typically OSU likes to use their TE in the red zone against Texas Tech, so don’t be surprised if Pettigrew is the target near the goal line.

Bo Bowling and Damian Davis have combined for 18 grabs , 394 yards and four TDs. Former Texas Tech commitment Jeremy Broadway has two catches for 118 yards and one score. His TD was a 95 yarder against Iowa State last week.

Texas Tech Passing:

Graham Harrell leads the offensive attack for the Red Raiders. He has completed 292-413 passes (70.7%) for 3,621 yards with 30 TDs and five INTs. The senior from Ennis has got to be licking his chops. In last year’s game, Harrell passed for 646 yards with five TDs and no INT’s. The Cowboys won the game so Harrell’s stats are little more than an after-thought but you’ve got to like his chances of another solid performance Saturday night.

Texas Tech Rushing:

With a healthy tandem of Shannon Woods and Baron Batch, Texas Tech’s ground game has kept opposing defenses off balance and kept opposing offenses off the field. Look for that trend to continue this week if the Red Raiders are going to win. Shannon Woods leads the elusive duo with 107 carries for 552 yards (5.2 YPC) with 10 scores. Batch isn’t far behind with 82 carries for 588 yards (7.2 YPC) and five scores.

Texas Tech will also need them to continue their excellent blitz pickup. Eric Morris has six rushes for 34 yards (5.7 YPC) and two scores and injured RB Aaron Crawford has eight carries for 26 yards and one score. QB Harrell has six rushing TDs as well.

Texas Tech Receiving:

Michael Crabtree leads Texas Tech with 70 catches for 921 yards (13.2 YPC) and 15 TDs. Detron Lewis is next with 50 grabs for 637 yards (12.7 YPC) and one score. Eric Morris has 46 catches for 498 yards (10.8 YPC) and five scores and Tramain Swindall has 33 catches for 422 yards (12.8 YPC) and one TD.

Swindall is primed for a big game this week. He found holes in UT’s defense and will likely do the same against OSU. He also caught nearly everything thrown his way and did not fumble a ball last week.

Edward Britton is starting to become the dangerous weapon I thought he’d be. After catching a TD pass on the second play of the game against Kansas, the junior from El Paso followed that up with a very solid seven catches for 139 yards (19.9 YPC) against Texas.

Britton is unquestionably the team’s speed burner and a legitimate deep threat, but he’s also elusive enough to cause matchup problems against linebackers or safeties in the middle of the field.

RB Batch has shown to be very effective in the screen game and has 27 catches for 324 yards (12.0 per catch) and one TD. Adam James, Lyle Leong and Ryan Hale have combined for 24 catches, 226 yards and five TDs.

Intangibles:

To the national media and people outside of West Texas, the Red Raiders are due for a letdown game. I believe Texas Tech has already sailed through those stormy waters after closer-than anticipated wins against Nevada and Nebraska.

To keep his team focused, Mike Leach preaches one game at a time and play the next play more often than parents hound a youngster about tying their shoes. Look for the Red Raiders to be sharp in this contest. Most of the players on this Texas Tech team were part of that agonizing loss against the Cowboys last year and won’t soon forget that awful feeling.

However, the Cowboys have the talent to make this game a blood boiling, nail-biting shootout. Mike Gundy is relatively inexperienced in big games and aside from a disingenuous speech defending a player after last year’s meeting, hasn’t proven that he can handle the media attention that accompanies a top-flight Big 12 program.

In terms of what it means for each team and its conference implications, this game is a must-win for both teams. Look for the Red Raiders superior defensive play and dominant offensive line to help push Texas Tech ahead in this one.

Prediction:
OK State—41
Texas Tech—45

Mike Leach's Rarified Air: A Tribute to Texas Tech's Unflappable Coach

John Baucum — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:26:23 -0400

Texas Tech hosts the University of Texas Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium. The Red Raiders have a chance at an historic moment. A win dramatically increases Tech’s chances of playing for their first Big 12 Championship and also keeps the door wide open for the Red Raiders to play for the national title

Previous seasons featured losses to inferior teams and an occasional meltdown against Oklahoma or Texas. We’ve not seen that this season. Mike Leach’s crew has won all its games.

It should also be noted that were it not for a questionable decision by Tulsa to cancel a game in the offseason, there would likely be one less undefeated team and one more feather in Texas Tech’s cap.

Mike Leach, the creative mastermind of the most entertaining offense in college football, is the man responsible. He carves up opposing defenses faster than Rosie O’Donnell handles a Thanksgiving turkey.

Leach’s uniquely aggressive play calling and superior eye for talent has the Red Raiders in position to shake the foundation of America’s infatuation with “traditional” offenses.

For his part, the venerable Captain of Texas Tech’s pirate ship has been diplomatic when defending his players against the “system” label.

The simple fact is this: Every bit of praise heaped upon Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson, Doak Walker, and the rest of history’s best running backs should be equally directed to Texas Tech’s growing list of standout receivers and signal-callers.

It should also come as no shock that Coach Leach is willing to take his team anywhere. The caveat is that whoever accepts that challenge must also make a return visit to the South Plains. Few have been willing to discuss playing Texas Tech under those circumstances, and even fewer have agreed to such terms.

In reality, this says more about the temerity of other major college football teams than it does about Texas Tech. But prior to Leach, when was the last time college football’s best were afraid to visit the Hub City?

Texas Tech is on to something here. Mike Leach is as special as they come. Even if the Red Raiders don’t win another game this season, no one can deny Leach’s impact on college football.

In a time of coach speak and hidden agendas, Leach has been football’s breath of fresh air and its resident savant. If you run into Leach around Lubbock this week, ask him about movies or your favorite historical figure—he’s already mastered college football.

Texas Tech-Kansas: Red Raiders Enter Stage One of Hard Climb to Big 12's Peak

John Baucum — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:22:18 -0400

Introduction

Texas Tech travels north to take on the Kansas Jayhawks Saturday at 11AM CST on ESPN. With Texas Tech in the top 10 and on the road, a case can be made that this is the biggest football game in Red Raider history.

It will be interesting to see how Texas Tech responds to the pressure of being the underdogs in a game for the first time this season. Kansas had a magical run last season but graduated several players and lost another to the NFL via early entry.

