{mosimage}Texas Tech Red Raiders – (8-5 2006 record)

For the first time since the 2002 season, Texas Tech will have their starting quarterback returning. This could be very, very dangerous if not for the fact that they also only have one returning starting receiver coming back, as well as only one returning starting offensive lineman. Also gone is their co-offensive coordinator, who left to take the coordinator’s job at Arizona.

For the first time since the 2002 season, Texas Tech will have their starting quarterback returning. This could be very, very dangerous if not for the fact that they also only have one returning starting receiver coming back, as well as only one returning starting offensive lineman. Also gone is their co-offensive coordinator, who left to take the coordinator’s job at Arizona.

The Red Raiders were third in passing nationally, averaging 369.5 YPG. Which was the first time since the 2001 season that they did not lead the nation in passing. QB Graham Harrell, now a junior, passed for 4,555 yards, hitting 67% of his attempts while throwing 38 TDs and 11 INTs. Harrell can pass and pass and pass; he's also a fine field general, able to pick apart defenses. Tech has never ranked in the top 100 since Coach Leach arrived in 2000. Last season the team's rushing offense was ranked 112th and was led by the versatile Shannon Woods. Woods, now a junior, had 152 carries for 926 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 75 passes for 572 yards and 2 touchdowns. So they do get very good production out of their running back, just not the normal percentage of run to pass. Look for Tech to match the 32 plus points per game that they put up last season.

On the defensive side of the ball Tech held opponents to 25.1 PPG. Wait a minute! Can a defensive allow 25 points per game and it still be called “held”? When you score over 30 per game, I guess you can. The frontline is a big unknown for the Red Raiders. DE Joe Ratliff (3.5 sacks) is the lone returning starter. The only starter back on the LB unit is Kellen Tillman. The secondary brings back three starters, including junior corner Joe Garcia (87 tackles, 49 solo) and junior free safety Darcel McBath (75 tackles, 35 solo, 3 INTs), a dependable play-stopper. Senior CB Chris Parker (50 tackles, 37 solo) can control the best receivers in the conference. So it may be the same as last season when the best defense is to simply outscore your opponent.

Looking at the Red Raider schedule it looks to come down to 2 swing games against south division rivals Oklahoma and A & M. I see a win against the Aggies and a loss to the Sooners, give Texas Tech an overall record of 8-4 and 4-4 in conference, good for 4th place in the south and an 8th straight bowl appearance.

2007 Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location	TV	Time (CT)	StubHub Tickets		Gamble
09/03/07	SMU	Dallas, Texas		3:00 p.m.	Buy	Sell	Bet
09/08/07	UTEP	Lubbock, Texas		6:00 PM	Buy	Sell	Bet
09/15/07	Rice	Houston, Texas		7:00 p.m.	Buy	Sell	Bet
09/22/07	Oklahoma State	Stillwater, Okla.		TBA	Buy	Sell	Bet
09/29/07	Northwestern State	Lubbock, Texas		6:00 PM	Buy	Sell	Bet
10/06/07	Iowa State	Lubbock, Texas		6:00 PM	Buy	Sell	Bet
10/13/07	Texas A&M	Lubbock, Texas		6:00 PM	Buy	Sell	Bet
10/20/07	Missouri	Columbia, Mo.		TBA	Buy	Sell	Bet
10/27/07	Colorado	Lubbock, Texas		1:00 PM	Buy	Sell	Bet
11/03/07	Baylor	Waco, Texas		TBA	Buy	Sell	Bet
11/10/07	Texas	Austin, Texas		TBA	Buy	Sell	Bet
11/17/07	Oklahoma	Lubbock, Texas		1:00 PM	Buy	Sell	Bet

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (1)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

tra crabtree said:

	like this game bro 4 real
	report abuse vote down vote up

December 22, 2007
Votes: +0

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment