Texas Tech Football: Big 12 Title Hopes Rely on Defense

There hasn't been this much hype surrounding the Texas Tech Red Raiders since 1977, as the Red Raiders return 18 starters from a 9-4 team that won the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl over Virginia.

The offense returns every starter except wide receiver Danny Amendola.  The defense returns eight starters from a unit that led the Big 12 in total defense and came on strong after the firing of defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich and the promotion of defensive line coach Ruffin McNeil.

The offense includes quarterback Graham Harrell and 2007 Biletnikoff Award-winning receiver Michael Crabtree.  The one area of concern will be the status of right tackle Rylan Reed, who broke his ankle in the Gator Bowl and has yet to get on the field.

This unit led the NCAA in total offense last year and should not miss a beat in 2008.

As in previous seasons, the success of this year's team will depend on the performance of the defense, specifically their ability to stop the run.  They must also be able to win big games on the road with a schedule that includes many tests.

The strongest area of the defense is the defensive line that returns all of its starters—Jake Ratliff, Rajon Henley, Colby Whitlock, and Brandon Williams.  They will also add former freshman All-American defensive end McKinner Dixon, highly touted junior college defensive end Brandon Sesay, and Miami transfer Chris Perry.

This unit must be able to stop the run if this team wants to go to a BCS bowl.

The starting linebackers will be Bront Bird, Brian Duncan, and Marlon Williams, who all showed promising signs last year after the firing of defensive coordinator Setencich.

The secondary returns starters Jamar Wall and Darcel McBath, but lost cornerback Chris Parker and safety Joe Garcia.

Texas Tech is very deep in the secondary and should be able to replace those losses with the likes of cornerback LaRon Moore, cornerback Brent Nickerson,  safety Anthony Hines, safety Steven Harris, and safety Daniel Charbonnet.

8/30 Texas Tech vs. Eastern Washington (WIN)

This game should be no problem even though Eastern Washington was one of the better FCS teams last year and lost to eventual National Champion Appalachian State.

9/6 Texas Tech at Nevada (WIN)

This will be the first big road test against a formidable opponent that made it to a bowl game last year.  In previous years Tech has struggled in this type of game (i.e., New Mexico in 2004).

9/13 Texas Tech vs. SMU (WIN)

This could be one of the longest games of the year given SMU's hiring of June Jones in the off-season.  SMU will be improved, but not enough to beat the Red Raiders at home.

9/20 Texas Tech vs. Massachusetts (WIN)

Should be an easy home win.

10/4 Texas Tech at Kansas State (WIN, but could be close)

This is Texas Tech's second tough road game and their first one in conference. The Red Raiders won their last time in Manhattan in 2004, but much has changed with Kansas State and this could be a close game.

10/11 Texas Tech vs. Nebraska (WIN)

I expect Nebraska to be much improved, but this will be their first road game of the year and first against a team that throws the ball as much as Texas Tech does.

10/18 Texas Tech at Texas A&M (WIN, but could be close)

The Red Raiders have dominated the Aggies over the last decade, but historically every game at Kyle Field between these two teams has been close.  A&M will have a very young but talented defense that may struggle in this game.

10/25 Texas Tech at Kansas (Toss Up)

Kansas was the biggest surprise in all of college football last year.  They return most of their starters, but they did lose their defensive coordinator and all-conference cornerback Aqib Talib.  Texas Tech won the last time in Lawrence, but it was a close game that they won late.

11/1 Texas Tech vs. Texas (Toss Up)

This will be the Red Raiders' only real tough game at home in 2008, but they have only beaten the Longhorns once in Mike Leach's tenure.  I'm curious to see how new Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will game plan against Texas Tech's offense.

11/8 Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State (Win)

The series between these two teams has favored the home team—Oklahoma State hasn't won in Lubbock since 1944.  Oklahoma State has many questions in the secondary, an area that the Red Raiders will try to exploit.

11/22 Texas Tech at Oklahoma (Toss Up)

This game could be for the Big 12 South title and should be a good one regardless.  In the last three years, Texas Tech has a 2-1 record against the Sooners, but Bob Stoops is 50-2 at home.  Something has to give in this game.

11/29 Texas Tech vs. Baylor (Win)

Art Briles should have the Baylor bears much improved, but they are a few years away and Texas Tech should have little difficulty beating them.

Texas Tech will go to a bowl game for the ninth consecutive year, but the question is which bowl game it will be.

If the Red Raiders can go 2-1 against Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma then they should have a very good chance at a BCS bowl.

If they go 1-2 or 0-3 against those teams, then they will likely play in the Cotton, Holiday, or Alamo Bowl.