Kansas Passing

KU QB Todd Reesing directs the offense. He has completed 195-280 passes (69.6 percent) for 2,322 with 17 TDs and five INTs. Reesing also provides a threat in the running game. He has rushed 66 times for 110 yards (1.7 yards per attempt) with two TDs. Reesing’s rushing stats may not be eye catching but he gets first downs and puts immense pressure on a defense. The backup QB, Kerry Meier, happens to be KU’s leading receiver. Look for Kansas to stick with Reesing unless an injury of some sort slows him.

Kansas Rushing

The Jayhawk tailback crew is led by Jake Sharp. He has 88 carries for 386 yards (4.4 yards per carry) with five TDs. Angus Quigley is next with 44 carries for 227 yards (5.2 per carry) with two scores. Jocques Crawford, the nation’s No.1 rated JUCO transfer who was once committed to Texas Tech, has 41 rushes for 124 yards (3.0 per carry) with three TDs. The Jayhawks do a great job with their RBs by getting them in space and letting their athletic ability go to work. Hence, the power running game is not their style.

Kansas Receiving

As mentioned above, Kerry Meier is KU’s top target. On the year he has 57 grabs for 632 yards (11.1 per catch) with three TDs. However, Meier is not the Jayhawks’ most dangerous receiving weapon. That distinction goes to Dezmon Briscoe who has 43 catches for 705 yards (16.4 per catch) with eight trips to pay dirt.

The 6-3 200 pound Briscoe should remind Tech fans of Michael Crabtree. Briscoe is capable of beating one-on-one coverage easily and is elusive in the open field. Johnathan Wilson has 22 receptions for 342 yards (15.5 per catch) with two scores. Dexton Fields, a senior from Dallas South Oak Cliff, caught 63 passes for 834 yards and six scores last season. This year, he’s been hampered by injuries but is expected to start this Saturday. This season he has 10 catches for 119 yards with no scores.

Texas Tech Passing

QB Graham Harrell will be in the shotgun for Mike Leach’s Red Raiders. The senior has completed 222-318 passes (69.8 percent) for 2,761 yards with 23 TDs and five INTs. Harrell was not his usual self against Texas A&M—he threw a ball over the middle that was way over the WR’s head and was intercepted. The bad news for Jayhawk fans is that Harrell will likely not make that same mistake this week. Taylor Potts is Harrell’s backup and he is 14-25 (56 percent) with no scores and one INT.

Texas Tech Rushing

Shannon Woods leads the Red Raiders in attempts with 78 rushes for 402 yards (5.2 per carry) and eight scores. Baron Batch has 65 totes for 491 yards (7.6 per carry) with four scores. WR Eric Morris has six runs for 34 yards (5.7 per carry) with two TDs. Sophomore RB Aaron Crawford is coming off but has eight carries for 26 yards (3.3 per carry) with one score. Incidentally, Aaron Crawford is the younger brother of KU’s Jocques Crawford.

Texas Tech has used the running game more this season than in any of the previous eight years of Mike Leach’s tenure. The credit for that goes to Leach, RB coach Seth Littrell, the veteran offensive line, and the dynamic tailbacks. Shannon Woods and Baron Batch are hard, explosive runners but they are also not afraid to lay the wood to opposing teams who decide to blitz Graham Harrell. Texas Tech may not be known as “Tailback U” but the Red Raiders use their running backs in more ways than nearly any other team in college football.

Texas Tech Receiving

Michael Crabtree paces the Red Raider receivers. On the season he has 51 grabs for 724 yards (14.2 per catch) and 12 TDs. Crabtree tried his hand at returning kickoffs last week against Texas A&M. The results were positive as the sophomore from Dallas had a 50-yard return. Detron Lewis has 40 catches for 536 yards (13.4 per catch) with one score and Eric Morris has 35 receptions for 413 yards (11.8 per catch) with two TDs. Tramain Swindall, Baron Batch, Edward Britton and Lyle Leong have combined for seven TDs.

Intangibles

Among conference coaches, only Bob Stoops is likely more familiar with Mike Leach’s coaching and tendencies than Mark Mangino. Both men coached under Stoops at OU. That is a positive for Mangino, but it remains to be seen if KU has good enough corners and safeties to slow down Tech’s passing attack.

On the other side of the coin, the Red Raider defense has traditionally had problems with mobile QBs and Reesing definitely fits into that category. The Red Raiders will have advantages on both the offensive and defensive lines. Kansas starts two freshman offensive tackles and the Red Raider defensive line has been better this season than in any other under Leach’s guidance. Texas Tech is 0-9 against ranked opponents on the road in the last five years but is also 9-1 all-time against Kansas.

Prediction

Texas Tech: 45

Kansas: 38

Texas Tech Visits A&M: Can The Red Raiders Win a Huge Road Test?

John Baucum — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:58:25 -0400

Introduction:

Last year’s preview featured the following definition:

Rival (n): 1. A person or thing that is in a position to dispute another’s preeminence or superiority; a stadium without a rival; 2. A person who is competing for the same object or goal as another, or who tries to equal or outdo another; competitor.

Several fans disagreed with my assertion that Texas Tech and Texas A&M are rivals. The emotion and excitement displayed by fans of both teams seems to discredit individuals who do not feel that Texas Tech and A&M are indeed rivals.

Texas A&M’s slim lead in the overall series (34-31-1) is further proof that this contest has developed into a rivalry. Texas A&M comes into this game sitting at 2-4 after dropping a 44-30 home game against Kansas State. However, there is good talent in College Station, most notably the maturation of sophomore QB Jerrod Johnson.

Texas Tech is heading to College Station off the heels of a 37-31 overtime win against Nebraska. Both teams should be eager to prove they are better than what transpired last week.

Texas A&M Passing

QB Jerrod Johnson leads the Aggie offense. On the season he has completed 88-of-145 passes (60.7 percent) for 1,089 yards with 11 TDs and 4 INTs. He has also run 51 times for 129 yards (2.5 per rush) with 1 TD. At 6-foot-5, 229 pounds, Johnson should remind Texas Tech fans of versatile K-State QB Josh Freeman.

Texas A&M Rushing

Texas A&M has an ultra-talented backfield. Junior speedster Mike Goodson leads the group. He has carried the ball 67 times for 368 yards (5.5 per carry) with 4 TDs. Next on the list is true freshman Cyrus Gray. He has 36 rushes for 156 yards (4.3 per carry) but no scores. Rated the No. 5 RB in the country by Rivals recruiting service, the future is bright for this youngster.

