Countdown To Kickoff: The Pre-season Top 50—No. 31 Texas Tech Red Raiders

No. 32  North Carolina Tar Heels

No. 31  TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Mike Leach knows what he wants and he has built his program at Texas Tech accordingly. His formula is set, his players fit the system, and the system works well.

His teams are always among the nation's elite on offensive side of the ball. They will throw the ball a lot and to everyone; the running backs will be shifty speedsters that can catch the ball; and the offensive linemen will be enormous pass protectors.

The defense will always be decent with a giant, but quick defensive front, speedy linebackers, and an even speedier secondary.

The formula almost worked to perfection in 2008, but Leach had Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree—two of college football's most electrifying players last season—and a veteran team.

This season, Leach will test his formula once again with juniors Taylor Potts and Detron Lewis.

Potts has the potential to be the next big-time Big XII quarterback. The 6-5, 215-pound has a bigger arm than his predecessor and has spent enough time in the system to know it backwards and forwards.

Looking to become a superstar on the other the receiving end is Lewis, a physical and precise route runner who averaged 12-yards per catch last season (the same as Crabtree) and finished second in receptions and yardage with 76 catches for 913 yards.

The backfield is loaded, by Texas Tech rushing standards, with three very quick, very good backs in Baron Batch, Harrison Jeffers, and Aaron Crawford.

With several new starters in the mix there will be some question marks heading into the season with the offensive line. But they are big and with some time could turn into a very solid unit.

The players are good enough to carry on the Mad Genius's offensive legacy. The season may depend on it.

The 2009 defense won't exactly fall off the map, but it won't be as good as the 2008 version.

The defensive problems start on the line where Leach must find replacements for McKinner Dixon, who is out of the mix because he didn't go to class and Brandon Williams, who took off early for the NFL.

It will be up to seniors Daniel Howard and Ra'Jon Henley to become pass rushing threats who can match the 13 sacks generated by the departed Williams.

The linebacking corps should help pick up the slack with a great trio in Brian Duncan, Marlon Williams, and Bront Bird to work around.

Safety is a big problem after losing Darcel McBath and Daniel Charbonnet, but Tech does have a lightning fast secondary with Jamar Wall leading a promising group of corners.

The 2009 Red Raiders will probably not be as successful as the 2008 version. With a schedule that includes road trips to Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, and Houston (yes, even Houston), as well as, home match-ups with Kansas and Oklahoma, winning 11 games may be too much to ask.

But there is reason to be excited in Lubbock, 2010 could be a banner year for the Red Raiders.