Texas Tech gameday

By Clark Goble

Friday, October 30, 2009

photo

Photo by Jon Goering

Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree breaks through the Kansas defense to score one of Tech's nine touchdowns during Saturday's game at Memorial Stadium. Crabtree finished the game with nine catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns. The Red Raider offense tallied up 556 total yards of offense for the game, the second straight game where the Kansas defense has given up more than 500 yards.

Offense

Coach Mike Leach will make his decision on whom to start at quarterback at game time, but don’t think Texas Tech’s offensive mentality will change too much, whether it’s junior Taylor Potts, junior Steven Sheffield or freshman Seth Doege at the helm. The Red Raiders have thrown for more than 400 yards per game this season and have just 557 total rushing yards. Graham Harrell picked apart the Jayhawks’ secondary last year and Leach will likely plan to try to do the exact same thing. Junior Detron Lewis is the main target, but a bevy of receivers get looks.

Defense

The Red Raiders’ defensive statistics are impressive considering other teams play from behind and must throw the ball. However, Texas A&M might have exposed a weakness in the run defense: The Aggies ran up 321 yards last Saturday. Junior middle linebacker Brian Duncan has 57 tackles on the season and leads the team. Senior defensive end Brandon Sharpe is a force to be reckoned with. He has eight sacks on the season, including four against Nebraska two weeks ago.

Special teams

Remember Matt Williams’ story? He’s the student-turned-starting-kicker who was given an opportunity to kick for the Red Raiders after nailing a 30-yarder in a promotion at halftime. He has been pretty solid in his second year for Leach, making four of five field goals with a long of 41 yards. In a typical Leach move, Texas Tech made a change at punter, opting to go with freshman Ryan Erxleben after Donnie Carona did not perform well early in the season.

Coaching

Leach truly started the passing spread offense seen in many different forms today when he took the reins at Texas Tech 10 years ago. In his first nine seasons, Texas Tech led the country in passing six times. His quarterbacks haven’t had success in the NFL, perhaps suggesting that the reason why the offenses have been so successful is because of Leach’s system. He is not afraid to make a huge switch at any position mid-game or take a big gamble on fourth down.

Momentum

The Red Raiders have ridden the proverbial roller coaster in the start of Big 12 play. They took a 10-point loss at Texas, then spanked Kansas State 66-14 and then rolled Nebraska 31-10. Then, despite dominating a Kansas State team that blew out Texas A&M, Texas Tech lost to Texas A&M by 22. Leach will have them ready to play and prove to the Big 12 South that they are still among the top dogs.

AT A GLANCE

This team isn’t too much different than the one that came into Lawrence last year and beat Kansas by 42. Tech’s quarterback situation is sketchy, but not because it is getting poor play from the position. Kansas’ secondary will be tested on nearly every single down on Saturday night.

photo

Photo by Ryan McGeeney

Carl Kramer, St. Louis senior, glances dejectedly at the scoreboard near the conclusion of Saturday's homecoming game against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders defeated the Jayhawks 63-21.

Player to watch

Freshman wide receiver Alex Torres

It’s not too often you find a freshman wide receiver making a huge impact, but Texas Tech’s system is giving Torres a chance to make plays. He had eight catches for 128 yards in the loss against Texas A&M. He hasn’t been flashy but he gets the job done. Expect him to have lots of catches.

Question marks

Who will start at quarterback for Mike Leach?

Leach was his typical mum self during Monday’s Big 12 teleconference when asked about who will be leading the Red Raider offense. He has said that Sheffield is a proven leader, but Potts is also capable. Apparently he also has confidence in Doege. Call this one a toss-up and try to catch some of the pregame warm-ups to determine who will be throwing all day long.

Will Texas Tech try to quick-strike for touchdowns?

The Red Raiders have scored in less than a minute seven times this season. Kansas has been victimized by the deep pass a few times this season, and you can be sure Leach will attack whoever starts between sophomore Daymond Patterson and freshman D.J. Beshears. Look for some early deep balls from Texas Tech.

By the numbers

2

Number of times a Texas Tech quarterback has thrown seven touchdowns in a game this season

6

Difference between Kansas and Texas Tech in voting points in the Associated Press poll

10-1

Texas Tech’s all-time record against Kansas

14

Penalties by the Red Raiders in their loss to Texas

470

Number of yards thrown for by Steven Sheffield in the first half against K-State

Comments

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Advertisement