Senior FB Jorvorskie Lane has carried the ball only 21 times for 67 yards (3.2 per carry) and one score to finish A&M’s scoring on the ground so far this season. Lane’s rushing numbers are surprising considering he shed some pounds and is now 6-foot, 285 pounds.

Don’t be surprised to see Lane get some carries against the Red Raiders; he’s a powerful runner despite his girth. Aggie fans better hope he doesn’t make any predictions to the media. (Lane’s guarantee of victory prior to last year’s game fueled a 35-7 A&M loss in Lubbock.) The A&M run game suffers because the offensive line is not playing well this year.

Texas A&M Receiving

Freshman WR Ryan Tannehill leads A&M’s receiving corps. He has caught 28 passes for 401 yards (14.3 per catch) with three scores. Tannehill was recruited as a QB and will battle Jerrod Johnson for that position next spring.

Jeff Fuller, another freshman, has also done well this season. Fuller has 24 receptions for 324 yards (13.5 per catch) with a team-leading four TDs. RB Goodson is next on the receiving charts with 22 catches for 186 yards (8.5 per catch) with three scores. Goodson’s speed makes him very dangerous catching screen passes out of the backfield.

Jamie McCoy, a junior TE from Midland, has 17 catches for 202 yards (11.9 per catch) and 2 scores to round out A&M’s receiving scores this season.

If there is a silver lining to A&M’s 2-4 start, it has to be the play of their receivers. Every single TD pass so far this season has been caught by an underclassman.

Texas Tech Passing

Texas Tech’s offense is likely eager to get this one started after not seeing the field much last week because of Nebraska’s ball-control offense.

For the season, Graham Harrell has completed 178-of-262 passes (67.9 percent) for 2,311 with 20 TDs and 3 INTs. Backup Taylor Potts has completed 14-25 passes for 168 yards with no scores and 1 INT.

Texas Tech Rushing:

The Red Raiders’ ground attack continues to impress. Shannon Woods leads the team in carries with 71 attempts for 382 yards (5.4 per carry) with eight TDs. However, Baron Batch has 52 rushes for 404 yards (7.8 per carry) with three TDs. Both RB’s are explosive and equally capable of making blocks to protect Harrell.

The importance of a solid running game grows as Tech conference opponents who are more familiar with Mike Leach’s passing attack. Eric Morris has six runs for 34 yards (5.7 per carry) with two TDs. Injured RB Aaron Crawford has one rushing score this season and QB Harrell has three scores on the ground to end Tech’s rushing scores.

Texas Tech Receiving

Michael Crabtree leads the Red Raiders in catches, yards and scores. He has posted 43 receptions for 653 yards (15.2 per catch) and 10 TDs on the season. That’s pretty remarkable considering every defensive coordinator in the country knew about the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner.

Detron Lewis, a native of College Station, is next. The sophomore has 31 catches for 444 yards (14.3 per catch) and one score this season. Eric Morris has 28 grabs for 343 yards (12.3 per catch) and two scores.

Freshman Tramain Swindall has 20 catches for 236 yards (11.8 per catch) and one score. Eddie Britton, a speedster from El Paso, has 13 catches for 168 yards (12.9 per catch) and 2 scores. Britton didn’t reach the end zone last week but he did have a 57-yard catch last week against Nebraska.

Lyle Leong has six catches for 69 yards (11.5 per catch) with three scores and Ryan Hale has a four-yard catch for a score to finish Tech’s aerial scoring.

Intangibles

After being out of college football for 12 years, Mike Sherman appears to have a major rebuilding job on his hands at A&M.

But, his football knowledge and NFL experience should give Aggie fans some hope (unlike Dennis Franchione, who rode the coat-tails of LaDainian Tomlinson to undeserved jobs).

Despite Franchione's struggles, not many around A&M thought Sherman would have this much trouble in his first season at the helm.

Home field advantage could be critical in this matchup. Fans should expect a much closer game than the 20 points Las Vegas experts are giving A&M.

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach doesn’t get rattled by anything and his senior QB has won in College Station before. The senior leadership of Texas Tech should give the Red Raiders enough to hold off A&M.

Prediction

Texas A&M 28

Texas Tech 41

Food for Thought

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=str3J5WQ49s

Texas Tech-Nebraska: Surging Red Raiders Host Once Proud Huskers

John Baucum — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:13:58 -0400

Introduction

Consistency, tradition, respect, greatness...these are just a few of the words that used to define Nebraska Cornhusker football. As the Huskers travel to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech, both teams are seeking to prove that those grandiose labels apply to them.

Nebraska is coming off a 52-17 loss to Missouri, while Texas Tech beat Kansas State 58-28 on the road. Bo Pelini is being given the benefit of the doubt in his first season at NU, and Mike Leach has been consistently breaking records in his eight years at Texas Tech. Both men probably deserve more respect than they’re getting for the programs they run.

For Nebraska, the key phrase is “used to.” After the Bill Callahan debacle, it was a great day in Lincoln when the old-school Pelini decided to attempt to right the ship. He faces a daunting rebuilding job in an absolutely loaded Big 12 conference. However, he does have some solid weapons at his disposal.

Nebraska Passing

QB Joe Ganz runs Nebraska’s offense. On the season, he has completed 93-142 passes (65.5 percent) for 1,287 yards with nine TDs and five INTs—not great numbers, but he seems to have found a groove after throwing two of those INTs against Western Michigan in the season opener.

His backup is Patrick Witt, a freshman who has completed four of six passes with no TDs or INTs.

Nebraska Rushing

Multi-talented Marlon Lucky returns for his senior season at Nebraska. On the year he has run the ball 56 times for 232 yards (4.1 per carry) with four TDs. Lucky hasn’t lived up to his lofty billing coming out of North Hollywood High School in 2005, but he still has the tools to be very dangerous in the running game.

Lucky has also caught eight passes for 94 yards (11.8 per catch) with one score. Furthermore, he threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to QB Joe Ganz.

Behind Lucky, Roy Helu has run 32 times for 175 yards (5.5 YPC) with two scores. Quentin Castille and QB Ganz each have one rushing TD to finish NU’s scores on the ground this year.

Nebraska Receiving

Senior WR Todd Peterson leads Nebraska in receptions. On the season he has caught 22 passes for 268 yards (12.2 per catch) with one score. Senior Nate Swift is next on Nebraska’s receiving charts with 20 snags for 304 yards (15.2 YPC) and three scores.

Menelik Holt, Swift’s backup, is third on Nebraska’s receiving lists. He has 13 catches for 170 yards (13.1 YPC) and one score. TE Mike McNeill has caught eight passes for 163 yards (20.4 YPC) and three scores. Texas Tech will have to account for this talented sophomore much more than they did last week against the K-State TEs.

QB Ganz and RB Lucky have caught the other two NU receiving touchdowns.

Texas Tech Passing

Bad news for Nebraska fans: Graham Harrell is coming off his best performance of the season against K-State, and the senior is the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week.

Harrell has completed 158-237 passes (66.7 percent) for 2,027 yards with 18 TDs and three INTs. Harrell found a rhythm with the receivers against Kansas State last week and made fantastic plays look pretty simple. About the only thing he didn’t do was catch one of his own passes.

Backup Taylor Potts is 14-25 (56 percent) with no TDs and one INT.

Texas Tech Rushing

The three-headed monster at Texas Tech may have lost sophomore Aaron Crawford for the time being, but the other two haven’t missed a beat. Both Shannon Woods and Baron Batch were effective running the football and catching passes last week.

On the year, Woods leads the team with 61 carries for 346 yards (5.7 YPC) and seven TDs. Batch is close behind him with 41 carries for 308 yards (7.5 YPC) with three scores. WR Eric Morris, RB Crawford, and QB Harrell each have one rushing TD to finish Tech’s running scores.

Texas Tech Receiving

Michael Crabtree leads the Red Raider receiving corps. He has 38 grabs for 564 yards (14.8 YPC) with eight trips to the end zone. Sophomore Detron Lewis is next with 27 receptions for 397 yards (14.7 YPC) and one score.

Senior Eric Morris is next with 26 catches for 327 yards (12.6 YPC) and two scores. Freshman Tramain Swindall has recorded 19 catches for 230 yards (12.1 YPC) and one score.

My underachiever last week, Ed Britton, has 11 snags for 101 yards (9.2 YPC) and one score. Lyle Leong now has five catches for 64 yards and three scores after reaching the end zone three times in last week’s game. Fullback Ryan Hale’s one catch for four yards and a score finishes Texas Tech’s receiving stats.

Intangibles

This is a game that provides little excitement on the surface. However, a little digging will lead to the discovery that Texas Tech’s 70-10 win in 2004 was the largest margin of defeat in Nebraska history. Ironically, Nebraska’s 56-3 win in Lubbock in 2000 is also the Red Raiders’ worst loss in program annals.

Mike Leach has done an excellent job of avoiding letdowns so far this year—an important hurdle for a program attempting to prove it is a contender on the national scene. The Red Raiders will have to continue that solid play against a Nebraska squad coming off of two straight home losses against Virginia Tech and Missouri.

Bo Pelini has the experience and acumen to challenge Mike Leach’s spread and shred offense. However, he simply doesn’t have the horses to compete with Texas Tech’s bevy of offensive weapons this season. Couple that with Texas Tech’s solid offensive line, and you’ve got the makings of another Red Raider win.

Prediction

Nebraska: 31

Texas Tech: 52

Texas Tech Faces Road Test in Athletic Kansas State Team

John Baucum — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:55:05 -0400

Introduction

Texas Tech enters Saturday’s road game against Kansas State eager to prove it belongs among the nation’s elite. It’s ironic that the first Big 12 game was played between these two teams in 1996, a game Kansas State won 21-14. This time, however, Texas Tech is undoubtedly the superior team.

Mike Leach and his staff have worked tirelessly over the last eight years to prove that Texas Tech is more than just a fun team to watch. The talent level at Texas Tech has increased each year, and expectations have risen even more rapidly.

Manhattan, Kan., is a tough place to play, and the Tech coaching staff realizes that. Tech’s only win at K-State came in 2004 when Danny Amendola returned a punt for a score and DE Adell Duckett intercepted a screen pass for another score. 35-25 was the final in that game.

Kansas State Passing

Kansas State will lean heavily upon the arm and athletic ability of starting QB Josh Freeman. For the season Freeman has completed 77-of-115 passes (67 percent) for 1,105 yards with 11 TDs and 2 INTs.

In addition, Freeman has not been sacked this season. Sophomore Carson Coffman is the backup and has completed 10-of-20 passes on the year for 90 yards and one INT.

Freeman can also give defensive coordinators nightmares with his running ability. He has run 22 times for 113 yards and his six rushing TDs easily leads the Wildcats, since no other runner has more than a single trip to the end zone on the season.

Kansas State Rushing

In fact, Kansas State’s running game has been so unimpressive that they trotted out former WR Lamark Brown at RB last week. The results were good—Brown finished the game with 30 carries for 125 yards (4.2 per carry) and one score.

The bad news is that those rushing totals came against Louisiana-Lafayette, a team not exactly known for its imposing rush defense. Look for Brown to get the bulk of carries at RB this week.

Keithen Valentine has tallied 31 carries on the season for 118 yards (3.8 per carry) with one score, and Logan Dold has 18 rushes for 82 yards (4.6 per carry) and one score also.

Justin Woods’ 19 carries for 63 yards (3.3 per carry) and one TD finish K-State’s scoring on the ground. However, WR Deon Murphy had one rush for 44 yards. The Texas Tech defense will have to keep their eyes on him.

Kansas State Receiving

QB Josh Freeman has a plethora of talented receivers at his disposal. Leading the group is Brandon Banks. The junior has 22 receptions for 463 yards (21 yards per catch) and six scores. Aubrey Quarles is next with 17 catches for 199 yards (11.7 per catch) and one touchdown.

Jason Mastrud has 14 for 158 yards (11.3 per catch) and one score also. RB Brown has caught 12 balls for 118 yards (9.8 per catch) and one score. The aforementioned Deon Murphy has seven catches for 140 yards and two scores to finish K-State’s scoring through the air.

Texas Tech Passing

Texas Tech is 4-0, and the Red Raiders have a veteran QB who knows how to handle the rigors of an ultra-tough Big 12 schedule. Graham Harrell begins the conference portion of his senior campaign with modest numbers compared to the blistering start he had to the 2007 season.

In reality, those numbers still have the pin-point passer from Ennis near the top of every relevant passing category this season.

