Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Texas Tech coach Mike Leach loves pirates. While other Big 12 coaches were tinkering with their offenses this off-season, Leach was reading books about pirates.
He certainly had no reason to change anything offensively. It’s been six years since the Red Raiders have thrown for less than 4,000 yards in a season. With the help of an experienced quarterback, Leach’s team will search for gold: a first-ever trip to the Big 12 Championship.
OFFENSE
The Red Raiders have led the nation in passing yards for four of the last five years. The unsung heroes of this accomplishment were the offensive linemen.
No quarterback throws for 400 yards a game without adequate protection. And for the first time, the offensive line is a question mark this season.
Junior tackle Louis Vazquez is the only returning starter on the line. Although he is one of the best in the conference, the line will allow a significantly higher number of sacks than in the past.
Junior Graham Harrel should still easily lead the conference in passing yards because he is the first Texas Tech quarterback in five years that will start for more than one season.
Junior running back Shannon Woods is a key component to the offense because he can both run and catch the ball. Woods averaged more than 130 all-purpose yards per game last year.
The Red Raiders lose their top two receivers but are obviously deep in that area. Senior Danny Amendola should transition from the third or fourth option to the number one receiver smoothly.
DEFENSE
Texas Tech not only throws the ball well, but stops the other team from throwing the ball well. The Red Raiders were second in the Big 12 against the pass last season.
They return three of their four starters in the defensive backfield in 2007. Senior Joe Garcia and junior Darcel McBath make up one of the conference’s best duos at the safety positions. Garcia lays punishing hits on opponents and McBath utilizes his speed to break up passes.
Texas Tech must be phenomenal against the pass this year to make up for its shortcomings against the run. Only two of the starting front seven return from last year. Junior defensive end Jake Ratliff earned Big 12 honorable mention accolades last year and must tutor the youngsters along side him in the trenches. Sixth year senior Kellen Tillman has struggled with injury problems throughout his career but needs to step up at his new position of strong side linebacker this season.
SEASON OUTLOOK
The Red Raiders are going to score enough points. The only question is how well they can play on the other side of the ball. The defense had been steadily improving in Lubbock, Texas. But 2007 may put a halt to that progression. Texas Tech’s non-conference schedule is devoid of any challenges. The Raiders play SMU, Rice, UTEP and Northwestern State. The Big 12 North opponents are easy, too, because the Red Raiders will host both Colorado and Iowa State. Things get a little tougher in November when their schedule concludes with consecutive games against Texas and Oklahoma.
PREDICTION
7-5, Texas Bowl
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