2008 Texas Tech
July 17, 2008
Make Leach and the Red Raiders return two of the best players in the country this season to lead an offense that will again be one of the most prolific in the nation. Now can their defense finally get some stops and to make Texas Tech a serious contender in the Big 12 South? Let the team at Info Plays decide with our 2008 Texas Tech Red Raiders football predictions below.
Offense:
Texas Tech has never had a Heisman Trophy winner in their school’s history. That could all change this season with receiver Michael Crabtree or quarterback Graham Harrell. Crabtree nearly reached 2,000 receiving yards and scored 22 touchdowns as a sophomore still learning his position. He went on to win the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. Harrell is probably the most polished and physically talented quarterback the Red Raiders have ever had under center.
Harrell has passed for 10.260 yards and 86 touchdowns in the past two seasons. Ed Britton, Detron Lewis and Eric Morris will be solid targets at receiver to go along with Crabtree. The offensive line could be one of the best units in school history, led by left guard Louis Vasquez. This whole unit returns intact. The Raiders are still in search of a starting running back. But any of the top four prospects in Aaron Crawford, Shannon Woods, Kobey Lewis or Baron Batch seem capable of producing in this explosive offense.
Defense:
When Ruffin McNeill took over as defensive coordinator following a disappointing loss at Oklahoma State last September 22, the Raiders have been so good they are even frustrating their own offense. Tech’s defense often outplayed its offense this spring, winning scrimmages and the annual Red-Black Game. It’s just a trend carried over from late last fall to lead Tech to the top of many statistical categories among Big 12 defenses. Darcel McBath has 26 career starts at free safety while cornerback Jamar Wall, who led the team with five interceptions last season, teams with McBath to lead the secondary.
The front seven is stacked with proven performers. End Brandon Williams will be a terrific pass rusher after leading the team with six sacks last season. Tackles Rajon Henley and Colby Whitlock are big-time run-stoppers in the middle. Senior end Jake Ratliff was a big part of the team’s revival last year, but transfers Daniel Howard and McKinner Dixon could take over his starting role. Dixon was a freshman All-American at Texas in 2005 before spending a year in junior college to work on academics. Brian Duncan is a beast at middle linebacker, while Bront Bird and redshirt freshman Tyrone Sonier are in a heated battle to win the starting strong side spot. Junior Marlon Williams is back at weak side linebacker, where he delivered 81 tackles last year.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Predictions at Info Plays: 3rd in the Big 12 South
Texas Tech hasn’t won an outright conference title since 1955. If the Raiders are ever going to get it accomplished, this has to be their year. Tech’s offense shouldn’t miss a beat, and could be even better than they were a year ago, which is scary considering they ranked 1st in the nation in passing yards per game at 470.3 and second in the nation in total offense at 529.6 yards per game. The defense keeps getting better, but Tech must prove it can be consistently good week in and week out. If the Raiders can be consistent, then a league title is within reach. Getting by Oklahoma and Texas won’t be easy, though.
Big 12 Wins Expected in ‘08: at Kansas State , NEBRASKA , OKLAHOMA STATE , BAYLOR
Potential Scares/Losses: at Texas A&M , at Kansas , TEXAS , at Oklahoma