Harrell has completed 120-of-186 passes for 1,573 yards (65 percent) with 12 TDs and three INTs. Backup Taylor Potts has completed 10-of-16 passes for 132 yards.

Texas Tech Rushing

As is his custom, Head Coach Mike Leach continues to befuddle opposing defenses. In the Massachusetts game, it appeared as though the Minutemen were determined to keep the Red Raider receivers from having a banner day.

That must have been OK with Leach—he used RB’s Shannon Woods and Baron Batch to combine for 284 yards between rushes and receptions.

Woods leads the team with 43 carries for 276 yards (6.4 per carry) and seven scores. Batch is right behind him with 32 rushes for 240 yards (7.5 per carry) and two trips to paydirt.

WR Eric Morris has five rushes for 33 yards and one score. Aaron Crawford has eight carries for 26 yards and one score. QB Harrell has the only other rushing TD on the year for Texas Tech.

Texas Tech Receiving

Michael Crabtree leads Texas Tech with 29 receptions for 457 yards (15.8 per catch) with six scores.

He had eight games last season in which he tallied 10 or more receptions. So far this season, the sophomore has not reached double digits in receptions.

Detron Lewis is next with 21 receptions for 326 yards and one score. Lewis has been hot and cold this season, but Texas Tech may expect more out of him as the conference season progresses.

Senior Eric Morris has 19 catches for 229 yards (12.1 per catch) and two scores so far this year. The do-it-all dynamo from Shallowater also has a rushing score and a punt return TD on the season.

Freshman Tramain Swindall continues to prove that he is going to be a great player during his time at Texas Tech. He has 15 catches for 165 yards (11.0 per catch) and one score.

His TD total should be two, but one was taken away when a frustrated SMU defender ripped off Harrell’s helmet. RB Batch has 12 receptions for 160 yards, good for a 13.3 per catch average, but he has not reached the end zone through the air yet this season.

Edward Britton has nine catches for 87 yards (9.7 per catch) and two scores to finish Tech’s receiving TD’s. Britton has underachieved so far this season, but it has flown under the radar since the team has found other weapons in Batch and Swindall.

Look for the speedy junior from El Paso to assert himself the rest of the year. His ability to stretch the defense with the deep ball could be key against teams that will play a zone and attempt to keep the Red Raider receivers in front of them.

Intangibles

In most years, a road game meant much angst and gnashing of the teeth for Red Raider faithful. This is no ordinary season. Texas Tech has superior talent in all areas except possibly the kicking game.

The fact that this is the first major road test of the season should be enough motivation for Texas Tech to play like the championship-caliber team that it is.

Ron Prince and his guys have home-field advantage and the kind of QB who usually gives the Red Raider defense fits—a guy who can throw it, but also run for many yards if the passing play breaks down.

Prediction

Texas Tech- 42

K-State- 24

High-Flying Texas Tech Hosts An Efficient UMass

John Baucum — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:13:31 -0400

Introduction:

No. 11 Texas Tech hosts the Football Championship Subdivision No. 9 Massachusetts Minutemen Saturday at 6 PM in the Red Raiders’ final non-conference game before traveling to Kansas State on October 4.

Tech intercepted five passes last week against SMU and may need a similar effort against UMass considering QB Liam Coen’s 74 career touchdown passes trail only Graham Harrell’s 97.

UMass Passing

Senior QB Liam Coen directs the UMass offense. Coen has completed 61-95 attempts (64.2%) for 826 with nine TD’s and one INT. While the Minutemen won’t sling the ball like Texas Tech, they will utilize the passing game more than many Big 12 teams. Coen is accurate and smart so the Tech defense better be alert when he takes the snap.

UMass Receiving

Victor Cruz is the guy to remember here. He has 18 grabs for 351 yards (19.5 per catch) and two scores. Jeremy Horne (15 catches for 211 yards and three scores) and Julian Talley (six for 95 yards) are the other top targets for Coen.

UMass Rushing

Tony Nelson is the workhorse. He has 62 carries on the season for 362 yards (5.8 yards per carry) and five scores. QB Coen has UMass’ only other rushing score on 11 carries for 21 yards Korrey Davis has eight totes for 21 yards and Brandon White has three carries for seven yards.

Texas Tech Passing

Graham Harrell is coming off his best passing performance of the season. However, head coach Mike Leach isn’t happy with Harrell’s play. That is nothing but bad news for opposing defensive coordinators. Harrell has completed 93 of 152 passes (61%) for eight TD’s and three INT’s. Look for those numbers to improve this week.

Texas Tech Receiving

Michael Crabtree paces the Red Raiders in catches, yards and touchdowns. He has 24 catches for 395 yards (16.5 YPC) and 5 scores. Detron Lewis has 17 snags for 296 (17.4 YPC) with one score.

Eric Morris (16 catches for 197) and Tramain Swindall (12 catches for 130) are the only other receivers over 100 yards. Fans can expect more focus and effort from the receivers this week. Mike Leach wasn’t happy with some of the drops Tech had last week and made those feelings public.

Texas Tech Rushing

The Red Raider rushing attack continues to make big plays. Through three games, the offense has produced nine rushing TD’s after having a total of 18 in the entire 2007 season. All three of Tech’s RB’s are ultra talented and can cause problems for most any defense.

However, sophomore Baron Batch is beginning to emerge as the go-to guy. His explosive speed was on display during a dazzling 43-yard run last week against SMU and 13.1 yards per catch out of the backfield trails only Crabtree and Lewis. Big things are expected from the triumvirate and Batch is proving why.

Intangibles

Unfortunately for UMass, there is no rest for the weary. The Minutemen were No. 3 last week but lost a heartbreaker to No. 7 James Madison. Now, going on the road to face a talented Texas Tech team may be a different chore altogether.

QB Coen needs to watch out for senior safety Daniel Charbonnet. The reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week appeared to be SMU QB Bo Levi Mitchell’s favorite target. Charbonnet picked off three passes to establish a new school record.

If Mike Leach’s admonishments to his offense pay dividends and Tech’s “Swarm” defense is on point like last week, it could be a long, long flight back to Amherst. UMass may score more than the SMU squad, but they are severely overmatched in this one.

Prediction:

Texas Tech: 62

UMass: 17

Soap Box Moment:

I’ve heard a lot of people bash Texas Tech’s schedule this season. Folks, take your anger out on the rest of the major college football programs. Mike Leach has the Red Raiders in the upper echelon of college football and he refuses to go play an opponent that doesn’t want to come to Lubbock.

