Texas Tech Football Roundtable Chat: James P. Conway Q&A

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?

By most reports this spring was a very good one for the Red Raiders, until the Red/Black game. The game was dominated by the defense behind nine sacks and several interceptions. After the game, Mike Leach's disgust was evident in the post game press conference. Leach was very disappointed in the effort of his offense, specifically the first team unit. There isn't necessary an attitude problem with the team, but there has been a sense of complacency throughout the history of the school's program that has hurt the Red Raiders. It seems that in big games the team seems too confident in their own abilities and their performance says otherwise. This could be an issue for this year's Red Raiders, but one that shouldn't be evident if this team wants to live up to this season's expectations.

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

It's a fair comparison. However, Kansas came as a complete surprise where Texas Tech is expected to be good this year. If Texas Tech can have a season where they are 11-1 or 10-2 and win a BCS bowl game, then the comparisons will be made.

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?

There is no doubt that Michael Crabtree is the caliber of player that could win the Heisman trophy, however, if you look at the previous winners of the award, history says otherwise. The last two receivers to win the Heisman were Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson, but their play wasn't limited to just being a receiver. Desmond Howard was a very good punt returner which added value to his case as a Heisman candidate. Charles Woodson was also a cornerback and kick returner  that also added a different dimension to his play that ultimately won the award for him. Crabtree is strictly a wide receiver and due to the potential for injury the coaching staff has refused to let him return kicks and punts which would help his case for winning the Heisman. If Crabtree wanted to win the heisman he would have to have a better season than he did last year which would be very difficult, along with being a punt or kickoff returner.

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?

Going into the season one of the deepest positions on the depth chart was at running back. Freshman Aaron Crawford was the starter last year, Kobey Lewis was the change of pace back, Baron Batch was returning from injury, Shannon Woods was coming off a season that saw him suspended for the end of the season and being sent home from the Gator Bowl, and highly touted recruit Harrison Jeffers figured to possibly factor into the mix at running back. But much has changed the last few weeks. Two weeks ago Kobey Lewis was kicked off the team and recruit Harrison Jeffers has yet to qualify academically. Also you mentioned that Woods was figured to be the starter, and that is completely false. If the season started today Aaron Crawford would be the starter and he would be the favorite at this time. This season will be a running back by committee with Crawford being the starter and I would have to guess that Baron Batch would be the second string and change of pace back. The problem with Shannon Woods is that he has always had attitude issues that have kept him from living up to his potential, and reports in the program say that Shannon Woods isn't the same player that he was in 2006 when he led the Big XII in all purpose yards. Collectively I think that Crawford and Batch will combine for 1500-1600 all purpose yards.

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?

On paper this year's Texas Tech team is the best since 1977 and based on that they definitely have a chance at winning the Big XII South. As I mentioned earlier though this team must not get complacent and stay focused at all times in order to put them in a position to have a chance to win the Big XII South at the end of the season. The big games on the schedule are at Kansas, Texas at home, and at Oklahoma. If Tech is to have a chance at the South title they must go at least 2-1 in those three games. If they can win all of those games then they will likely have won the South if they beat the teams they were supposed to beat.