2007 - Season Review (part 1)

Well we've wrapped up the 2007 regular season now so I thought I would do a game-by-game review of what went on this year. There were high's and low's..."typical Tech" moments and a few moments that we haven't seen in the Mike Leach era. So without further ado...here we go!



Texas Tech 49 @ SMU 9 – Michael Crabtree introduced himself to the Red Raider Nation and America alike on this national TV broadcast on Labor Day. With 12 catches for 106 yards and 2 TD’s (including an impressive 42 yd catch and run that would become his “signature” throughout the season), MC’s debut in his hometown of Dallas was merely a sign of great things to come. (1-0, 0-0)

Fan Feeling – Crabs impressed everybody! The defense looked very good against what was expected to be a “good” SMU offense (we’ve since learned otherwise) that some experts (see Rivals and Scout) had picked to upset Tech. New guys on O-Line looked good in their season debut.



Drink – Two pints of Sam Adams Summer Ale @ Ginger Man in Uptown Dallas. Celebrate a nice victory...the sun coming out at the end of the Labor Day...and the end of summer. It's football season baby!!!



Texas Tech 45 vs UTEP 31 – Thank god for Crabtree, Amendola, and EMo. Those 3 caught everything thrown their way and helped Tech overcome a 28-17 halftime deficit vs the Miners. The defense on the other hand was overpowered by an underwhelming UTEP offense for most of the game before finally making a few stops in the 4th quarter to preserve the win. (2-0, 0-0)

Fan Feeling – This Michael Crabtree kid is good…like REALLY good. We’re staring a 7-5 or 6-6 season in the face right now as the defense is going to be torn apart in the Big 12. Not only was the run defense non-existent, poor tackling in the secondary allowed for the Miners to take an early lead and make big plays out of nothing. Do we even have a linebacking corps??? Maybe they can be used to support our DL…that would be a pleasant surprise.

Drink – 2 glasses…no better make it 3 of your choice hard liquor on the rocks at Adolph's. The "scenery" there is all that this team deserves at this point.



Texas Tech 59 @ Rice 24 – Crabtree has his first ridiculous statistical game. 12 catches, 244 yards, and 3 TD’s (highlighted by a 74 yd scamper in the 2nd quarter) leads to this blowout victory. The Tech defense is par for the course in playing one poor half against an overmatched opponent before settling in and remembering that they’re playing in the Big 12 for a reason. Tech moves into the Top 25(3-0, 0-0)

Fan Feeling – I’m sitting in a bar in Atlanta, GA watching this game. Everybody else there is watching Florida/Tennessee while I watch the GH 2 MC Heisman campaign slowly begin to take shape. Both guys have huge days in Houston and Tech plays it’s 3rd “home game” of the season…though only 1 game has been in Lubbock. Oh...and yay...we're the C-USA Champs!!!

Drink – 2 or 3 (I don’t remember how many) pints of Sweetwater Blueberry beer. It’s native to Atlanta and since I was in the ATL (for Georgia Tech vs Boston College) that day…it’s what I drank. I highly recommend you give it a try next time you find yourself out that way.

Texas Tech 45 @ Oklahoma State 49 - This game was depressing yet presented a ray of hope for the team. They lose a shootout in the final seconds when Crabtree can't hold on to a pass in the endzone on 4th down. The offense played great all game...but this game was the final nail in the coffin of the Lyle Setencich era. Leach made a very bold and unorthodox move by parting ways with Lyle mid-season. This leads to Ruffin McNeill being named as the interim Defensive Coordinator. (3-1, 0-1)

Fan Feeling - Oh well...another season of hope is gone. As I said to my fiance that day (we were in Vegas watching this game), "Well...there goes the National Championship." On the bright side, we have a new defensive coordinator so maybe that gives us a glimmer of hope for the rest of the season.

Drink - 1 Rampaging Gutbuster...wait...better make it 2 after seeing the drop on ESPN again. For those not familiar, this drink is 1 part absinthe, 1 part Bacardi 151, 1 part Jaegermeister, 1 8 oz can of Red Bull. Chill all ingredients until Red Bull is slushy. Pour Jäger and Absinthe over ice into a TALL glass, swirl. Add Red Bull slowly down side of glass, then ignite shot of 151 and drop it in. Drink while frothing.

Texas Tech 75 vs Northwestern State 7 - This is our token 1-AA beating game. I didn't go to this one (went back to Vegas for a wedding) but didn't really miss much. It's hard to take much from a game like this...other than the $$$ taken by NW LA for coming to the Lbk to receive their annual beating while helping to assure us of a winning season and bowl game.

Fan Feeling - No feelings one way or another. The defense performed well statistically, but that is as much a seperation in talent as anything else. As long as this game doesn't end with us giving up 28 points and 400 yards...then the feeling is indifferent.

Drink - Grey Goose...lots and lots of Grey Goose...and some Belvadere and Patron Platinum. Not because this was a top shelf victory or "one for the trophy room"...but because I was in Vegas and partying at places I couldn't otherwise afford to party. Many thanks to Mark and Sunny for a great trip, fun wedding, good nights in the VIP areas at the clubs....and LOTS of free, premium alcohol!!! Best wishes to you two!!!


This is the end of Part 1 of the review. I've covered the emergence of Michael Crabtree, the human-like qualities that emerged at the end of the Okie Lite game, and the coordinator change that ultimately played a part in the direction of this season. I'll be back with the rest of the season later.