Coach Leach will take his crew anywhere—as long as they’re willing to visit West Texas also. Gone are the days when Tech would visit Columbus, Ohio or Tallahassee, Florida for a paycheck (and usually a severe beating).

It’s a credit to Coach Leach that teams don’t want to visit Jones AT&T Stadium, but it also says something about the BCS affiliated teams outside the Big 12. Also, let us not forget that Kansas made their first BCS game last season with the nation's easiest schedule.

Texas Tech-SMU: Watch for Explosive Offenses in Lubbock

John Baucum — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:22:15 -0400

Introduction

Texas Tech hosts former Southwest Conference Rival Southern Methodist University at 6 pm in Jones AT&T Stadium. Fox Sports Southwest will be showing the game. The Mustangs come to Lubbock with their own version of a passing offense.

Bring some snacks, folks. Even with the new clock rules, this game could be longer than most. Lubbock has also experienced quite a bit of rain the last couple of days, so the field might be a little soggy.

SMU Passing

Freshman QB Bo Levi Mitchell directs SMU’s offense. He is 49-80 (61 percent) for 614 yards with eight TDs and three INTs. He has also carried the ball eight times for -32 yards.

June Jones handed the reins to Mitchell, and as you might expect from a freshman, the results have been mixed so far.

In their first game, SMU started out with a 13-0 lead at Rice but fell apart and lost the game, 56-27. The Ponies rebounded last week in beating Texas State 47-36.

Backup Logan Turner has completed five of six passes on the year for 82 yards with one score and no INTs.

SMU Rushing

DeMyron Martin paces the rushing attack with 15 touches for 72 yards (4.8 YPC) and one score. Andrew McKinney is next with five rushes for 27 yards (5.4 YPC) but no scores.

Former starting QB Justin Willis, who hasn’t played much this season, rounds out SMU’s rushing stats with two carries for eight yards. Willis is a dynamic athlete who deserves to be playing in some form or fashion.

SMU Receiving

Emmanuel Sanders leads SMU’s platoon of receivers with 16 catches for 259 yards (16.2 YPC) and four TDs. Aldrick Robinson is on his heels with 15 for 263 (17.5 YPC) and four TDs as well. The bad news is that Bradley Haynes (two catches for 33 yards) is the only other WR to reach the end zone for the Ponies this season.

RB Martin had nine catches for 48 yards, Cole Beasley has five receptions for 34 yards, and Terrance Wilkerson has three for 33 yards. Josh Bryant, Andrew McKinney, and Zach Zimmerman round out SMU’s receiving stats with a combined three catches for 20 yards.

Texas Tech Passing

Senior signal caller Graham Harrell leads the offensive attack. He is 62-104 on the season (59.6 percent) for 833 yards with three TDs and two INTs. Harrell likely has something to prove after throwing for only 297 yards on 19-46 passing with one TD and two INTs last week against Nevada.

Texas Tech Rushing

Senior Shannon Woods leads the running game for the Red Raiders with 20 carries for 82 yards (4.1 YPC) and four TDs. Baron Batch is next with 11 touches for 87 yards and one score. Aaron Crawford has chipped in touches for 26 yards and one score.

WR Eric Morris got a rushing TD last week on a 13-yard scamper and now has three carries for 23 yards on the season. Fellow WR Ed Britton finishes the rushing numbers with one carry for nine yards.

Expect the Red Raiders to continue using multiple RBs this season. Woods, Batch, and Crawford are all dangerous, and Texas Tech likes being able to keep all of them fresh by rotating them.

Texas Tech Receiving

Michael Crabtree showed he still has it. The sophomore from Dallas had a remarkable 82-yard catch and run for a TD last week against Nevada. On the year he has 16 receptions for 231 yards (14.4 YPC) with two scores.

Detron Lewis has 12 for 209 (17.4 YPC) but no scores, and Eric Morris has 11 for 172 (15.6) and also no TDs. Redshirt freshman Tramain Swindall has been impressive. He’s made tough catches in key situations and so far this year has tallied eight catches for 99 yards, and no trips to pay dirt.

Edward Britton’s five catches for 37 yards and one TD is the end of Tech’s scoring through the air. However, RB Woods (three for 19), Batch (two for 21) Adam James (one for nine yards), OL Stephen Hamby (one for three yards), and Lyle Leong (one for 32) also have been active in the receiving game.

Intangibles

June Jones’ pass-happy offense may be more famous than Mike Leach’s due to Jones’ NFL experience, but this week the edge goes to Leach. In his first year at SMU, Jones is a long way from having a team capable of competing with the talent that Mike Leach has assembled in Lubbock.

Coach Jones may not be wearing a lei, but after the Tech game, he’ll wish he was back at Hawaii.

Prediction

Red Raiders 66, Ponies 13

Special Recognition

Jimmy Frush, the former Director of Marketing and Promotions at Texas Tech, is now the Director of the Mustang Club at SMU. Mr. Frush has been a mentor and friend to me and is a fine representative of Texas Tech. If you’re in Raider Alley, stop by SMU’s tent and say hello to Jimmy.

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

John Baucum — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:16:00 -0400

Introduction

Texas Tech squares off against the University of Nevada Wolfpack Saturday night at 8:05 PM. This game features teams whose offensive philosophies differ about as much as the Allied Forces disagreed with the Nazis.

Last week, Nevada churned out 426 yards on the ground and 203 through the air, while Texas Tech threw for 536 and ran for 103. Needless to say, something’s got to give.

Nevada Passing

6'6", 215 lb. sophomore QB Colin Kaepernick is the field general for Nevada. Last week against Grambling State, Kaepernick was 10-17 passing (58 percent) for 122 yards with no TDs and one INT.

However, as stated above, the Wolfpack run the football, and that’s where the young QB did his damage: He ran six times for 51 yards (8.5 yards per run) with three TDs. The two backups, Nick Graziano and Tyler Lantrip, finished the game a combined 8-13 with no TDs or INTs.

Nevada Rushing

Don’t hold your breath—it may take a while to get through all of this. Vai Taua led the Wolfpack rushing attack with 12 touches for 103 yards (8.6 per carry) with two TDs. Brandon Fragger wasn’t far behind with nine totes for 83 yards and one score. Nevada’s best RB, Luke Lippincott, finished with nine carries for 69 yards and one trip to the end zone.

