2007 Texas Tech Red Raiders College Football Picks & Predictions


June 6, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The Red Raiders in 2007 will not be pinning its offensive hopes on a new quarterback for the first time since 2002. Graham Harrell is back after a spectacular sophomore season. Harrell threw for 4,555 yards and 38 touchdowns while displaying the poise you would see from a seasoned veteran. He passed for 519 yards against Texas last season and sparked a dramatic comeback against Minnesota in the Insight Bowl while throwing for 445 yards in a 44-41 OT victory.

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Running back Shannon Woods is back with a dynamic big-play threat after leading the Red Raiders in rushing with 926 yards and led the Big 12 in all-purpose yardage with 139 per game. The problem is that Woods is always in the doghouse. Head coach Mike Leach publicly criticized Woods’ work ethic this spring while putting him third on the depth chart. For Tech’s spread offense to be at its best, the Raiders need a proven threat like Woods.

There are a number of questions along the offensive line. Only left guard Louis Vasquez returns from a unit that allowed just one sack for every 38 pass attempts last year. The Raiders only return one proven threat at receiver in senior target Danny Amendola. Junior L.A. Reed, redshirt freshman Mike Crabtree, sophomore Edward Britton and junior Eric Morris will have to get their act together quickly.

Three of four starters return in Texas Tech’s secondary to be the strength of this unit. This unit led the Big 12 by allowing just 182.4 passing yards per game. Joe Garcia, a hard-hitting strong safety who contributed 87 tackles last season, is a physical presence who can make stops anywhere on the field. Free safety Darcel McBath is also a proven playmaker. He had 3 interceptions last season and cornerback Chris Parker returns after making 50 tackles a year ago. The experience in this secondary will really have to carry this defense.

The front seven is a much more suspect unit. Jake Ratliff, Tyler Yenzer and Brandon Williams are solid players at defensive end. But the middle nose tackle positions will get picked on all season with two sophomores getting the starting nod to this point. Sixth-year senior Kellen Tillman is the only full-time returning starter among the linebackers. Seniors Paul Williams and Chad Hall will fill the other two starting spots. But even though these guys are in their final year, this is still a less-than-spectacular unit.

Most Big 12 teams struggle with Texas Tech on defense. When the Red Raider passing game is hitting on all cylinders, they can beat virtually anyone. Once again the defense will bet Texas Tech’s weakness, but when offense sells tickets, why wouldn’t they recruit primarily on offense year in and year out. The problem is that even their offensive line will be suspect this season, and the trenches on both sides could eventually be Tech’s undoing.

Odds to Win BCS:
Sportsbook:  200-1
Bodog:          90-1
BetUS:         +1200 (Field)

Odds to Win Big 12 South:
BetUS:         +425
Bodog:         +500

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