3afan
01-24-2006, 06:13 AM
22. Texas Tech 2005 Record: 9-3
Why to get excited: This isn’t just a team with a gimmick offense; Texas Tech is a living, breathing, powerhouse of a program (one loss to Oklahoma State aside.) The offense, which finished fourth in the nation and first in passing, gets all the headlines, but the defense was also solid finishing 30th in the nation an 18th in the nation in scoring D. Outside of a few big losses in the secondary, the defense should fantastic again. It’s Texas Tech, so there are some nice non-conference games to fatten up on opening with SMU and with SE Louisiana before taking on the Big 12, but …
Why to be grouchy: … there are a few non-conference tests with road trips to UTEP and TCU. Forgetting about the slight struggle with Baylor and the loss to Oklahoma State last year, you want those two games on the road. Going away to face Texas A&M, Colorado, Iowa State and Oklahoma will be tough to get through unscathed. Yeah, Texas Tech always plugs in quarterbacks who throw for a gajillion yards, but unlike past years, it’ll have to go with a young player who hasn’t been around long. Graham Harrell has talent, but he’s untested.
Why Texas Tech isn’t listed among the national title contenders: Oh yeah, and there’s that national championship team from up the road who’s also on the slate. At best, this is a 10-2 schedule, but it looks more likely to be an 8-4 season.
Realistic, feet-on-the-ground, goal to shoot for: Second in the Big 12 South
The number one thing to work on is: More from the special teams. PK Alex Trleca was solid and should be a major positive, but the Red Raiders need to get more out of the kickoff returns after averaging just 18.64 yards per try and needs more out of the punting game after averaging 32.34 yards per kick.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Taurean Henderson
Biggest defensive loss: S Dwayne Slay
Why to get excited: This isn’t just a team with a gimmick offense; Texas Tech is a living, breathing, powerhouse of a program (one loss to Oklahoma State aside.) The offense, which finished fourth in the nation and first in passing, gets all the headlines, but the defense was also solid finishing 30th in the nation an 18th in the nation in scoring D. Outside of a few big losses in the secondary, the defense should fantastic again. It’s Texas Tech, so there are some nice non-conference games to fatten up on opening with SMU and with SE Louisiana before taking on the Big 12, but …
Why to be grouchy: … there are a few non-conference tests with road trips to UTEP and TCU. Forgetting about the slight struggle with Baylor and the loss to Oklahoma State last year, you want those two games on the road. Going away to face Texas A&M, Colorado, Iowa State and Oklahoma will be tough to get through unscathed. Yeah, Texas Tech always plugs in quarterbacks who throw for a gajillion yards, but unlike past years, it’ll have to go with a young player who hasn’t been around long. Graham Harrell has talent, but he’s untested.
Why Texas Tech isn’t listed among the national title contenders: Oh yeah, and there’s that national championship team from up the road who’s also on the slate. At best, this is a 10-2 schedule, but it looks more likely to be an 8-4 season.
Realistic, feet-on-the-ground, goal to shoot for: Second in the Big 12 South
The number one thing to work on is: More from the special teams. PK Alex Trleca was solid and should be a major positive, but the Red Raiders need to get more out of the kickoff returns after averaging just 18.64 yards per try and needs more out of the punting game after averaging 32.34 yards per kick.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Taurean Henderson
Biggest defensive loss: S Dwayne Slay