QB Kaepernick’s three scores round out Nevada’s rushing scores. WR Marko Mitchell also had one carry for 31 yards, while Tray Session added a 17-yard run and Chris Wellington had a 13-yard run.

Nevada Receiving

No Nevada WR scored a receiving TD. Mike McCoy paced the receivers with six catches for 67 yards. Mitchell, a talented deep threat that the Red Raiders will have to keep an eye on, finished with four catches for 49 yards. Wellington had three for 42, and Lippincott added two for 33 out of the backfield.

Virgil Green added two catches for six yards, and Session caught one for six yards to finish Nevada’s receiving totals.

Texas Tech Passing

Graham Harrell took all the snaps against Eastern Washington last week and finished 43-58 (74.1 percent) for 536 yards with two TDs and one INT—pretty incredible numbers for a game that he called “sloppy.” If 74 percent is sloppy, I feel sorry for whoever we face when Harrell says he played well.

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

Texas Tech Kicks Off Season Against Retooling Eastern Washington

John Baucum — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:39:06 -0400

The Eastern Washington Eagles (#7 Football Championship Subdivision Poll) visit Jones AT&T Stadium to take on the (#12 AP, #14 Coaches’ Polls) Texas Tech Red Raiders. Eastern Washington comes into the game looking to pull off an upset similar to Appalachian State’s epic defeat of Michigan last season.

Eastern Washington Passing

EWU is led by Jr. QB Matt Nichols, who was 280-440 last season for 3,744 yards (63.6 percent) with 34 TD’s and nine INT’s. Nichols is also EWU’s second leading rusher with 129 rushes for 392 yards, but no scores. His Backup is Alex Smith who attempted all of 13 passes last season, so here’s to hoping that Nichols stays healthy.

EWU Rushing

The EWU ground game is led by senior Dale Morris. He carried the ball 198 times for 930 yards (4.7 YPC) and 12 TD’s. Morris also caught 11 passes for 77 yards and one score. After the aforementioned Nichols, senior fullback Alexis Alexander is next on the rushing list. He tallied 52 rushes for 267 yards (5.1 YPC) with five trips to paydirt. Alexander added five catches for 61 yards and one score. A.J. Jimerson, Bryan Jarrett and Nick Ramos each scored one TD to round out the Eagles’ rushing scores.

EWU Receiving

Aaron Boyce is the name to know here. The junior caught 85 balls for 1,308 (15.4 YPC) and 10 TD’s last season. No other player on the team has more than four receiving TD’s.

Brynsen Brown, Shane Eller and Tony Davis each had four TD’s. Nathan Overbay, Tom McAndrews, and A.J. Jimerson each had 3 TD’s. Matt Martin (2), Dale Morris (1), Alexis Alexander (1), and Nick Ramos (1) finish Eastern Washington’s receiving scoring.

Texas Tech Passing

Graham Harrell enters his final season at Texas Tech looking to improve on the stellar numbers he put up last season. Harrell completed 512-713 passes for 5,705 yards (71.8 percent) with 48 TD’s and 14 INT’s. Taylor Potts returns as the backup after completing 32-49 passes for 409 yards (65.3 percent) with three TD’s and one INT.

Texas Tech Rushing

Shannon Woods paces a trio of running backs that also includes Aaron Crawford and red shirt sophomore Baron Batch. Woods finished last year with 84 carries for 439 yards (5.2 YPC) and eight TD’s.

Crawford, who started the Gator Bowl after Woods was put in Leach’s dog house, had 54 carries for 214 yards (4.0 YPC) and four scores. Batch, a powerfully built speedster from Midland, did not play in any games last season but an extra gear of speed that neither Woods nor Crawford possess. Speedy WR Ed Britton had nine rushes for 52 yards (5.8 YPC) but no scores.

Texas Tech Receiving

Michael Crabtree begins his farewell tour in a Red Raider uniform Saturday night. The sophomore from Dallas led the NCAA in catches, yards and touchdowns last season. Keeping him out of the endzone will be about as hard as keeping him out of the 2009 NFL Draft (barring injury, of course). His 134 catches for 1,962 yards (14.6 YPC) and 22 scores last season will be tough to top.

Alongside Crabtree will be senior Eric Morris, who had 75 catches for 767 yards (10.2 YPC) and nine TD’s. Britton had 48 catches for 631 yards (13.1 YPC) and four trips to the endzone.

Detron Lewis, who takes over for Cowboys hopeful Danny Amendola, had 10 catches for 120 yards and three scores. Those are modest numbers but Lewis has wowed coaches and teammates with his skills. Fans should expect big numbers from him this season. RB Crawford, RB Woods (2 each) and Lyle Leong one score, finish Tech’s returning receiving scores.

Intangibles

EWU head coach Paul Wulff left in the off-season for Washington State. Beau Baldwin took over after spending last season as the Central Washington head coach and the previous four years as EWU’s offensive coordinator.

Considering that Wulff took many assistants with him to Washington State, the Eagles may not have had time to really gel as a team. That’s unfortunate, because Texas Tech returns all of their coaches but one asssistant coach, 10 starters on offense and eight on defense.

Leach and his Red Raiders have gotten a lot of publicity leading up to this season and now it’s time to prove they belong amongst the nation's elite.

Prediction:

Eastern Washington Eagles: 13

Texas Tech Red Raiders: 76

Texas Tech Football: John Baucum Q & A

John Baucum — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:59:56 -0400

1) Mike Leach was so disappointed in the Red Raider's showing in the spring game that he made them play it twice. What is your take on this? Is there an attitude problem amongst the Red Raiders or was it simply a poor showing in the first spring game?

There’s no real problem amongst the team. Actually, this group looks like a tight-knit bunch. The second scrimmage was closed to the public. However, according to Leach it was much more violent and active. The defense still dominated but it met Leach’s expectations.

2) Some people believe that Texas Tech is this year's Kansas. How realistic is this comparison?

Another Kansas? I say no simply because this Texas Tech team will not sneak up on anyone the way Kansas did. They are set up for a good season because they have lots of returning starters and more depth than any time in Leach’s tenure. Road games at Nevada, A&M, Kansas and Oklahoma will force the 2008 Red Raiders to earn their stripes.

3) There has been much talk surrounding talents wide receiver Michael Crabtree. Could it be that Crabtree ends up as the second sophomore in a row to win the Heisman? What would it take for Crabtree to accomplish this goal?

Crabtree has several factors working against him as far as the coveted Heisman goes. Chief amongst them is the fact that no receiver has won the award without returning kicks. It is not in Tech’s plans currently to allow Crabtree to be a returner. However, there is no denying that he is a very special player. He’s as good as Tech has ever had at receiver and the best the nation has to offer (with apologies to Percy Harvin and Jeremy Maclin.) The spread offense will hurt him because in some voter’s eyes he gets more catches than Maclin or Harvin, strictly from a receiving standpoint.

4) There has been a position battle at running back this spring, and most people agree that Shannon Woods has emerged out of the four contenders. Do you think it will be more of a running back by commitee or will Woods take the hunk of the carries? How many yards do you think Woods will be able to produce?

Actually, the odds on favorite to start is Aaron Crawford. The sophomore from Memphis, Tennessee surpassed Woods, who had a stint or two in Leach’s dog house and was sent home from the Gator Bowl by bus before the game took place. Woods is in the running but the competition got a little less severe with Leach’s announcement that the diminutive Kobey Lewis was suspended for the 2008 season. 4-star signee Harrison Jeffers could figure heavily into the discussion but he is awaiting ACT scores to insure qualification. One should expect both Crawford and Woods to play with Crawford getting the bulk of the starts.

5) Some experts have Texas Tech in their pre-season Top 25 ranking. This shows the tremendous expectations for this year (vying for a Big 12 South championship). Do you think the Red Raiders have any chance of capturing the Big 12 South title and which games will be big in determining this?

As I mentioned above, road games are the key to the season. In the rugged Big 12 South, it’s no cakewalk for the eventual winner. If Texas Tech can get to the OU game on November 22nd with only one conference loss, the Red Raiders will contend for the title. However, in addition to the road games, Texas Tech has a huge game with UT in the friendly confines of Jones AT&T Stadium. If the Red Raiders get past a Texas team that they haven’t beaten since 2002, they will be in a decent position to claim their first Big 12 title. The 2008 team looks like a great candidate to make waves. It’s time for the Red Raiders to take that next step and let their play on the field speak for itself.

Gator Bowl Preview: Texas Tech Takes On Defensive-Minded Virginia

John Baucum — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 15:03:08 -0500

Introduction:

In the 2008 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl, Texas Tech and Virginia compete in what is perhaps the most interesting non-BCS matchup. Virginia’s vaunted defense is led by Howie Long’s son, Chris, who won the Hendricks Award, given to the nation’s best defensive end.

Texas Tech’s offensive assault is led by Graham Harrell and Biletnikoff Award winner Michael Crabtree. The question is: which team can step up and neutralize the other team’s advantage?

Virginia Passing:

Offensively, the Cavaliers are led by sophomore QB Jameel Sewell. He has completed 200 of 341 passes for 2,098 yards with 11 TDs and nine INTs. In addition, the left-hander has rushed 115 times for 241 yards and four TDs.

Virginia Rushing:

Cedric Peerman, UVA’s top RB, was lost for the season October 6th against Middle Tennessee State. In his absence, sophomore Mikell Simpson has filled in admirably. Simpson has 93 carries for 400 yards and seven TDs.

Freshman halfback Keith Payne is built more like a fullback at 6-3 and 234. He has rushed 58 times for 219 yards and two TDs.

Virginia Receiving:

Simpson leads the Cavs in receiving, with 38 catches for 366 yards and one receiving TD.

TE Jonathan Stupar is next on the team, with 37 grabs for 344 and one score. Another TE, Tom Santi, has caught 33 passes for 402 yards and three TDs.

Maurice Covington and John M. Phillips have each scored two TDs, while Staton Jobe, Cory Koch, and Rashawn Jackson have each scored once.

Texas Tech Passing:

QB Graham Harrell leads Mike Leach’s spread offense. He has completed 468 of 644 passes for 5,298 yards with 45 TDs and 14 INTs. His current completion percentage of 72.7 will be a school record if it stands.

Texas Tech Rushing:

Shannon Woods’ eight TDs still lead Texas Tech’s rushing attack—but don’t expect to see the former starter in action. He has earned himself a prolonged spot in Leach’s dog house.

True freshman Aaron Crawford should get the start. He has 46 carries for 185 yards and three TDs. However, his primary impact on the game may be as a blocker—trying to help keep Chris Long and his friends off of Harrell.

Kobey Lewis has 42 carries for 156 yards and two scores. Elusive WR Edward Britton has nine rushes for 52 yards but no scores. Harrell’s four scores on QB sneaks complete Texas Tech’s rushing TDs.

Texas Tech Receiving:

History was made when Michael Crabtree became the first freshman to win the Biletnikoff Award. Don’t be fooled, though—the young prodigy definitely transcends the “system” label that has hovered over Tech’s program since Mike Leach arrived with both barrels blazing eight years ago. Crabtree’s 125 receptions, 1,861 yards and 21 TDs all led the nation.

Senior Danny Amendola is next with 103 catches for 1,177 yards and five scores. Eric Morris checks in with 66 grabs for 690 yards and nine TDs.

Edward Britton will start on the opposite side of the field from Michael Crabtree, after former starter L.A. Reed decided to try his hand at safety. Britton has 43 catches for 583 yards and four scores.

RB Crawford has recorded 30 grabs for 218 yards and two TDs. Grant Walker and Detron Lewis each have two trips to pay dirt, while Lyle Leong has one to complete Tech’s receiving scores.

Intangibles:

The dichotomy in this game is the old school, smash-mouth style of football that Virginia will play against the innovative, yet somehow underappreciated spread offense that Texas Tech deploys. Virginia comes into this game trying to forget about their season-ending loss to arch-rival Virginia Tech while Texas Tech’s last game was their nationally televised upset of Oklahoma.

It is odd that Texas Tech appears to be getting all of the media attention, since the Red Raiders will enter the game unranked, while Virginia is 20th in the country.

The biggest question mark for Virginia is how well the Cavaliers will match up with Texas Tech’s nontraditional offense and speedy skill position players.

Conversely, the biggest question mark for Texas Tech will be whether or not the offensive line can give Harrell enough time to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers.

With Virginia’s lack of experience defending the spread offense, and the recent announcement that starting CB Chris Cook will miss the game, the edge in this contest must go to Texas Tech

Prediction: Texas Tech 38, Virginia 24